Which journal entry reflects depreciation expense recognizing depreciation over time?

• A. Debit Depreciation Expense, Credit Cash
• B. Debit Cash, Credit Depreciation Expense
• C. Debit Accumulated Depreciation, Credit Depreciation Expense
• D. Debit Depreciation Expense, Credit Accumulated Depreciation

Answer: (D)

Depreciation expense is recognized to allocate the cost of a long‑term asset over its useful life and is a non‑cash expense. The appropriate journal entry increases the expense for the period and increases the accumulated depreciation, a contra‑asset that lowers the asset’s book value on the balance sheet. Therefore you debit Depreciation Expense to reflect the cost incurred this period and credit Accumulated Depreciation to accumulate total depreciation over time. Cash is not affected by depreciation, so debiting or crediting Cash would be incorrect. Debiting Accumulated Depreciation would reduce the contra‑asset, which doesn’t match the recording of more depreciation this period.