Principles of Accounting (AKU-ACC)
Topic 2 of 7Aga Khan Board

Double Entry System

Debits, credits, ledger accounts and the accounting equation

Double entry bookkeeping is the foundation of modern accounting. Every transaction affects at least two accounts — one is debited, the other credited. The total of debits always equals the total of credits.


The Accounting Equation: Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity (Capital)

  • Assets (what the business owns) must always equal Liabilities + Capital

  • Debits (Dr) and Credits (Cr):

  • Assets: Debit increases, Credit decreases
  • Liabilities: Credit increases, Debit decreases
  • Capital/Owner's Equity: Credit increases, Debit decreases
  • Revenue/Income: Credit increases (earnings grow equity)
  • Expenses: Debit increases (expenses reduce equity)

  • Memory tool: DEAL CLIC

  • Debit increases: Drawings, Expenses, Assets, Losses
  • Credit increases: Capital, Liabilities, Income, Credits

  • Example: Business buys equipment Rs. 50,000 cash:

  • Debit Equipment (asset increases): Rs. 50,000
  • Credit Cash (asset decreases): Rs. 50,000

  • Ledger accounts use T-format:

  • Left side = Debit | Right side = Credit
  • The difference (balance) is carried down at period end.
  • Key Points to Remember

    • 1Every transaction: one debit, one credit of equal amount
    • 2Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity (accounting equation)
    • 3Assets and expenses increase with Debit
    • 4Liabilities, capital and income increase with Credit

    Pakistan Example

    A Karachi Shopkeeper's Books — Double Entry in Practice

    A Karachi retailer in Saddar buys stock (inventory) Rs. 30,000 on credit from a supplier. Double entry: Debit Purchases/Stock (asset increases) Rs. 30,000; Credit Creditor/Accounts Payable (liability increases) Rs. 30,000. When paid: Debit Creditor Rs. 30,000; Credit Cash/Bank Rs. 30,000. AKU-EB Accounting consistently tests journal entries using Pakistani business scenarios.

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