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Difference Between Accrual Vs Cash Accounting – All You Need To Know
Accrual vs Cash Accounting are two different methods that are useful in recording transactions. Further, knowing the difference between these two can help you in understanding their effects on your business.
| Particulars | Accrual Accounting | Cash Accounting |
| Definition | It records the Income & Expenses immediately when it arises | The recording is done when there is an inflow or outflow of cash |
| Method | Follows a double entry system of accounting in form of debit and credit | Follows a single entry system that records either inflow or outflow of cash |
| Accounts Receivable & Payable | Records all the transactions including account receivable & payable | Records transactions only related to Cash. Therefore, doesn’t record accounts receivable & payable |
| Income Statement | Shows higher level of Income | Shows a relatively lower level of income |
| Accuracy | High Accuracy | Low Accuracy |
| Suitable For | Suitable for large Companies | Suitable for micro and small businesses |
1. Meaning
Accrual accounting is an accounting where any income or expense is recognised as and when it is earned. In addition to this, it has no concern with the time of payment or collection of income. Whereas, the cash accounting, as the name suggests is a type of accounting where any income or expense is recognised only when there is an inflow or outflow of cash.
2. Single And Double Entry Accounting Transactions
Mostly people use single entry and double entry accounting type of transactions for their business. And under the accrual accounting, people use the double entry system. In this system, there is recording of each transaction under a minimum of two accounts. While one relates to the debit account, the other one relates to the credit account.
On the contrary, the cash accounting uses the single entry system. Under this system, people record transactions as single entries in their cash book or a journal. Moreover, this type of accounting only records the transactions wrt cash coming in as payments or cash going out as expenses.
3. Recording Of Accounts Receivable And Accounts Payable
The next major difference of Accrual vs Cash Accounting is in relation to recording of accounts receivable and accounts payable. To understand this difference, we need to know first the meaning of accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Accounts receivable is the sum of money that the debtors owe to your company. Therefore, it is a credit transaction in which there is earning of revenue before receiving of cash. It is so because it is an asset for your company for it indicates a pending payment which will come to your company.
On the other hand, accounts payable is the opposite of the accounts receivable. That is to say, accounts payable is the total money that you owe to the vendors for buying supplies on credit and payment is still pending. Therefore, it is a liability for you because it indicates a payment that you have to make to your vendor/seller.
The accrual accounting records both accounts receivable and accounts payable transactions but it is not the case in cash accounting. The cash accounting does not record these transactions because there is neither inflow nor outflow of cash.
4. Income Statement
Under the accrual accounting, the income levels are relatively higher than the cash accounting. This is so because under the accrual accounting, there is recording of all the transactions. That is to say, even if the payment has not been made by the debtor but is due, then the same is considered as income under the accrual accounting. However, under the cash accounting, there is recording of transactions only when there is actual inflow of cash.
5. Accuracy
Accuracy is the most important difference of cash vs accrual accounting. Since, accrual accounting system records all the entries wrt assets, liabilities and equity, it is considered to be more accurate than the cash accounting. Moreover, the cash accounting does not record the accounts receivables and payables, the balance sheet does not reflect assets or liabilities. Hence, cash accounting is less accurate than accrual accounting.
6. Suitable For Persons
At last but not the least, the big corporations having various assets, liabilities and equities make use of the accrual accounting. Whereas, micro and small businesses prefer cash accounting.
Now that you know differences between accrual vs cash accounting, choose the accounting method most suitable for your business. If you still have doubts, then click on the button below to Consult a Chartered Accountant