Debit vs Credit in Accounting

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Differences Between Debit and Credit

Debit is an accounting entry made on the left hand side that which leads to either increase in the asset account or expense account, or lead to decrease in the liability account or equity account of the company, whereas, Credit is an accounting entry on the right-hand side which leads to either decrease in the asset account or expense account, or lead to increase in the liability account or equity account of the company.

They are the cornerstones of accounting. If you want to learn accounting, debit and credit would be the first concepts you would learn.

In business, many financial transactions take place in a financial period. As an accountant, it’s our job to look at the transactions, find out all the accounts, and then identify each account as either debit or credit.

Before we go in detail, we need to understand the double-entry system. The double entry system means every transaction would have two accounts – one would be debit, and another would be credit. For example, if Company A withdraws cash of $10,000 from the bank, this transaction will involve two accounts under the double-entry system. One would be cash, and another would be a bank.

If you are new to accounting, you may have a look at this Basic Tutorial on Accounting.

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Debit-vs-Credit

Debit vs. Credit Accounting Infographics

Let's see the top differences between debit vs. credit accounting.

Debit vs Credit in Accounting infographics

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Key Differences

  • In most cases, when debit increases the account, the credit decreases the account and vice versa. One of the most prominent exceptions is when cash is being introduced to business as capital. Here, both accounts are increasing, but “cash” would be debited, and “capital” would be credited.
  • Debit usually denotes the usage of one account. And credit usually indicates the source of another account.
  • We debit the account when the asset/expenses account increases, and the liability/income account decreases. We credit the account when the asset/expenses account decreases, and the liability/income account increases.
  • Debit and credit are the cornerstones of the double-entry system. Without anyone's account, another can’t exist.
  • The debit is the effect of crediting another account and vice-versa.
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Comparative Table

Basis for Comparison DebitCredit
1. DefinitionIt is the use of value for a transaction.It is the source of value for a transaction.
2. ApplicationIt is used to express the increase/decrease of assets & expenses or liabilities & incomes.Credit is used to express the increase/decrease of liabilities & incomes or assets & expenses.
3. In JournalThe debit is the first account that is recorded.Credit is recorded after the debit account, followed by the word “To”.
4. Placement in T-formatIt is always placed on the right side.It is always placed on the left side.
5. Equation“Assets = Liabilities + Equity” is affected by debiting one account.“Assets = Liabilities + Equity” is affected by also crediting one account.
6. Balancing actUnder the double-entry system, debit alone can’t balance the whole transaction.Similarly, credit also can’t balance the whole transaction without the assistance of a debit account.
7.    Example “Sales  for cash.”As “cash” increases, we will debit “cash.”As “sales” increases, we will credit “sales.”

Conclusion

Debit and credit exist together, like twins in accounting. If you understand one, understanding another becomes much simpler.

The rules of accounting are obvious. If you can just remember what increases and what decreases, you would be able to identify which account should be debited and which account should be credited.

All you need to do is to take an example and try out. Pick any transaction of a business and try to record a journal entry. You will easily be able to understand the meaning and application of debit and credit.

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