The terms debit and credit are derived from Latin terminology. Debit is derived from the Latin word ‘Debere’ which means to ‘to owe. Credit is derived from the Latin word ‘Credere’ which is translated as ‘to entrust’
In a standard general ledger or ledger account, a debit entry is posted on the left side of the T account and usually labelled as ‘Dr’. A credit entry is posted on the right side of a ledger account and is abbreviated as ‘Cr’. This is known as double-entry accounting.
There is a lot of confusion when bookkeepers are trying to decide whether a journal entry should be entered on the debit side or credit side. To understand whether to make the entry under the debit column or credit column we first need to understand the different types of accounts and then learn the treatment in case of an increase or a decrease in that account.
Any Financial Transaction Performed In A Business Organization Can Be Classified Under One Of The Following Accounts:
- Asset Account
- Liability Account
- Equity Account
- Revenue Account
- Expense Account
It is worth noting here that the first 3 accounts listed above feature on the balance sheet of an organization and have running balances (balance carried forward to next accounting year). The last two accounts are used in preparation of an income statement and the balances are not carried forward to the next accounting period.
The following table clearly illustrates if an account should be debited or credited with an increase or decrease in its balance. Look closely at how the debit accounts and credit accounts are affected.
| Account | Increase in Value | Decrease in Value |
| Assets | Debit | Credit |
| Liability | Credit | Debit |
| Equity | Credit | Debit |
| Revenue | Credit | Debit |
| Expense | Debit | Credit |
The following examples of financial transactions record the increase and decrease in each account along with a brief commentary on each transaction for clear understanding:
- Purchase of office furniture for $100 cash
Double Entry: Dr. Cr.
Office Furniture 100
Cash 100
In the above example, an increase in an asset of furniture is debited by $100. This has been paid for by cash which leads to a reduction in another asset class and is recorded by crediting the cash account. As a side note, remember to hang on to all invoices and receipts when it comes to company billing and company purchases. These are your paper trail when it comes to taxes and proof of transactions.
- Purchase of Goods worth $250 on credit
Double Entry: Dr. Cr.
Goods 250
Creditor/payable 250
Buying goods on credit or with a credit card increases an asset i.e. goods, this increase is recorded by debiting asset account. We still have to pay for the goods and this gives rise to a liability. This increase in liability is recorded by crediting the creditor account.
- Owner contributes $1000 to the business bank account.
Double Entry Dr. Cr.
Bank 1000
Equity 1000
The contribution made by the owner increased one asset i.e. bank and hence the corresponding entry is reflected by debiting the bank account. An increase of $100.00 has also occurred in the owner’s equity, we now know from the table provided above that an increase in equity is credited. This is cash the owner has brought over from his personal account and put towards the business.
- Cash Sale of goods worth $150.
Double Entry Dr. Cr.
Cash 150
Sales 150
In the example above, there is an increase in both the revenue and asset accounts. The recording is again based on the information provided in the table above where it can be seen that an increase in asset is debit and an increase in Revenue is credit.
- Paid Monthly utility bill of $70
Double Entry Dr. Cr.
Utility Expense 70
Cash 70
In the case of paying utility bills, the utility expense increases and the payment made by an asset decreases the asset account. The double entry to reflect this transaction is debited by expense as it increases and credited to asset as the asset decreases.
These are just a few examples of financial transactions that happen in an organization. There are numerous transactions happening in businesses every day but the underlying concept for every transaction is the same. Understanding how to use debits and credits can be confusing but always remember that for every transaction there has to be at least one debit and one credit, which can be in the same account category or different ones. These are mostly examples of normal accounts, however, there are also contra-accounts which are treated the exact opposite of normal accounts.
