The history of accounts payable as it relates to business dates back to the first use of currency. Accounts payable can be defined as amounts owed by a business to its suppliers or creditors for goods or services that have already been delivered or used. As such, accounts payable is group of assets owned by the business, often referred to as the account balance.
The accounting procedure used to track and record the accounts payable of a business is referred to as the accrual method. The accrual method states that all revenues and expenses must be recorded as they occur, regardless of when the money is actually received or paid. For example, if a business purchases supplies on credit, the amount due is recorded in the accounts payable ledger as soon as the purchase is made.
The accounts payable ledger tracks both current and long-term debt. Accounts payable associated with short-term borrowing, such as credit cards and lines of credit, are considered to be current liabilities. Meanwhile, long-term debt is associated with long-term borrowing, such as a mortgage or promissory note.
The accounts payable ledger also shows the details associated with each transaction. It typically includes the name of the creditor, the date the debt was incurred, the total amount of the bill, any applicable interest rate and any due dates associated with the transaction.
For individuals and businesses, managing accounts payable is an important part of financial planning and accountability. Companies often rely on accounts payable to remain current on their bills and pay off their debts on time. Individuals use accounts payable to track spending, budget for expensesand reduce the risk of going into debt.
Overall, managing accounts payable is an important element of financial planning and assessment. With detailed records of all payments, businesses are better able to measure their fiscal health, while individuals can better assess their spending habits and make sure they are able to pay off any debts incurred.