What is the principle of double accounting?

The principle of double accounting, also known as double-entry bookkeeping, asserts that every financial transaction impacts at least two accounts in a business's accounting system. This approach ensures that the accounting equation—assets equal liabilities plus equity—remains balanced after every transaction is recorded. For instance, when a company makes a sale, it might increase its cash or accounts receivable, which reflects an increase in assets, while also increasing revenue, which impacts equity. This dual impact on accounts provides a complete and consistent overview of the company's financial activities, helping maintain accuracy and integrity in financial reporting.

The other choices provide limited or incorrect interpretations of accounting principles. Single-account transactions do not reflect the interconnected nature of financial data, whereas recording transactions only at year-end or focusing solely on credits misses a fundamental aspect of transactional accounting. Hence, understanding the principle of double accounting is crucial for proper financial management and reporting.