Accounting Basics - The Essence of Accounts Payable

While learning accounting basics you need tosuppliers provide certain discounts in case the
understand different accounting concepts. One ofdebt is covered earlier before the due date.
them is accounts payable, which is explained in thisPractical Examples
article and supported by practical examples forFirst question of course what accounting entries
better understanding.have to be made when accounting for the this
The Essenceitem of balance sheet. Let assume that on
So what is accounts payable? In case a businessOctober 10, 2009 the company HCC acquired
acquired from the suppliers goods or services,goods from its supplier for $1500 on credit,
however cash for the acquisition based on thepayment for which will have to be made till
agreement with the supplier will be paid later onNovember 10, 2009. To account for the
after the purchase, the purchaser acknowledges aacquisition we made the following entry:
liability to the supplier. Such liability is calledD Inventory $1500
Accounts Payable. This is a debt of the business___C Accounts Payable $1500
to its suppliers for certain acquisitions, like goodsWhen till November 10, 2009 the payment is
or services. Usually when the goods or servicesmade, the following entry will be recorded:
are acquired from the suppliers and the paymentD Accounts Payable $1500
is postponed till the certain date, we call it___C Cash $1500
"acquisition on credit."Since this balance sheet item account is a liability
On the balance sheet this item is reflected on theaccount, all the increase in this account are
Liabilities & Equity side under liabilities caption.reflected on the credit side, all the decrease - on
Usually they have their due date, i.e. the date tillthe debit side. The account will have credit closing
which the debt should be paid back. Sometimesbalance.