As a small business owner, you’ve probably heard of cash and accrual accounting. But, you may not be as familiar with the hybrid accounting method. The hybrid method is a blend of the cash and accrual methods of accounting. Is the hybrid accounting system right for your small business?
Hybrid accounting: Combining bookkeeping methods
Usually, businesses use one of the two main methods ofvwin.com ：现金基础或应计。但是，一些小型企业主选择使用混合会计方法记录交易。
Hybrid accounting combines aspects of cash-basis and accrual accounting. To understand the hybrid method of accounting, you need to know the differences between the cash and accrual methods.
Cash-basis accounting
To use the cash method, record income and业务费用only when you receive or disburse cash. When you pay a supplier, vendor, or other entity, make a record. And when a customer gives you money for your goods or services, write down the transaction. You make records when actual cash is exchanged.
Cash-basis accountingis the simplest way to record transactions. The cash method results in fewer journal entries throughout theaccounting cycle。The cash method is good forcash flow managementand monitoring how much money you have on hand. However, cash accounting can make it difficult to see the big picture of your business’s finances over time.
Accrual accounting
With theaccrual accountingmethod, you record income when you earn it. You do not record cash when you receive it. For example, you record income when you give a customer an invoice.
Record expenses when you incur them, not when you pay them. For example, you record an expense when you receive an invoice.
Many larger businesses use the accrual method because it accurately tracks long-term performance. The method makes it easier to anticipate future income and expenses.
尽管应计在许多方面是有益的，但它并不能准确代表现金流。您的利润看起来可能是积极的，但是您可能没有现金流，因此您可能会出现破产。一些公司分开进行financial reporting and analysisfor cash flow when using accrual accounting.
Want to learn more about how cash-basis and accrual accounting differ? Check out ourFREE指导，A Basic Guide to Cash-basis vs. Accrual, to get more information.
Choosing the hybrid accounting method
When using the hybrid method, you use parts ofcash-basis and accrual-basis accounting。混合方法使追踪现金流并看到长期财务状况成为可能。
年代ome companies are required to use the hybrid method. These businesses include:
- 年代mall mining operations
- Manufacturers
- 批发商
- 零售商
即使您的业务不需要使用混合会计系统，您也可以选择这样做。对于那些没有太多会计或税收经验的人来说，混合会计方法有些棘手。您可能会很难知道何时应用现金和应计方法。
Before selecting the hybrid method,找到会计师and consider the following factors:
- The size of your business
- The nature of your transactions
- 你的潜在税收减免
- Your expertise in accounting and tax preparation
With hybrid accounting, you can use the cash method to account for most transactions. But, specific line items, such as inventory, require accrual accounting treatment. And, accrual entries are required if your company meets specific revenue thresholds.
特殊IRS混合会计规则
只要您一致并明确反映收入，您就可以将混合方法用于所得税。使用混合方法时，必须遵循特殊规则。您可以在IRS中找到完整的要求列表Publication 538。
年代pecial rules you must follow when using the hybrid method include:
- 如果您使用现金方法报告收入，则还必须使用现金方法报告费用。
- If you report income using the accrual method, you must also report expenses using the accrual method.
- If you have存货, you must use accrual accounting to record sales and purchases.
Bottom line:Income and expenses must be reported using the same method, whether it’s cash or accrual. And, if you have inventory, you need to report sales and purchases using the accrual method. You can record all other transactions with either cash or accrual accounting.
您的收获
- 混合方法是现金和应计会计方法之间的融合。
- You must use the hybrid accounting method consistently to compute income.
- Before selecting the hybrid method, evaluate your operations to see if it’s the right fit.
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