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Bookkeeping Concepts - An overview
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Bookkeeping Concepts
The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of general Bookkeeping Concepts. These concepts are vital for small business owners or anyone wanting to study accounting or bookkeeping.
Definition of REVENUE
Revenues are inflows, or savings in outflows of economic benefits which lead to an increase in owner’s equity in the reporting period. Revenue inflows are usually from the sale of goods generated by a business or a performance of a service in exchange for a fee.
List of common Revenues of a business (non exhaustive)
Income from sales
Fees for services rendered
Interest received
Rental income
Dividends income
Definition of EXPENSES
Expenses are consumption or losses of economic benefit in the form of decreases in assets or increases in liabilities (these exclude drawings made by owners). Expenses usually arise from such things as purchase of inventory, rent, wages etc.
List of common Expenses of a business (non exhaustive)
Purchases of inventory
Utilities – electricity, water, gas
Wages & salaries
Rental
Depreciation
Advertising
Insurance
Office Supplies
Interest & borrowing expenses
Accrual accounting v Cash accounting
There are 2 methods of accounting. These are the Cash and Accrual methods. Essentially the differences in the 2 methods are due to the timing of transactions and when a transaction is recorded. Please review the explanation below for a better understanding.
Cash
Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized under the cash accounting system when cash is physically received (not when they are earned)
Expense Recognition – Expenses are recognized under the cash accounting system when they are paid (not when they are incurred)
Accrual
Revenue Recognition – Revenues are recognized under the accrual accounting system when they are earned (not when they are physically received) and can be realizable (ie there is a reasonable expectation that cash will be received in the future)
Expense Recognition – Expenses are recognized under the accrual accounting system when they are incurred (not when they are physically paid)
The matching Principle
The accrual accounting method is based on the principle that transactions are recognized by matching revenues to the corresponding expenses in the period which the transaction occurs rather than when payments are received or made. This principle is known as the matching principle.
Bookkeeping Concepts - An extensive guide
- Bookkeeping Concepts
Learn basic accounting and bookkeeping concepts. This site is designed to be as user friendly as possible with many examples used to reinforce your understanding of important bookkeeping concepts.
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