What the difference between prepaid and accrued expense?

A prepaid expense is an expense you pay before you have incurred an obligation to pay it. Paying three months rent in advance is an example. Prepaid expenses are viewed as an asset on the balance sheet which is reduced as the expense is incurred. For example, every month in which rent falls due would be a reduction of your prepaid rent asset and a recognition of an expense equal to the amount of the reduction.

Accrued expenses, on the other hand, are essentially the opposite. For example, assume you didn't prepay your rent. As the rent expense is incurred, a liability is created. After you actually make your payment, the liability is reduced by the amount of your payment.