Accrual Accounting

Reviewed by Will Kenton • Updated Jun 20, 2019

What Is Accrual Accounting?

Accrual accounting is one of two accounting method, the other being cash
accounting. Accrual accounting measures the performance and position of a
company by recognizing economic events regardless of when cash transactions
occur. (For related reading, see "How Does Accrual Accounting Differ from Cash
Basis Accounting?")

The general idea is that economic events are recognized by matching revenues
to expenses (the matching principle) at the time in which the transaction occurs
rather than when payment is made or received. This method allows the current
cash inflows or outflows to be combined with future expected cash inflows or
outflows to give a more accurate picture of a company's current financial
position.

How To Decipher Accrual Accounting

How Accrual Accounting Works

Accrual accounting is considered to be the standard accounting practice for

most companies, with the exception of very small businesses and individuals.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows qualifying small businesses (less than
$5 million in annual revenues) to choose their preferred method. The accrual
method does provide a more accurate picture of the company's current
condition, but its relative complexity makes it more expensive to implement.

The need for this method arose out of the increasing complexity of business
transactions and a desire for more accurate financial information. Selling on
credit and projects that provide revenue streams over a long period of time affect
the company's financial condition at the point of the transaction. Therefore, it
makes sense that such events should also be reflected in the financial
statements during the same reporting period that these transactions occur.

Under accrual accounting, firms have immediate feedback on their expected

cash inflows and outflows, which makes it easier for businesses to better
manage their current resources and plan effectively for the future.

Accrual accounting provides a more accurate picture of a company’s financial

position, while cash accounting is often reserved for very small businesses.

Accrual Accounting vs. Cash Accounting

Accrual accounting is the opposite of cash accounting, which recognizes

transactions only when there is an exchange of cash. Accrual accounting is
almost always required for companies that carry inventory or make sales on
credit.

For example, consider a consulting company that provides a $5,000 service to a

client on Oct. 30. The client receives the bill for services rendered and makes her
cash payment on Nov. 25. The entry of this transaction will be recorded
differently under the cash and accrual methods. The revenue generated by the
consulting services will only be recognized under the cash method when the
money is received by the company. A company that uses the cash accounting
method will record $5,000 revenue on Nov. 25.

Accrual accounting, however, says that the cash method isn't accurate because
it is likely, if not certain, that the company will receive the cash at some point in
the future because the services have been provided. The accrual method
recognizes revenue when the services provided for the client are concluded even
though cash isn't yet in the bank. Revenue will be recognized as earned on Oct.
30. The sale is booked to an account known as accounts receivable, found in the
current assets section of the balance sheet.

A company that incurs an expense that it is yet to pay for will recognize the
business expense on the day the expense arises. Under the accrual method of
accounting, the company receiving goods or services on credit must report the
liability no later than the date they were received. The accrued expense will be
recorded as an account payable under the current liabilities section of the
balance sheet, and also as an expense in the income statement. On the general
ledger, when the bill is paid, the accounts payable account is debited and the
cash account is credited.

Key Takeaways

Accrual accounting is an accounting method where revenue or expenses are

recorded when a transaction occurs rather than when payment is received
or made.
The method follows the matching principle, which says that revenues and
expenses should be recognized in the same period.
Cash accounting is the other accounting method, which recognizes
transactions only when payment is exchanged.