Double Entry System

In the Double Entry System, transactions have a dual aspect, and every
transaction involves two parties – debit and credit, where and they are equal.

Double Entry system seeks to record every transaction in money or

money’s worth in its double aspect – the receipt of a benefit by one account
and the surrender of similar benefit by another account, the former entry
being to the debit of the account receiving the later to the credit of the
account surrendering.

What is Double-Entry System?

The most scientific and reliable method of accounting is the Double Entry
System. One must have a clear conception of the nature of the transaction to
understand the double-entry system.

Every transaction involves two parties or accounts – one account gives the
benefit, and the other receives it.

It is called a dual entity of transaction.

In every transaction, the account receiving a benefit is debited, and the account
giving benefit is credited.

The process of keeping account accepting this dual entity i.e., debiting one
account for a definite amount of money and crediting the other account for the
same amount, is called a double-entry system.

Every transaction affects the accounting equation of a business. Dual change

may take place between two assets.

For example, machinery purchase in cash.

Here machinery account receives the benefit, and the cash account gives the
benefit, or the amount of decrease in cash will give an increase of machinery for
the same amount.
Again this change may take place between two liabilities.

For example, to meet up the claim of a creditor taking a long-term loan.

Here long-term liability is credited abolishing the short term liability of creditor.
Besides, this change may take place between assets and liabilities.

For example, furniture purchased on credit.

Here asset is debited for a particular amount, and at the same time, an equal
amount of liability is also credited.

Since every transaction brings changes in assets for an equal sum of money or
asset and liability or liabilities, the transactions are to be recorded according to a
double-entry system to know the accurate position of assets and liabilities of a
business concern.

If accounts are maintained under a double-entry system, two accounts are

affected.

One is debited, and another is credited. This is the main principle of the double-
entry system.

To make the matter clear some examples are given below;

Mr. Angel invested cash 200,000 FCFA in his business as capital. This
transaction involves two accounts – Cash Account and Capital Account –
Angel. For this transaction, asset-cash increases for 200,000 FCFA on one side,
and the other side, liability increases for 200,000 FCFA as capital, which is the
claim of the owner. This transaction is to be recorded debiting cash and
crediting capital accounts. If the transactions are not recorded in two accounts,
proper results are not reflected. Furniture purchased for 20,000 FCFA. This
transaction involves two accounts – a furniture account and a cash account.

For this transaction, cash decreases for 20,000 FCFA, and furniture increases by
2,000 FCFA. Here, the furniture account is debited, and the cash account is
credited for 2,000 FCFA cash. In another way, the transaction changes only. An
element of accounting equation i.e., A = L + P.
 It is clear from the above discussion that every transaction is to be recorded in
two accounts – one is debited, and the other is credited.

The main principle of the double-entry system is that for every debit there is a
corresponding credit for an equal amount of money and for every credit there is
a corresponding debit for an equal amount of money; i.e., for every transaction
one account is debited for the amount of transaction and the other account is
credited for the equal amount of money.

Therefore, it can be said that the system under which every transaction is
accounted in two accounts for the equal amount of money debiting one and
crediting the other ignoring no account is called a double-entry system.

Every debit must have a corresponding credit and Vice – Versa. Double-
entry Book-Keeping is a system by which every debit entry is balanced by an
equal credit entry.

Characteristics or Fundamental Principles of Double Entry System

The double-entry system is a scientific, self-sufficient, and reliable system of

accounting. Following some widely accepted characteristics or principles, the
account is kept under this system.

As a result, on one side, the arithmetical accuracy of the transaction is ensured,

and on the other side, ascertainment of the financial position of the business is
easily possible.

Characteristics of the double-entry system are stated below;

 Two parties: Every transaction involves two parties – debit and credit.
According to the main principles of this system, every debit of some amount
creates corresponding credit, or every credit creates the corresponding debit for
the same amount.

 Giver and receiver: Every transaction must have one giver and one receiver.

 Exchange of equal amount: The amount of money of a transaction the party

gives is equal to the amount the party receives.
 Separate entity: Under this system, business is treated as a separate entity from
the owner. Here the business is considered as a separate entity.

 Dual aspects: Every transaction is divided into two aspects. The left side of the
transaction debit and the right side is credit.

 Results: Under double entry system totality of debit is equal to the totality of
credit. In its ascertainment of the result is easy.

 Complete accounting system: Double entry system is a scientific and complete

accounting system.

Through this system, the account is kept completely, and no party is ignored. In
fine, it can be said that every transaction must possess these characteristics.

If there is an exception to this, complete information will not be available in the

books of accounting. As a result, the main objective of accounting will be
frustrated.

The process of keeping accounts under the double-entry system;

1. Journal: At first, transactions are recorded in the primary book of accounting

called a journal.

2. Ledger: In the second phase, transactions are classified and recorded

permanently in the ledger in brief.

3. Trial balance: In the third phase, the arithmetical accuracy of the account is
verified through the preparation of the trial balance.

4. Financial statements: In the fourth or final stage through financial

statements, the results of all the financial activities of a year are
determined.

Advantages of Double Entry System

The double-entry system is the most scientific method of keeping accounts. In

the modem age, this system is accepted as the best one.
In every organization, whether big or small accounts are kept under the double-
entry system.

