What is the difference between accounts
payable and accounts receivable?

Definition of Accounts Payable

Accounts payable is a current liability account in which a company records the amounts it owes to suppliers or vendors for goods or services that it received on credit.

Definition of Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is a current asset account in which a company records the amounts it has a right to collect from customers who received goods or services on credit.

Examples of Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

Let’s assume that Company A sells merchandise to Company B on credit (with payment due 30 days later). Company A will record the amount of the sale with a credit to Sales and a debit to Accounts Receivable. Company B will record the purchase (perhaps as inventory) with a credit to Accounts Payable.

When the amount of the credit sale is remitted, Company B will debit its liability Accounts Payable and will credit Cash. Company A will debit Cash and will credit its current asset Accounts Receivable.

Symmetry with Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable
Our examples show that there are two sides to every transaction (which some people refer to as symmetry).
At the time of the sale:

• Company A reported a sale and a current asset, and
• Company B reported a purchase and a current liability

At the time of payment:

• Company A’s Cash increased and its Accounts Receivable decreased
• Company B’s Cash decreased and its Accounts Payable decreased