A transaction (also termed a business transaction or financial transaction) refers to an exchange of value. In business, a transaction is an exchange of goods or services at a particular price. Every transaction changes the financial position of a business. For this reason, all transactions must be recorded in the books of accounts. Examples of transactions include the payment of salaries to workers, the purchase of merchandise from a supplier on credit, or the purchase of machinery for cash. Business transactions can be classified as follows: A brief explanation of each type, along with examples, is given below. When cash is paid or received at the time of a transaction, the transaction is called a cash transaction. Importantly, when payments are made using credit cards or checks, these are also considered cash transactions. Examples of cash transactions include the purchase of furniture for cash, the sale of merchandise for cash, and making a payment to a creditor by check. When the payment or receipt of cash is not made immediately at the time of the transaction, and is instead postponed until a future date, the transaction is said to be a credit transaction. When there is no question of meeting the value of a transaction, it is called a paper transaction. Examples of paper transactions include goods or cash lost. A transaction that is not directly related to an outsider or an external party is called an internal transaction. Examples of internal transactions include recording depreciation on a fixed asset, recording the loss of merchandise by fire, and the provision of goods and services to another business unit. A transaction in which an outsider or external party is involved is known as an external transaction. Most transactions that a business makes during an accounting period are external transactions. Examples of external transactions include the purchase of merchandise from a supplier, payment of cash to a creditor, and payment of salary to a worker.Business Transactions: Definition
Examples
Classification/Types of Business Transactions
Cash Transaction
Credit Transaction
Paper Transaction
Internal Transaction
External Transaction
Exercises
Business Transactions and Their Classification FAQs
A transaction (also termed a business transaction or financial transaction) refers to an exchange of value. In business, a transaction is an exchange of goods or services at a particular price.
Examples of transactions include the payment of salaries to workers, the purchase of merchandise from a supplier on credit, or the purchase of machinery for cash.
Business transactions can be classified as either, cash and credit transactions or internal and external transactions.
When cash is paid or received at the time of a transaction, the transaction is called a cash transaction. Importantly, when payments are made using credit cards or checks, these are also considered cash transactions.
Examples of cash transactions include the purchase of furniture for cash, the sale of merchandise for cash, and making a payment to a creditor by check.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.
