Debits and credits

Uncommon card · No. 150017

Debits and credits in double-entry bookkeeping are entries made in account ledgers to record changes in value resulting from business transactions. A debit entry in an account represents a transfer of value to that account, and a credit entry represents a transfer from the account. Each transaction transfers value from credited accounts to debited accounts. For example, a tenant who writes a rent cheque to a landlord would enter a credit for the bank account on which the cheque is drawn, and a debit in a rent expense account. Similarly, the landlord would enter a credit in the rent income account associated with the tenant and a debit for the bank account where the cheque is deposited. Debits increase the value of assets and expense accounts and reduce the value of liabilities, equity, and revenue accounts. Conversely, credits increase the value of liability, equity, and revenue accounts and reduce the value of asset and expense accounts. Debits and credits are traditionally distinguished...

Read on Wikipedia