Accounting glossary

What is debit (bookkeeping)?

The other half of double entry. A debit increases assets and expenses, and decreases liabilities, equity and income. Every transaction debits at least one account and credits another for the same total — that symmetry is the whole system.

Example

Pay $500 of rent from the bank: rent expense is debited $500 and the bank (an asset) is credited $500.

The debit increased an expense and the credit decreased an asset — one transaction, two equal sides.

In SeroBooks

The journal shows both sides of every entry SeroBooks posts. Journal entries guide

Nearby terms

Stop looking terms up. Start seeing them work.

Free to start, on Windows, Mac, iPad and Android. No credit card.

Start freeBook a demo