The ________ basis of accounting records revenues only when cash is received.

Accrual basis accounting is an accounting method in which transactions are recorded as soon as they are incurred, regardless of when the cash is actually received or paid out. Transactions are recorded regardless of whether the transaction has produced any cash flow.

When preparing their annual financial report for submission to the ACNC, charities will use either cash or accrual accounting.

Medium and large charities must use accrual-based accounting in their financial reports

Small charities may use either cash or accrual accounting, unless they must use accrual accounting in accordance with their governing document (rules, constitution or trust deed), or by any government department or agency, or funding body.

From the 2022 Annual Information Statement, small charities using cash accounting have an additional option to describe their assets and liabilities.

Differences between cash and accrual accounting

The main difference between cash and accrual accounting is the timing of when revenue and expenses are recognised in the books.

Cash accounting records revenue when money is received and expenses when money is paid out. Accrual accounting records revenue when it is earned and expenses when they are incurred.

Therefore, cash accounting does not record payables and receivables, while accrual accounting does.

Tips on cash accounting

  • Consider treating debit card transactions as cash.
  • Keep a list of all assets (including long term assets) – for example, keep an asset register using a spreadsheet.
  • Keep sufficient financial and operational records so your charity can prepare accurate financial statements and be audited, if required.
  • Consider preparing a cash flow budget to support planning. This should include future expected one-off or large payments, such as rates or insurance premiums.
  • Where valuations were used to determine the value of assets and liabilities, make sure they are relevant and reliable and include sufficient records to show how the amounts were determined.

Case study: Revenue

On January 1, a donor enters into a regular giving arrangement for three months with a charity for a monthly donation of $50. The charity's financial reporting period is 1 January to 31 December.

Under the cash method, the amount is not recorded until the $50 is received in the charity’s bank account.

Under the accrual method, the $50 is recorded in advance of receiving the cash. Assuming that the donation is received on the 21st of each month:

Cash Method

Journal entry 21 JanJournal entry 21 FebJournal entry 21 MarDebit Bank $50Debit Bank $50Debit Bank $50Credit Revenue $50Credit Revenue $50Credit Revenue $50

Accrual Method

Journal entry 1 Jan (initial entry)

Debit Receivable $150Credit Revenue $150Journal entry 21 JanJournal entry 21 FebJournal entry 21 MarDebit Bank $50Debit Bank $50Debit Bank $50Credit Receivable $50Credit Receivable $50Credit Receivable $50

By raising a receivable, a charity is able to keep a track of the money a donor owes or has paid them through the books. Under the cash method, a charity may not be fully aware of their future entitlements at any given point in time.

Case study: Expenses

For the last 12 months, a charity has been paying $100 per month to a website provider to host their website.

The provider normally increases the subscription by 2% per annum from 1 December each year. However, if the charity pays the subscription 12 months in advance, the increase will not apply.

The charity decides to pay upfront, and pays the $1,200 to the provider on 1 December 2021. The charity's reporting period is 1 January to 31 December.

Cash Method
Accrual Method
Journal entry 1 DecJournal entry 1 DecDebit Subscription$1,200Debit Subscription$100Debit Prepaid Subscription$1,100Credit Bank$1,200Credit Bank$1,200

If you consider the end of year report for this charity, the subscription expense would be recorded as follows:

Cash Method
Accrual Method
Reporting period (year)20212021Subscription Expense$2,300$1,200

Cash method: From January 1 to November 30, the charity paid the provider $100 a month in subscriptions (11 x $100 = $1,100). On December 1, the charity paid another $1,200 to the provider. Therefore, the total is $1,100 + $1,200 = $2,300.

Accrual method: From January 1 to November 30, the charity paid the provider $100 a month in subscriptions (11 x $100 = $1,100). On December 1, the charity paid another $1,200 to the provider. Under the accrual method only the amount that relates to December is recognised ($100) and the remainder is recorded in a pre-payment account as an asset in the balance sheet ($1,100). Therefore, the total is $1,100 + $100 = $1,200.

The accrual method better captures the subscription expense for the 12-month reporting period, as the accrual system considers the timing of when expenses should be incurred.

Is revenue recorded only when cash is received?

Cash basis accounting records revenue and expenses when actual payments are received or disbursed. It doesn't account for either when the transactions that create them occur. On the other hand, accrual accounting records revenue and expenses when those transactions occur and before any money is received or paid out.

What is cash basis of recording in accounting?

Cash basis refers to a major accounting method that recognizes revenues and expenses at the time cash is received or paid out. This contrasts accrual accounting, which recognizes income at the time the revenue is earned and records expenses when liabilities are incurred regardless of when cash is received or paid.

What is the accounting basis when profits are reported when cash is received?

Cash basis accounting is a method where revenue is recorded when the cash is actually received; likewise, expenses are recorded when they are paid. Cash accounting does not acknowledge or track accounts receivable or accounts payable. For that reason, the method is best for small businesses that do not stock inventory.

What is the basis of accrual accounting?

Accrual basis accounting recognizes business revenue and matching expenses when they are generated—not when money actually changes hands. This means companies record revenue when it is earned, not when the company collects the money.