Which of the following is an example of a current liability?

Current liabilities are obligations that a company is expected to settle within one year or within its operating cycle, whichever is longer. Accrued payables represent amounts that a company owes to its suppliers or employees for goods and services that have been received but not yet paid for. This includes items like wages payable, taxes payable, and interest payable, which are all expected to be settled promptly, typically within a short time frame.

In contrast, long-term debt refers to loans and financial obligations that are due beyond one year and therefore do not qualify as current liabilities. Accounts receivable represent amounts owed to the company by customers and are considered an asset rather than a liability, as they reflect money that will be received rather than money that must be paid. Investments typically refer to assets held for the long term, such as stocks or bonds, and similarly do not represent obligations to pay. This is why accrued payables is the correct answer as it accurately defines an obligation that needs to be settled in the near term.