01/23/2013
CHOOSING AN ACCOUNTING METHOD
Every business is required to have an accounting method; once you decide on which one is right for your business STICK WITH IT. The two most commonly used methods are cash and accrual. Knowing how you will accept payments from your customers, cash, check, credit card, debit card, 6-month same as cash, barter, or store credit, may help you decide which method to choose.
Cash Method
The cash method is used by most small businesses. Under this method, income is not counted until payment is received, and expenses are not counted until they are paid. For example, if you receive a check on December 29th, but don’t deposit the check until January 2nd of the following year, you will count the income in the year the check was deposited and not when the check was received.
Accrual Method
With the accrual method, income is reported in the year the item was ordered, delivered or when service was performed; expenses are counted the year when goods or services are received. Using the same scenario mentioned above, if your company receives a check on December 29th and deposits the check on January 2nd of the following year, you will count the income in the year the check was RECEIVED. The same with expenses, if you incurred an expense on December 29th, but didn’t pay it until January 2nd, the expense will be recorded in the year you made the expense. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of the cash and accrual methods. Even after reviewing this list, please speak with a tax professional before making a decision.