One of the most important tools businesses use to monitor financial health and manage customer relationships is current accounts. Current accounts are ledgers where all financial transactions between a business and its customers or suppliers are recorded. Thanks to these ledgers, businesses can monitor receivables and payables, plan cash flows, and better manage customer relationships. In this article, we will discuss in detail what current accounts are, why they are important, and how they should be maintained.
A current account is an account in which all financial transactions between a business and its customers or suppliers are recorded. These transactions may include sales, purchases, payments, return transactions, and many others. Current accounts are usually maintained using accounting software or tools like Excel spreadsheets.
1. Main Purpose of a Current Account
- Monitoring receivables and payables: Tracking the receivables from customers and the payables to suppliers.
- Planning cash flow: Making predictions regarding future payments and collections.
- Managing customer relationships: Analyzing customer payment behaviors and preparing customized offers.
- Preparing tax declarations: Gathering the necessary information for tax declaration submissions.
2. Types of Current Accounts
Current accounts are generally divided into two categories:
- Customer Current Account: The account used to track the receivables from customers.
- Supplier Current Account: The account used to track the payables to suppliers.
In Türkiye, the two most preferred company types are sole companies and limited companies. Each model has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. In this analysis, we will objectively examine the main differences between sole companies and limited companies, and the key factors to consider when selecting a company type.
3. Why Are Current Accounts Important?
Current accounts are crucial for the financial health of businesses because:
- They reflect the financial status of the business: Current accounts show how much money the business has, how much it owes, and how much it is owed.
- They facilitate decision-making: Business owners can make more informed decisions based on current account data. For example, they can determine which customers to extend more credit to or which suppliers offer better pricing.
- They help prepare for tax audits: Current accounts are essential documents that strengthen the business’s position during tax audits.
- They strengthen customer relationships: By analyzing customer payment habits through current accounts, businesses can prepare special offers.
4. How to Keep a Current Account
There are several ways to keep a current account, including:
- Accounting Software: Many modern accounting software solutions offer automated current account tracking features. These tools enable faster and more accurate account management.
- Excel Spreadsheets: It's possible to manage current accounts using simple Excel spreadsheets. However, managing them can become challenging as the business grows.
- Paper Ledgers: Although paper ledgers were commonly used in the past, they are rarely preferred today due to a higher risk of errors and data loss.
5. Key Differences Between Sole and Limited Companies
The key differences between sole companies and limited companies can be summarized as follows:- Personal Liability: In sole companies, owners have unlimited liability, while in limited companies, liability is limited.
- Minimum Capital: There is no minimum capital requirement for sole companies, whereas limited companies must have a minimum capital of 10,000 TRY.
- Management: Sole companies are managed by a single individual, while limited companies are governed by a board of directors.
- Taxation: Sole companies are subject to Income Tax, whereas limited companies are subject to Corporate Tax.
- Establishment Costs: Establishing a sole company is generally less costly than establishing a limited company.
- Prestige: Limited companies are often perceived as more prestigious compared to sole companies.
- Establishment Time: Sole companies can be established in one day, whereas establishing a limited company may take up to a year.
- Transferability: Transferring ownership is generally easier in limited companies than in sole companies.
6. Information That Should Be Included in a Current Account
- Customer or supplier name and address
- Invoice number
- Invoice date
- Description
- Amount
- Payment date
- Balance
7. How to Monitor a Current Account
Monitoring current accounts should be done regularly. Key considerations include:
- Updating: Current accounts should be updated after each transaction.
- Accuracy: The information in current accounts must be accurate and up-to-date.
- Regular Checks: Current accounts should be reviewed on a regular basis.
- Analysis: Analyzing current accounts can provide insights into the financial condition of the business.
