Recognition definition

What is Recognition in Accounting?

Recognition is the recordation of a business transaction in an entity's accounting records. Here are several examples of recognition:

  • Recognition of a loss. A loss is recognized on a lower of cost or market analysis, thereby recording the loss in the accounting records.

  • Recognition of a sale. A sale transaction is recognized by recording revenue in the accounting records.

  • Recognition of an expense. An invoice received from a supplier is recorded as an expense in the accounting records.

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