EDUCBA

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Free Tutorials
  • Certification Courses
  • 250+ Courses All in One Bundle
  • Login

Creditor vs Debtor

By Madhuri ThakurMadhuri Thakur

Home » Finance » Blog » Accounting Fundamentals » Creditor vs Debtor

Creditors vs Debtors

Difference Between Creditor vs Debtor

Creditors and Debtors are part and parcel of every business. Purchasing and selling goods or services for credit changes the relationship between a seller and buyer to a Creditor vs Debtor. They help the business run on credit cycles, so a business doesn’t feel any liquidity pressure in its day to day activity. Any purchase made on credit will be added in creditors on the current liabilities side of the balance sheet while every sale made on credit will be added in Debtors to the current assets side on your balance sheet. Creditors vs Debtor are also important to determine a credit policy for the company as they plan for the company’s liquidity over a particular period.

What is a Creditor?

Oxford Dictionary defines a creditor as “A person or company to whom money is owing”. Simply put, Creditors are companies, organizations, or people to whom you owe money for any goods or services received or a loan taken. In business, we normally use the word creditor for any supplier who gives us goods or provides credit services. Let’s take an example: If Firm A buys goods worth ₹10,000 and promises to pay to Firm B after 90 days. The goods purchased will be called as purchased on credit for Firm A. While Firm B will be called a creditor in Firm A’s books of accounts, all dues to the firm are completed. Creditors affect ratios like the Current ratio and the Quick ratio as they form part of the current liabilities in the Balance Sheet.

Start Your Free Investment Banking Course

Download Corporate Valuation, Investment Banking, Accounting, CFA Calculator & others

What is Debtor?

Oxford Dictionary defines debtor as “A person, country, or organization that owes money.” Simply put, Debtors are companies, organizations or people who owe money to you for any goods or services provided or a loan given. In business, we normally use the word debtor for any customer to whom we sell goods or provide service on credit. Let’s take an example: If Firm A sells goods worth ₹10,000 and Firm B promises to pay after 90 days. The goods sold will be called as sold on credit for Firm A. While Firm B will be called a debtor in Firm A’s books of accounts, all dues to the firm are completed. Debtors affect the Current ratio as they form part of the current assets in the Balance Sheet.

Head to Head Comparison between Creditor vs Debtor (Infographics)

Below is the top 10 difference between Creditor vs DebtorCreditors vs Debtors info

Key Differences between Creditor vs Debtor

Both Creditors vs Debtor is a topmost and important position in the organization. Let us discuss some of the major differences between Creditor vs Debtor.

  • Creditors are people/entities to whom the company has an obligation to pay a certain sum of money. Debtors are people/entities who owe a sum of money to the company.
  • Creditors are Account Payable and reside under current liabilities in the Balance Sheet. Debtors are Account Receivable and reside under current assets in the Balance Sheet.
  • Non-payment of dues to creditors affect the working capital cycle positively but negatively affects Credit status. Non-receipt from the Debtors affects the working capital cycle positively but does not affect Credit status.
  • As a credit, it is easier to dictate terms to the supplier on how much credit is required and the term thereof. As a debt, or it is comparatively difficult to dictate terms to a customer regarding the credit period and term thereof.
  • Higher creditors harm the Working Capital and liquidity ratios. Higher Debtors have a positive impact on Working Capital and liquidity ratios.
  • There is no requirement for the creation of provision of creditors. Provision of Doubtful Debt is required to be created for Debtors according to the Accounting Policies.

Creditor vs Debtor Comparison Table

Let’s look at the topmost Comparison between Creditor vs Debtor.

The Basis of Comparison Between Creditors vs Debtors

Creditors

Debtors

Meaning A person who you owe money to in exchange of goods purchased or services received A person who owes you money in exchange for goods sold or services rendered.
What is it? It is an account payable. It is an account receivable.
Place in Financial Statement It is a Balance Sheet item on the liabilities side. It is a Balance Sheet item on the Asset side.
Benefit It helps the firm use the goods or services in advance to the actual payment date and thus enjoy a credit period before the actual payment. It helps increase customers as normally the customers would prefer a credit purchase instead of cash.
Impact on Profit Margins No impact on Profit Margins No impact on Profit Margins
Impact on Cashflow Positive impact on cash flow as the payment is made at a later date. Negative impact on cash flow as the payment will be received at a later date.
Impact on Working Capital High creditors will reduce working capital. High creditors will increase working capital.
Impact on Liquidity Ratios Yes, it will affect the current ratio and quick ratio. Yes, it will affect the current ratio.
Provisions No provisions to be made Provisions of Doubtful Debts to be created as per Accounting Policies
Impact on Capital Structure No impact on Capital Structure No impact on Capital Structure

Conclusion – Creditor vs Debtor

For operating any business Creditor vs Debtor are very important stakeholders as most businesses run on credit. A business needs to have a good liquidity position. Ratios like the Current ratio and the Quick ratio measure the current liquidity situation is of the company. Creditor vs Debtor is an important part of the said, and they form an important part of the company’s liquidity position. A credit policy is made with specific reference to the credit period received/allowed and the amount received/given on credit so the company can plan properly in advance regarding its credit cycle. It is important to have a strong and robust credit policy in place, so the business does not get working capital stress.

Popular Course in this category
All in One Financial Analyst Bundle (250+ Courses, 40+ Projects)250+ Online Courses | 1000+ Hours | Verifiable Certificates | Lifetime Access
4.9 (3,296 ratings)
Course Price

View Course

Related Courses
Finance for Non Finance Managers Course (7 Courses)Cost Accounting Course (5 Courses)US GAAP Course (29 Courses with 2020 Updated)

Thus, Creditor vs Debtor is important for every business as they play a huge part in running the business and its liquidity situation.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to the top difference between creditor vs Debtor Here we also discuss the Creditor vs Debtor key differences with infographics and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more.

