Which of the following accounts does not have a normal balance as a credit?

In accounting, each type of account has a classification that determines its normal balance. A normal balance refers to the side of the account (debit or credit) that is typically increasing for that account type.

Expenses are accounts that record costs incurred by a business. They naturally increase through debits and decrease through credits, meaning their normal balance is a debit. When a business incurs an expense, it increases the expense account with a debit entry, leading to a decrease in profits on the income statement.

In contrast, revenue accounts, contributed capital, and equity accounts normally have a credit balance. Revenues, when earned, are credited to increase income, contribute to profits, and ultimately increase equity for shareholders. Contributed capital reflects the owners' investments and normally increases with credit entries, aligning with the typical rise in equity.

Understanding the normal balance of various accounts is critical for proper financial reporting and ensuring the integrity of financial statements. Hence, identifying that expense accounts do not have a normal balance as credit reinforces fundamental accounting principles.