In accounting terms, what is the opposite of a debit?

In accounting, a debit and a credit are fundamental concepts that are integral to how financial transactions are recorded. When a transaction is recorded, debits and credits must balance out, which means that for every debit entry, there must be an equal and opposite credit entry.

The opposite of a debit is a credit, which increases equity, revenue, and liability accounts while decreasing asset and expense accounts. For example, if you were to record a sale, you would credit the revenue account and debit cash or accounts receivable. This balancing act between debits and credits is crucial in maintaining accurate financial records and ensures the integrity of the double-entry bookkeeping system.

Understanding this relationship is key for anyone entering the field of accounting, as it affects how to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively.