logo
logo
Sign in

Difference Between Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

avatar
Jordan
Difference Between Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

The same transaction is reported differently on the balance sheet of the buyer and seller. An item purchased by one organization is a sale for another. While one will record it under receivables (seller), the other will record it under payables (buyer) as the money will flow out of the company.

In a balance sheet, payables are recorded as liabilities, while receivables are the business's assets.

Efficient records management is paramount in any small business, as it ensures the maintenance of a healthy flow of money into the business.

Both accounts receivable and accounts payable have their unique importance in the business world.

For beginners, here is a detailed description and sharp distinction between accounts receivable and accounts payable management -.

What do you mean by accounts receivable and accounts payable?

Accounts Receivable Management

It is a process of keeping a record known as AP sub-ledger (balance sheet of the company) to keep track of money owed by a company to its suppliers. It is different from notes on payables due, which are debts formally created by legal instrument documents. The amount is initially recorded at the time the purchase order is receipted for payment. The term "evidence" refers to the fact that the company has approved manual payment. Other than approval, the purchase order must be recorded in the general ledger in the accounts payable category for the purchase of goods or the use of services.

 

Accounts receivable management 

Basically, it is a type of record that businesses use to keep track of the money they owe their customers who have served them in the form of invoices. AR Ledgers - is the term used to refer to these records in the business world. It is considered a legal term that enforces any business organization for payment to the service provider or the vendor that served. Accounts receivable is the amount that an organization collects from its customers for services rendered or goods delivered on order. One company's AP record is the AR record for the other. A product sold or purchased through an invoice must be recorded on both sides for a fair transaction.

Keep records in the general ledgers -

Accounts Payable 

  • The purchase that a company has made
  • The amount of money to be paid for services and goods ordered by the business, including other charges.
  • The total amount to be paid at the end of the month, with additional charges for accounts receivable

Accounts Receivable 

  • The revenue that a company generates.
  • The sales that a company has made by invoice.
  • The total amount the company claims for goods or services, including other charges
  • The change in the amount owed at the end of the month for accounts receivable

Payment terms 

The amount that one pays, the other receives as a cost for the company's service. This is the reason why the payment terms are the same for both. The difference is that when the product is recorded in the AR ledger, it results in a cash inflow, and when it is in the AP ledger, it results in a cash outflow.

 

Apart from this, the basic term that both Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable must obey is "Net 30 Days". This term implies that payment is due at the end of the month or 30 days from the purchase order date. Thereafter, the accounts receivable charge is due on the amount to be paid or received.

 

The payable company has no restriction for paying the debt amount before the due date. It’s up to the receivable business organization whether they want that debt amount from the payable organization or offers concession according to the terms they agreed at the time of invoice.

In case of early payment to the demanding company, discounts are sometimes offered to the paying company. This is applicable in special cases where the service provider has stated in advance that it wants to have a long-term relationship with that company for mutual benefit.

Duration analysis 

Service providers maintain a detailed accounts receivable ledger that is categorized as - 90 days, 60 days, 30 days, current, or longer. When a customer orders something, they analyze that customer by categorizing them by payment terms. Payment-based companies keep the same record to categorize service providers by the quality of service.

CONCLUSION

After the above-detailed description and differentiation, we conclude that accounts receivable and accounts payable are two interrelated records, and close monitoring of both is very necessary. If you as a company keep a close eye on the cash flow, many other tasks will run more smoothly. All the above differences highlight the need for better management for healthier business relationships.

 

Invoicera is the world's most powerful online invoicing and billing software. It provides customized accounts receivable software and accounts payable solutions for more than 3 million businesses connected to it. Dedicated spreadsheets make offline cash records easy alongside automatically added online records. With the help of an integrated mobile app, you can easily access important information how and when you want.

collect
0
avatar
Jordan
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more