Where is retained earnings found?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on January 01, 2026
shareholder’s equity
It’s important to note that retained earnings are an accumulating balance within shareholder’s equity on the balance sheet. Once retained earnings are reported on the balance sheet, it becomes a part of a company’s total book value.
Which appears first in a statement of retained earnings?
The first item on the statement of retained earnings should be the balance of retained earnings you’re carrying over from the prior year. This figure comes from the prior year’s balance sheet.
Where is retained earnings on the balance sheet?
equity section
Retained earnings are listed under liabilities in the equity section of your balance sheet. They’re in liabilities because net income as shareholder equity is actually a company or corporate debt.
Is beginning retained earnings an asset?
Are retained earnings an asset? Retained earnings are actually reported in the equity section of the balance sheet. Although you can invest retained earnings into assets, they themselves are not assets.
Is retained earnings in the income statement?
Retained earnings are the cumulative net earnings or profit of a company after paying dividends. Retained earnings are the net earnings after dividends that are available for reinvestment back into the company or to pay down debt. 1 Uncommonly, retained earnings may be listed on the income statement.
What is included in the retained earnings statement?
A statement of retained earnings can be a standalone document or appended to the balance sheet at the end of each accounting period. It leads with the retained earnings reported at the beginning of the period. Then, it lists balance adjustments based on changes in net income, cash dividends, and stock dividends.
Is retained earnings considered an asset?
Is retained earnings on the income statement?
Can you spend retained earnings?
Retained earnings can be used to pay additional dividends, finance business growth, invest in a new product line, or even pay back a loan. Most companies with a healthy retained earnings balance will try to strike the right combination of making shareholders happy while also financing business growth.