Distinction between Book-keeping and Accounting
In general the following are the differences between book-keeping and accounting.
Book-keeping
- Scope: Recording and maintenance of books of accounts.
- Stage: Primary stage.
- Objective: To maintain systematic records of business transactions.
- Nature: Often routine and clerical in nature.
- Responsibility – A book-keeper is responsible for recording business transactions.
- Supervision: The book-keeper does not supervise and check the work of an Accountant.
- Staff involved: Work is done by the junior staff of the organization.
Accounting
- Scope: It is not only recording and maintenance of books of accounts but also includes analysis, interpreting and communicating the information.
- Stage: Secondary stage.
- Objective: To ascertain the net result of the business operation.
- Nature: Analytical and executive in nature.
- Responsibility: An accountant is also responsible for the work of a book-keeper.
- Supervision: An accountant supervises and checks the work of the book-keeper.
- Staff involved: Senior staff performs the accounting work.