Accounting for Bonds

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From the perspective of the issuer of a bond, there are several transactions to record during the lifespan of the bond. These transactions are:

Bond Issuance

When a bond is issued at its face amount, the issuer receives cash and records a liability for the bonds issued. The entry is:

	Debit	Credit
Cash	xxx
Bonds payable		xxx

If investors buy the bonds at a discount, the difference between the face value of the bonds and the amount of cash received is recorded in a discount on bonds payable account. This happens when investors want a higher return on their investment. The entry would be:

	Debit	Credit
Cash	xxx
Discount on bonds payable	xxx
Bonds payable		xxx

If investors buy the bonds at a premium, the difference between the face value of the bonds and the amount of cash received is recorded in a premium on bonds payable account. This happens when investors are willing to accept a lower return on their investment. The entry would be:

	Debit	Credit
Cash	xxx
Premium on bonds payable		xxx
Bonds payable		xxx

There may be a variety of bond issuance costs, such as commissions, legal expenses, printing costs, and registration fees. These costs are recorded in an asset account, and then charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the bond. The initial entry would be:

	Debit	Credit
Other assets	xxx
Cash		xxx

Interest Payments

The recorded amount of interest expense is based on the interest rate stated on the face of the bond. Any further impact on interest rates is handled separately through the amortization of any discounts or premiums on bonds payable, as discussed below. The entry for interest payments is a debit to interest expense and a credit to cash.

Amortizations

If a discount or premium was recorded when the bonds were issued, the amount must be amortized over the life of the bonds. If the amount is small, it can be calculated on a straight-line basis. If the amount is material, or if a greater degree of accuracy is desired, calculate the periodic amortization using the effective interest method.

If there was a discount on bonds payable, then the periodic entry is a debit to interest expense and a credit to discount on bonds payable; this has the effect of increasing the overall interest expense recorded by the issuer. If there was a premium on bonds payable, then the entry is a debit to premium on bonds payable and a credit to interest expense; this has the effect of reducing the overall interest expense recorded by the issuer.

The periodic amortization of bond issuance costs is recorded as a debit to financing expenses and a credit to the other assets account.

Bond Redemption

When it is time to redeem the bonds, all premiums and discounts should have been amortized, so the entry is simply a debit to the bonds payable account and a credit to the cash account.