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Balance sheet (deeper)

Deferred Revenue

Cash collected for goods or services not yet delivered — a liability, not income, until earned.

Part of the Reading Financial Statements course · Lesson 21 of 33

What it is

Deferred revenue is money a company has already collected but has not yet earned because the product or service still has to be delivered. It sits on the balance sheet as a liability, often called unearned revenue or a contract liability. As the company delivers, it moves the amount into reported revenue.

Why it matters

For subscription and software businesses, deferred revenue is a leading indicator of future sales already paid for, hinting at revenue visibility. It is also a sign of pricing power when customers pay upfront. Because the cash is in hand but the obligation remains, it shapes both liquidity and how you read the income statement.

How it's calculated

It is recorded when cash is received ahead of delivery, then reduced (and recognized as revenue) as the obligation is fulfilled; there is no ratio formula, it is a balance taken directly from the liabilities section.

How Quintarthai uses it

Deferred or unearned revenue, when material, appears in the liabilities section of the Financials tab on a company page.

Cross-border note. Both US GAAP (ASC 606) and IFRS 15 use the term 'contract liabilities' for this item and apply nearly identical revenue-recognition rules, so deferred revenue is treated consistently for Canadian and US issuers.

FAQ

Why is deferred revenue a liability if cash was received?
Because the company still owes the customer a product or service. Until it delivers, that obligation is a liability; the revenue is only recognized once the work is done.
Is growing deferred revenue good?
Usually yes for subscription firms, since it signals customers prepaying for future periods. But it should be read alongside revenue growth, because a buildup with flat revenue can also mean delayed delivery.
Related terms
See Deferred Revenue on a real company
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