What is the Difference Between Debit Balance and Credit Balance?

The difference between debit balance and credit balance lies in the accounts they are associated with and their impact on the financial records of a business.

  • Debit Balance: A debit balance appears on an account that is an asset, expense, or loss. Debits increase the balance of an asset, expense, or loss account and decrease the balance of a liability, equity, revenue, or gain account. Debits are recorded on the left side of an accounting journal entry.
  • Credit Balance: A credit balance appears on an account that is a liability, income, or capital. Credits increase the balance of a liability, equity, gain, or revenue account and decrease the balance of an asset, loss, or expense account. Credits are recorded on the right side of a journal entry.

In double-entry accounting, every transaction is recorded with a debit and credit in two or more accounts, which categorize different types of financial activities in a company's general ledger. For every debit in one account, another account must have a corresponding credit of equal value, ensuring that the books balance.

Comparative Table: Debit Balance vs Credit Balance

Here is a table illustrating the difference between debit balance and credit balance:

Debit Balance Credit Balance
Increases the balance of an asset, expense, or loss account. Increases the balance of a liability, equity, revenue, or gain account.
Decreases the balance of a liability, equity, revenue, or gain account. Decreases the balance of an asset, expense, or loss account.
Recorded on the left side of an accounting journal entry. Recorded on the right side of a journal entry.

In double-entry accounting, every transaction is recorded with a debit and credit in two or more accounts, which categorize different types of financial activities in a company's general ledger. Debits and credits are both opposite and equal, but they serve different purposes in the accounting process.