What Is the Realization Principle in Accounting?
Have you heard of the realization principle? It’s a common concept used in accounting. Many businesses use it to determine when revenue has been earned. To learn more about the realization principle and how it’s used in accounting, keep reading.
Overview of the Realization Principle
The realization principle is an accounting concept that involves the recognition — or the realization — of revenue when purchased products are delivered or when purchased services are completed. In other words, businesses don’t consider revenue to be earned until one of these actions has occurred.
A customer may pay for a product or service. Until the product has been delivered or the service has been completed, though, the business doesn’t consider the revenue to be earned. With the realization principle, revenue is only earned after the delivery of a product or the completion of a service.
Benefits of Using the Realization Principle
Using the realization principle offers several benefits. The main benefit is healthier financial records. It offers a clearer and more accurate representation of your business’s finances.
Just because a customer pays you for a product or a service, your business may not generate from it. The product could get lost or damaged during shipping. Alternatively, the customer may cancel the service before you have a chance to complete it. Regardless, there are instances in which your business may not generate revenue from a purchased product or service. If you recognize revenue as earned prematurely, it will throw off your business’s financial records. The realization principle offers a solution. This concept ensures that your business doesn’t recognize revenue as earned until the delivery of a product or the completion of a service.
Tips on How to Use the Realization Principle
There are a few things you should know when using the realization principle. For starters, you must track the dates when products are delivered and services are completed. After all, this is the basis on which the realization principle works. You’ll have to track the dates when products are delivered and services are completed to effectively use the realization principle in your business’s accounting strategy.
The realization principle works on a simple concept: revenue isn’t considered earned until the purchased product has been delivered or the purchased service has been completed. It’s designed to provide a better overall picture of your business’s finances by showing the true amount of revenue your business has earned.
Have anything else that you’d like to add? Let us know in the comments section below!