Q.Distinguish between the Single Entry System and the Double Entry System.
The Single Entry System is best understood as everything the Double Entry System deliberately is not, since MSBSHSE Std XI builds Double Entry Book-Keeping across the earlier chapters before contrasting it with Chapter 10's Single Entry System. The main points of distinction are:
| Basis of Distinction | Double Entry System | Single Entry System |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific basis | A scientific, uniform method — every transaction is recorded on both its debit and credit aspects. | An unscientific, unsystematic method — no fixed rule is applied uniformly. |
| Accounts maintained | All three classes of accounts — personal, real, nominal — are maintained in full. | Generally only personal accounts and a cash book are maintained with regularity. |
| Trial Balance | A Trial Balance can be extracted directly from the ledger. | No Trial Balance can be prepared, since real and nominal accounts are incomplete. |
| Profit ascertainment | Profit is ascertained precisely through a Trading and Profit and Loss Account. | Profit is only an estimate, found by comparing net worth at two dates. |
| Financial position | A proper Balance Sheet shows the true, verified financial position. | A Statement of Affairs shows only an estimated position. |
| Suitability | Suitable for every type of business; legally compulsory for companies. | Suitable only for small sole proprietorships and partnerships; not usable by a company. |
| Acceptability | Accepted by banks, tax authorities and courts as reliable evidence. | Not generally accepted without being placed on a proper double-entry basis. |
Double Entry Book-Keeping is a scientific, complete system — it maintains personal, real and nominal accounts, allows a Trial Balance, gives an exact profit figure through a Trading and Profit and Loss Account and a verified Balance Sheet, and is legally compulsory for companies. The Single Entry System is unscientific and incomplete — it generally keeps only personal accounts and cash, permits no Trial Balance, gives only an estimated profit through the Net Worth Method, and suits only small sole proprietors and partnerships, being unacceptable to banks and tax authorities without conversion.
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