Cash book vs. Passbook: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 29, 2024
A Cash Book is a financial journal that records all cash transactions of a business, while a Passbook is a bank-issued document recording an account holder's transactions and balance.
Key Differences
A Cash Book is a financial record kept by businesses to track all cash transactions, both cash receipts, and payments. It acts as both a ledger and a journal for all monetary transactions. A Passbook, in contrast, is a document provided by banks to an account holder, showing the account's balance and a record of all deposits and withdrawals.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
In the Cash Book, businesses maintain a detailed record of cash transactions, which includes cash sales, payments to creditors, cash purchases, and receipts from debtors. This book is part of the company's accounting records. The Passbook is maintained by the bank and given to the account holder; it reflects the bank's record of the account's transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, and interest earned.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
The Cash Book helps businesses in keeping a track of their cash flow, aiding in financial management and planning. It is an essential part of a company's internal financial records. The Passbook, however, serves as proof of the transactions that have occurred in the bank account, offering the account holder a clear view of their financial dealings with the bank.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
The Cash Book can be divided into different types, such as single-column, double-column, and triple-column, depending on the details and complexity of transactions recorded. It gives businesses a real-time view of their cash position. Passbooks are standardized and typically show dates, transaction descriptions, debits, credits, and running balances, but do not vary much in format.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
The recording in a Cash Book is done by the business itself or its accountants, making it a primary book of account. It requires regular updating to ensure accuracy in the records. The Passbook is updated by the bank, usually when the account holder presents it for transactions or updates, reflecting the bank's record of the account’s activities.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Records all cash transactions of a business
Records an account holder's bank transactions
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Jan 29, 2024
Role in Financial Management
Aids in internal financial management and planning
Provides an account overview and transaction history
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Jan 29, 2024
Update Frequency
Regularly updated by the business
Updated by the bank during transactions or on request
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Jan 29, 2024
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Cash book and Passbook Definitions
Cash book
A Cash Book serves as both a journal and a ledger in accounting.
In our Cash Book, we keep detailed entries of cash receipts and payments.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A Passbook is a bank-issued document recording account transactions.
She updated her Passbook to check recent bank transactions.
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Jan 05, 2024
Cash book
A Cash Book can be of different types based on transaction complexity.
We use a double-column Cash Book to record cash and bank transactions.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A Passbook serves as proof of banking transactions and balances.
She presented her Passbook as proof of her savings account balance.
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Jan 05, 2024
Cash book
A Cash Book is a record of all cash transactions of a business.
The accountant updated the Cash Book after recording today's sales.
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Jan 05, 2024
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Passbook
A Passbook shows an account holder's balance and transaction history.
His Passbook revealed all the deposits made in the last month.
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Jan 05, 2024
Cash book
A Cash Book helps in tracking a business's cash flow.
The Cash Book showed a healthy cash balance at the month's end.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A Passbook is maintained by the bank for the account holder.
The bank printed the latest transactions in her Passbook.
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Jan 05, 2024
Cash book
A Cash Book is a primary book of account for cash transactions.
Daily cash transactions are promptly recorded in the Cash Book.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A document formerly issued to a black person in South Africa and used to enforce certain legal and economic restrictions under the apartheid system. Also called reference book.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
(banking) A customer's record of deposits and withdrawals from a savings account at a bank, typically recorded in a small booklet. The bank keeps its own record, which is final in any dispute.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
(dated) A book that passes between a trader and a customer, used to record credit purchases.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A kind of internal passport used during apartheid to limit the movements of citizens outside of their homelands or designated areas.
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A record of deposits and withdrawals and interest held by depositors at certain banks
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Jan 05, 2024
Passbook
A Passbook is updated by the bank during transactions or on request.
He regularly updates his Passbook to keep track of his expenditures.
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Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a Cash Book?
A Cash Book is a financial journal that contains all cash receipts and payments, including bank deposits and withdrawals.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How is a Cash Book balanced?
By ensuring the sum of the debit side (receipts) equals the credit side (payments).
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Jan 29, 2024
What is a Double Column Cash Book?
It has two columns - one for cash transactions and one for bank transactions.
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Jan 29, 2024
Is a Cash Book the same as a ledger?
No, a Cash Book is a subsidiary ledger which records cash transactions; a ledger contains accounts for all transactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Why is a Cash Book important?
It helps in keeping a record of cash transactions, which is essential for maintaining accurate financial statements.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
What are the types of Cash Books?
There are three types: Single Column, Double Column, and Triple Column Cash Books.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
What is a Passbook?
A Passbook is a small book issued by a bank, recording a customer's account balance and transactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
How often should a Passbook be updated?
Ideally, every time a transaction is made, but the frequency depends on the account holder's preference.
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Jan 29, 2024
Can a Cash Book replace a bank statement?
No, a Cash Book records transactions made by a business, while a bank statement is issued by the bank.
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Jan 29, 2024
Can transactions be recorded in a Passbook automatically?
No, it requires manual updating by the bank.
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Jan 29, 2024
What does 'Contra Entry' in a Cash Book mean?
It refers to transactions where both cash and bank accounts are involved, affecting both sides of the Cash Book.
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Jan 29, 2024
What is a Petty Cash Book?
A Petty Cash Book is used for recording small, everyday cash expenses.
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Jan 29, 2024
Is a Passbook the same as a bank statement?
No, a Passbook is a physical book updated regularly, while a bank statement is a periodic summary of account transactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is a Passbook relevant in the digital age?
Its relevance has decreased with digital banking, but it remains useful for those preferring physical records.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Is a Cash Book legally required?
It's not legally required but is essential for accurate financial records and audits.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
Can a Passbook be used for all types of accounts?
Mostly for savings accounts, but it depends on the bank's policies.
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Jan 29, 2024
Is a Passbook secure?
Yes, but it should be kept safe as it contains sensitive account information.
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Jan 29, 2024
What happens if a Passbook is lost?
Notify the bank immediately to issue a replacement and safeguard the account.
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Jan 29, 2024
Can I withdraw money using a Passbook?
Yes, in many banks, a Passbook can be presented for withdrawals.
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Jan 29, 2024
Do all banks provide Passbooks?
Not all, as some banks prefer electronic statements.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 29, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.