The advantages of the double-entry system are stated in brief;

Complete accounts of transactions

The double-entry system can keep complete accounts of transactions as it is

based on dual aspects of each transaction, i.e., debit and credit, are recorded
simultaneously.

For this reason, this system maintains accounts of all parties relating to
transactions.

Verification of arithmetical accuracy

Arithmetical accuracy of accounting can be verified through the preparation of

trial balance if the accounts are maintained under the double-entry system.

Under this system, every debit for a certain amount of money will have
corresponding credit for an equal amount.

For this reason, the total amount of debt will be equal to the total amount of
credit. It can be detected through trial balance whether two sides of accounts are
equal or not, and thereby the arithmetical accuracy of the account is verified.

Determining profit or loss

Under the double-entry system, profit or loss of the company for a particular
accounting period can be known by preparing an income statement.

Since all accounts relating to income and expenditure are maintained properly
in the ledger under the double-entry system, it becomes convenient to draw
income statement at the end of a particular accounting period.

Determining the financial position

Under the double-entry system, the total assets and liabilities of a business
concern are recorded properly.
As a result, on the closing day of the accounting period balance sheet is
prepared with the help of all assets and liabilities. Through this balance sheet
financial position of the business concerned can be ascertained.

Knowing assets and liabilities

The total amount of assets and liabilities can be ascertained if the account is
kept under a double-entry system, and it becomes easier to settle liability and
assets.

Fixation of the price of commodities

It becomes easier to fix-up the price of commodities as the accounts are

maintained systematically under the double-entry system.

Submission of income and VAT statements

The double-entry system being the reliable system of keeping accounts the
submission of reliable income and VAT statement under it is possible based on
which income tax and VAT are fixed and paid.

Comparative analysis

Under this system of accounting, the future course of action can be formulated
by comparing income -expenditure, asset, and liability of the current year with
that of the previous year.

Increase in profit

Under this system of accounting, the picture of all incomes or profits is

reflected.

It can be identified which item is more profitable for a business comparing the
items relating to a profit of the current year with that of the previous year.

In this way, attempts can be made to make more profit.

Expenditure control
Through comparative analysis, expenditure may be controlled by curtailing
expensive expenditure.

Detection and prevention of forgery

Under this system of accounts, errors, or forgery of accounts can easily be

detected. As a result, the moral qualities of an accountant and other employees
are upheld.

Supply of information

This system helps run the business properly, supplying necessary information
and statistics to the management.

Future reference

Under this system, as every transaction is permanently recorded properly and

completely, any necessary information can be detected easily in the future.

Easy application

It is easier to record the transactions properly in the books of accounts following

the scientific method of the double-entry system.

Generally accepted method

The double-entry system is a scientific method, is a generally accepted system.

The accounts under the double-entry system become reliable and acceptable to
all concerned, like income tax authority, creditors, etc.

Efficiency evaluation of business concern

Capacity for earning a profit and repaying liabilities can be evaluated with the
help of various ratios relating to accounts from financial statements.

For example, creditors or loan givers evaluate the loan repaying capacity of a
business concern with the help of the current ratio. If the ratio is 2:1, then it is
assumed that the loan repaying capacity of the business concern is sound
enough.
Timely step for correcting accounting errors

Accounting errors can properly be detected, and taking necessary measures for
correction is possible under a double-entry system of accounting; i.e., before
going to the next stage, the errors of accounting can be corrected.

Utility

The utility and application of this system in the accounts of all business
concerns, whether big, medium or small, are accepted by all.

Disadvantages or Limitations of Double Entry System

The double entry system is a generally accepted scientific method. Despite its
many important advantages, some limitations of it exist which are stated below:

Increased size of books of accounts

Under the double-entry system, every transaction is recorded on two sides of

two accounts and in two steps (Journal & ledger) of books of accounts.

Complexity in the accounting process

Complexity arises in following rules, principles, techniques, and methods, etc.

for keeping accounts under the double-entry system.

Expensive, time and labour-consuming

Since the accounting process under the double-entry system is extensive, a good
number of books are to be kept, and a large number of employees are employed
for accounting work.

As a result, it requires enough labour, time, and money. Therefore, it becomes

impossible to follow this system by small business concerns.

Persons of specialized knowledge required.

The accountant should possess both theoretical and practical knowledge of

accounting for the proper keeping of accounts under the double-entry system.
An inexperienced person in accounting fails and faces problems in
maintaining accounts under this double-entry system.

Possibility of mistake

As the accounting process under the double-entry system is complex and

complicated, the possibility of errors and mistakes cannot be avoided
completely.

The limited scope of application

In a small business organization, daily shopping, a cultural ceremony, the

application of a single entry system of accounting is more popular and
advantageous than the double-entry system.

A problem in maintaining the secrecy

A lot of people are engaged in maintaining accounts under the double-entry

system since the accounting process is very wide and extensive.

As a result, a problem arises in maintaining the secrecy of the accounts or

business.

Though there arise some problems in maintaining accounts under double entry
systems, its advantages and acceptability are so wide and comprehensive that at
present age in almost all field accounts is kept under this system.