Assets, liabilities & equity · Core
Prepaid expense
Also called: prepayment
ELI5
Payment made before the related benefit or service is consumed.
Used in conversation
“The headline changes once we calculate prepaid expense consistently.”
Pitch context
You will see “Prepaid expense” in financial models, budgets, board packs and investor materials when the discussion reaches assets, liabilities & equity.
Why it matters: In assets, liabilities & equity, different calculation boundaries, periods or accounting treatments can change the number and the decision.
Caution
Calculation, recognition and disclosure can vary by accounting framework, company policy and reporting context.
Sources & evidence · 4
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Financial Accounting Standards Board — FASB Accounting Standards CodificationDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Break-even pointSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Compliance and Disclosure InterpretationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16