DUAL ASPECT CONCEPT
Dual aspect is the foundation or basic principle of accounting. It provides
the very basis of recording business transactions in the books of accounts.
This concept assumes that every transaction has a dual effect, i.e. it affects
two accounts in their respective opposite sides. Therefore, the transaction
should be recorded at two places. It means, both the aspects of the
transaction must be recorded in the books of accounts. For example, goods
purchased for cash has two aspects which are (i) Giving of cash
(ii) Receiving of goods. These two aspects are to be recorded.
Thus, the duality concept is commonly expressed in terms of fundamental
accounting equation :
Assets = Liabilities + Capital
The above accounting equation states that the assets of a business are always
equal to the claims of owner/owners and the outsiders. This claim is also
termed as capital or owners equity and that of outsiders, as liabilities or
creditors’ equity.
The knowledge of dual aspect helps in identifying the two aspects of a
transaction which helps in applying the rules of recording the transactions
in books of accounts. The implication of dual aspect concept is that every
transaction has an equal impact on assets and liabilities in such a way that
total assets are always equal to total liabilities.
Let us analyse some more business transactions in terms of their dual aspect :
1. Capital brought in by the owner of the business
The two aspects in this transaction are :
(i) Receipt of cash
(ii) Increase in Capital (owners equity)
MODULE - 1
Basic Accounting
Notes
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Accounting Concepts
ACCOUNTANCY
2. Purchase of machinery by cheque
The two aspects in the transaction are
(i) Reduction in Bank Balance
(ii) Owning of Machinery
3. Goods sold for cash
The two aspects are
(i) Receipt of cash
(ii) Delivery of goods to the customer
4. Rent paid in cash to the landlord
The two aspects are
(i) Payment of cash
(ii) Rent (Expenses incurred).
Once the two aspects of a transaction are known, it becomes easy to apply
the rules of accounting and maintain the records in the books of accounts
properly.
The interpretation of the Dual aspect concept is that every transaction has
an equal effect on assets and liabilities in such a way that total assets are
always equal to total liabilities of the business.
Significance
l This concept helps accountant in detecting error.
l It encourages the accountant to post each entry in opposite sides of two
2.7 REALISATION CONCEPT
This concept states that revenue from any business transaction should be
included in the accounting records only when it is realised. The term
realisation means creation of legal right to receive money. Selling goods
is realisation, receiving order is not.
In other words, it can be said that :
Revenue is said to have been realised when cash has been received
or right to receive cash on the sale of goods or services or both has
been created.
Let us study the following examples :
(i) N.P. Jeweller received an order to supply gold ornaments worth
Rs.500000. They supplied ornaments worth Rs.200000 up to the year
ending 31st December 2005 and rest of the ornaments were supplied
in January 2006.
(ii) Bansal sold goods for Rs.1,00,000 for cash in 2006 and the goods have
been delivered during the same year.
(iii) Akshay sold goods on credit for Rs.50,000 during the year ending 31st
December 2005. The goods have been delivered in 2005 but the
payment was received in March 2006.
Now, let us analyse the above examples to ascertain the correct amount of
revenue realised for the year ending 31st December 2005.
(i) The revenue for the year 2005 for N.P. Jeweller is Rs.200000. Mere
getting an order is not considered as revenue until the goods have been
delivered.
(ii) The revenue for Bansal for year 2005 is Rs.1,00,000 as the goods have
been delivered in the year 2005. Cash has also been received in the
same year.
(iii) Akshay’s revenue for the year 2005 is Rs.50,000, because the goods
have been delivered to the customer in the year 2005. Revenue became
due in the year 2005 itself. In the above examples, revenue is realised
when the goods are delivered to the customers.
The concept of realisation states that revenue is realized at the time
when goods or services are actually delivered.
In short, the realisation occurs when the goods and services have been sold
either for cash or on credit. It also refers to inflow of assets in the form
of receivables.
MODULE - 1
Basic Accounting
Notes
27
Accounting Concepts
ACCOUNTANCY
Significance
l It helps in making the accounting information more objective.
l It provides that the transactions should be recorded only when goods
2.7 REALISATION CONCEPT
This concept states that revenue from any business transaction should be
included in the accounting records only when it is realised. The term
realisation means creation of legal right to receive money. Selling goods
is realisation, receiving order is not.
In other words, it can be said that :
Revenue is said to have been realised when cash has been received
or right to receive cash on the sale of goods or services or both has
been created.
Let us study the following examples :
(i) N.P. Jeweller received an order to supply gold ornaments worth
Rs.500000. They supplied ornaments worth Rs.200000 up to the year
ending 31st December 2005 and rest of the ornaments were supplied
in January 2006.
(ii) Bansal sold goods for Rs.1,00,000 for cash in 2006 and the goods have
been delivered during the same year.
(iii) Akshay sold goods on credit for Rs.50,000 during the year ending 31st
December 2005. The goods have been delivered in 2005 but the
payment was received in March 2006.
Now, let us analyse the above examples to ascertain the correct amount of
revenue realised for the year ending 31st December 2005.
(i) The revenue for the year 2005 for N.P. Jeweller is Rs.200000. Mere
getting an order is not considered as revenue until the goods have been
delivered.
(ii) The revenue for Bansal for year 2005 is Rs.1,00,000 as the goods have
been delivered in the year 2005. Cash has also been received in the
same year.
(iii) Akshay’s revenue for the year 2005 is Rs.50,000, because the goods
have been delivered to the customer in the year 2005. Revenue became
due in the year 2005 itself. In the above examples, revenue is realised
when the goods are delivered to the customers.
The concept of realisation states that revenue is realized at the time
when goods or services are actually delivered.
In short, the realisation occurs when the goods and services have been sold
either for cash or on credit. It also refers to inflow of assets in the form
of receivables.
MODULE - 1
Basic Accounting
Notes
27
Accounting Concepts
ACCOUNTANCY
Significance
l It helps in making the accounting information more objective.
l It provides that the transactions should be recorded only when goods