Cash Basis Accounting – this when revenue and expenses are recorded only when cash is actually received or paid.
Example: You invoice a client in January but they pay in March → under cash basis, you record the income in March, when the money arrives.
Accrual Basis Accounting – this when revenue and expenses are recorded when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when the cash is exchanged.
Example: You invoice a client in January → under accrual basis, you record the income in January, even if payment comes in March.