Accrual Accounting vs. Cash Basis Accounting: What is the Difference? – Infographics

Business accounting is a method that involves the systematic recording, processing, summarizing, and communicating of financial and other non-monetary data about organizations. It includes budget preparation, costing, collection, analysis, reporting, policy planning, and preventive management. The significance of such can be seen from the fact that the business could not exist without it and would be unfeasible to run.

Business accounting differs from bookkeeping, which is primarily concerned with the recording of financial transactions. Bookkeeping involves the recording of daily purchases, sales, and receipts, and instructions for the preparation of accounts; however, the importance of this is often considered secondary to that of business accounting. Business bookkeepers commonly deal only with cash transactions in their accounting records.

The main tasks are preparing the financial records, maintaining accurate data, reconciling errors, and regularly updating accounting systems. Although bookkeepers are required to perform some of these same duties, they do not impact the organization’s ability to prepare reports and operate effectively.

With the widespread use of computers over the past few years, accounting has become more challenging for many business owners. As a result, more business owners outsource their bookkeeping and payroll needs to third parties in countries.

Another benefit that businesses typically find with an outsourcing arrangement is that the transaction cost involved is much lower than what they would experience if they hired a local employee or hired an outside third party to do their bookkeeping duties. In most instances, an individual business owner can save approximately twenty percent of the transaction cost by having their business accounting typically handled by a professional service provider. The cost savings that they experience also have a trickle-down effect on other aspects of a business.

Various free booking software is available online to help accountants with their financial operations. Despite these, the labor force still needs to choose which accounting method they will utilize, whether accrual accounting or cash basis accounting.

But what are the differences between the two accounting methods?

Take heed and write down notes as you read the infographic below with all the information regarding the uniqueness of accrual and cash basis brought to you by the best free invoice maker app company, KIPPIN:

Accrual Accounting vs. Cash Basis Accounting: What is the Difference?