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Bookkeeping › Books of Prime Entry

What is the accounting equation and how does bookkeeping maintain it?

Intermediate

Answer

The accounting equation is Assets = Liabilities + Capital (owner's equity). Double-entry bookkeeping maintains it because every transaction affects the equation on both sides equally or offsets within one side, so it always balances. The trial balance and balance sheet reflect this equality.
Owner invests 10,000: Assets (cash) +10,000 = Capital +10,000.
Real-world example Taking a loan raises cash (asset) and a liability equally, keeping the equation in balance.

Common follow-ups: What are the three elements? | Why does the equation always balance?