askvity

What is an Example of a Real Account Rule?

Published in Accounting Basics 2 mins read

A real account rule example focuses on debiting what comes into the business and crediting what goes out.

Real Account Rules Explained

Real accounts represent assets and liabilities owned by a business. The fundamental rule governing these accounts is straightforward:

Debit what comes into the business. Credit what goes out of the business.

This rule is the backbone of accounting for tangible assets like cash, furniture, and equipment.

Example: Furniture Purchase

Let's illustrate this with an example, as mentioned in the reference:

  • Scenario: A business purchases furniture with cash.

  • Application of the Rule:

    • Furniture is coming into the business; therefore, the Furniture account is debited.
    • Cash is going out of the business; therefore, the Cash account is credited.

Here's how it would look in a journal entry:

Account Debit Credit
Furniture A/c XXX
Cash A/c XXX
Explanation: Purchase of furniture for cash

Key Takeaways

  • Real accounts represent assets and liabilities.
  • The rule for real accounts ensures the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) remains balanced.
  • Applying this rule requires careful identification of what the business is receiving (debit) and what it is giving up (credit).

Related Articles