devengado

Devengado is a term used in accounting and finance to describe revenues and expenses that have been earned or incurred during a given period, regardless of whether cash has been received or paid. It is a core concept of accrual accounting, which contrasts with the cash basis in which transactions are recognized only when cash changes hands. Under accrual accounting, revenue is recorded when the performance obligation is satisfied and collection is reasonably assured; expenses are recognized when they are incurred to generate those revenues.

In practice, devengo creates accruals such as cuentas por cobrar for revenues earned but not yet billed, and gastos devengados (accrued expenses) representing obligations to pay for goods or services received but not yet invoiced. Common examples include interest devengado, rent devengado, and salario devengado (wages earned by employees but not yet paid). These entries ensure that the financial statements reflect the economic activity of the period rather than the exact timing of cash flows.

The use of devengo affects financial statements by increasing assets through accounts receivable and increasing liabilities through accrued expenses. Revenues and expenses are recognized in the period to which they relate, supporting the matching principle and enabling a more accurate assessment of profitability.

In addition to accounting language, devengo can appear in legal or labor contexts to denote the portion of compensation that has been earned during a period, independent of when payment occurs. Overall, devengado captures the earned or incurred economic activity within a period, aligning recognition with performance and obligation realization.