The balance in the prepaid rent account before adjustment at the end of the year is $32,000, which represents four months' rent paid on December 1. The adjusting entry required on December 31 is

A) debit Rent Expense, $8,000; credit Prepaid Rent, $8,000
B) debit Prepaid Rent, $24,000; credit Rent Expense, $8,000
C) debit Rent Expense, $24,000; credit Prepaid Rent, $8,000
D) debit Prepaid Rent, $8,000; credit Rent Expense, $8,000

Prepaid Rent

An expense that has been paid in advance, recorded as an asset on the balance sheet, and allocated over the period the payment covers.

Rent Expense

An accounting term that refers to the cost incurred by a company to utilize property or equipment for business operations, typically recognized over the lease term.

Adjusting Entry

An entry made in the books of accounts to correct or allocate incomes and expenditures to the appropriate accounting periods.