Accounting Training - Cash Basis Revenue Accounting

Being involved in accounting training, it is important to learn and practice major topics which will give you basic knowledge and understanding of main accounting principles. One of such topics is cash basis revenue accounting covering revenue recognition principles which are closely related to the cash receipt moment rather than to the actual sale of goods or provision of services.
Essence
Revenues in the books of the business can be recognized applying two main methods, i.e.:

• accrual accounting method
• cash basis accounting method

Accrual method requires revenues to be recognized when sale of goods or provision of services occurred, i.e. ownership title to the goods was transferred from seller to the customer or customer accepted services provided. Such moment means the seller has a right to claim payment from customer for the goods sold, services provided despite the fact whether cash for sale was paid or not. Applying this principle advances received are not recognized as revenues, if no cash is received at the moment of sale revenue recognition is not postponed. This method will also cause recognition of advances received (if cash is paid up front before the sale) or accounts receivable (if cash is paid after the sale).
Cash basis method requires revenues to be recognized only when cash was received. In case customer makes payment in advance, such advance will be recognized as revenue without taking into account the fact that goods were not yet sold or services were not yet provided. In case customer pays later after the sale occurred revenues will be recognized only when cash is received.
Applying cash basis revenue recognition method financial statements will not present the right of the seller to claim payment from customer which is done in the form of accounting for accounts receivable when accrual accounting principle is applied. So no there will be no fair presentation of assets.
Examples
Some examples can demonstrate how cash method is applied in practice.
Example 1. Assume business sold goods for $5,400 on March 15, cash will be received on April 20. Applying cash basis revenue accounting method, revenues will be recognized only on April 20, i.e.

D Cash $5,400C Sales Revenue $5,400

Example 2. Assume business sold goods on March 15, part of cash was received in advance on February 17, i.e. $1,300. Remaining part of cash will be received on April 20.
Since revenues are recognized when cash is received in February advance received will be recognized as revenue, i.e.:

D Cash $1,300C Sales Revenue $1,300

Remaining part $5,400-$1,300=$4,100 will be recognized as revenue in April, i.e.:

D Cash $4,100C Sales Revenue $4,100

In case customer will fail to pay its debt, no sales revenue will be recognized at all.