To decrease the balance of an expense account, you would?

To decrease the balance of an expense account, you would?

• A. Debit the account
• B. Increase the account
• C. Credit the account
• D. Decrease the account

Answer: (C)

Expenses normally carry a debit balance, so debits increase them and credits decrease them. To lower the balance of an expense account, you would enter a credit to that account. For example, if the expense shows 500, a credit reduces the balance to 400. The other options describe actions that either would increase the expense or are not specific about the entry needed. Therefore, crediting the expense account is the correct move.

Expenses normally carry a debit balance, so debits increase them and credits decrease them. To lower the balance of an expense account, you would enter a credit to that account. For example, if the expense shows 500, a credit reduces the balance to 400. The other options describe actions that either would increase the expense or are not specific about the entry needed. Therefore, crediting the expense account is the correct move.