Definition
The financial accounting term contingent liabilities refers to near-term debt obligations that cannot be precisely measured, or the actual existence of the liability is uncertain. Contingent liabilities are classified as a current liability if the debt obligation is reasonably expected to come due in a single operating cycle or one year.
Explanation
Current liabilities are defined as debts that must be paid within one year or one operating cycle, whichever is longer. The amount shown on a company's balance sheet is the full maturity value. Also known as estimated liabilities, in order to be classified as contingent, the debt obligation depends on one or more future events to confirm the amount owed.
If the likelihood of the future event is probable, a future event or events is likely to occur, and the obligation can be reasonably estimated, the company should accrue the expense and place the current liability on their balance sheet.
Examples of contingent liabilities include:
Lawsuits and Claims: pending, or exposure to, litigation that may result in a loss or assessment.
Product Warranties and Guarantees: a future claim a customer may have against the company if a product or service does not perform per the company's written warranty.
Promotional Discounts: includes redemptions of box tops, gift certificates, rebates and discount coupons.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage: includes deductibles and coinsurance claims as well as the risk of a denied claim or an underinsured claim by the company issuing the policy.
In addition to contingent liabilities, a company can also have determinable liabilities. This second classification includes debt obligations that can be precisely measured and are known to exist. Examples of this class of current liabilities include accounts, notes and dividends payable along with accrued liabilities and unearned revenues.
Related Terms
The financial accounting term current liabilities are generally defined as any debts that must be paid within one year or one operating cycle, whichever is longer. Current liabilities are a subcategory of liabilities, which appear on a company's balance sheet.
Moneyzine EditorJanuary 12th, 2024
The financial accounting term determinable current liabilities refers to near-term debt obligations that can be precisely measured. To qualify as a determinable current liability, the debt obligation is reasonably expected to come due in a single operating cycle or one year. There must also be certainty about the existence of the obligation, as well as the amount owed.Moneyzine EditorJanuary 16th, 2024- The financial accounting term valuation of current liabilities refers to the approach used to quantify debt obligations that are reasonably expected to come due in a single operating cycle or one year. While most liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet at the present value of the future outlays of cash required to eliminate this debt, current liabilities are typically recorded at their full maturity amount.Moneyzine EditorSeptember 21st, 2023