  1. Top Differences Between Debit vs Credit
  2. Finance vs Economics – Top Comparison
  3. Stock vs Option – Which One Is Better
  4. Accounting vs Financial Management

All in One Financial Analyst Bundle (250+ Courses, 40+ Projects)

250+ Online Courses

1000+ Hours

Verifiable Certificates

Lifetime Access

Learn More

3 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share
Primary Sidebar
Finance Blog
  • Accounting fundamentals
    • Earned Income
    • Explicit Cost
    • External Audit
    • Accrued Expense
    • Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
    • Depreciation Tax Shield
    • Accounts Receivable Financing
    • Audit Report Qualified Opinion
    • Audit Report
    • Audit Report Examples
    • Marginal Tax Rate
    • Marginal Tax Rate
    • Direct vs Indirect Cash Flow Methods
    • Salvage Value
    • Balance Sheet Analysis
    • Current Liabilities Examples
    • Debtor
    • Other Comprehensive Income
    • Period Costs
    • Inventories List
    • Marketable Securities in Balance Sheet
    • Gross Sales
    • Tax Haven
    • Interim Reporting
    • Date of Record of Dividends
    • Short Term Assets
    • Revenue Streams
    • Tax Planning
    • Accounts Receivable Journal Entry
    • Book Profit
    • Capital Budgeting Importance
    • Accounts Payable Cycle
    • Inventory Audit
    • Estimated Tax
    • Dividend Declared
    • SG & A Expenses
    • Tax Lien
    • Excise Tax Examples
    • Accelerated Share Repurchase
    • Accounting Ethics
    • Accounts Payable Credit or Debit
    • Accounting for Fair Value Hedges
    • Long Term Debt in Balance Sheet
    • Assets Example
    • Audit Assertions
    • Accounts Receivable Process
    • List of Operating Expenses
    • Income Tax Accounting
    • Non-Operating Expenses
    • Unrealized Gains and Loses
    • Warranty Expense
    • What is Budgeting?
    • WIP Inventory
    • Current Liabilities
    • Zero Based Budgeting
    • Types of Liabilities on Balance Sheet
    • Marginal Costing vs Absorption Costing
    • Non-Current Liabilities Examples
    • Cash Equivalents
    • Types of Assets
    • Assets List
    • Deferred Income Tax
    • Working Capital Management Importance
    • Extraordinary Items
    • Deferred Tax
    • Long Term Liabilities
    • Perpetual Inventory System
    • Intangible Assets Examples
    • Goodwill
    • Working Capital Loan
    • Consolidated Financial Statement
    • Contingent Asset
    • Cash and Cash Equivalents
    • Fixed Assets
    • Current Asset
    • Financial Assets Types
    • Financial Assets
    • Wasting Asset
    • Write off
    • Objectives of Financial Statement Analysis
    • Earnout
    • Hire Purchase
    • Sublease
    • Off Balance Sheet
    • Liabilities Example
    • Leasehold
    • Off Balance Sheet Financing
    • Revolving Credit Facility
    • General Reserve
    • Accounting Information System
    • Accounting Transaction
    • Limitations of Financial Statement Analysis
    • 3 Types of Inventory
    • Cook the Books
    • Non Performing Assets
    • Revenue Reserve
    • Commitments and Contingencies
    • Conservatism Principle of Accounting
    • Money Measurement Concept
    • Materiality Concept
    • Types of Accounting
    • Types of Financial Statements
    • Balance Sheet Items
    • Components of Financial Statements
    • Cost Method
    • Related Party Transactions
    • Relevance in Accounting
    • Responsibility Accounting
    • Tragedy of the Commons
    • Accounts Receivable Aging
    • Accounting Scandals
    • Cost Benefit Principle
    • Accrual Accounting Examples
    • Fiscal Year
    • Financial Statement Limitations
    • Grey List
    • Objectives of Financial Statements
    • What are Accounting Principles?
    • Accounting Controls
    • Users of Financial Statements
    • Accounting Cycle
    • Accounting Estimates
    • Window Dressing in Accounting
    • What are Accounting Policies?
    • Fringe Benefits
    • Full Disclosure Principle
    • Financial Statement Examples
    • Sunk Cost
    • Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio
    • Days in Inventory
    • Current Ratio vs Quick Ratio
    • Investment Banking vs Private Equity
    • Private Equity vs Hedge Fund
    • Accounting Ratios
    • Shell Corporation
    • Cost Accounting Career
    • Funds from Operations
    • Accounting Career
    • Actuaries Career
    • General Ledger Accounting
    • Forensic Accounting Career
    • Auditing Career
    • Budgeting Career
    • Gross Profit Ratio
    • Management Accounting Career
    • Cycle Counting
    • Going Concern Concept
    • Debit Note vs Credit Note
    • EBIT vs Net Income
    • EBIT vs Operating Income
    • EBITDA vs Net Income
    • EBITDA vs Operating Income
    • GAPP vs Non-GAAP
    • Finance vs Lease
    • Gross sales vs Net sales
    • Income Tax vs Payroll Tax
    • Mortgage Banker vs Broker
    • Revenue vs Net Income
    • Shareholder vs Stakeholder
    • Stock Option vs RSU
    • Full Form of FYI
    • Return on Invested Capital
    • Transaction Exposure
    • LLC vs Partnership
    • Replacement Cost
    • Unit Contribution Margin
    • Accounts Payable vs Notes Payable
    • CA vs CS
    • Capitalizing vs Expensing
    • CPA vs CA
    • Trial Balance vs Balance Sheet
    • CA vs MBA
    • Merger Accounting
    • Cash Management
    • Sole Proprietorship vs LLC
    • Manufacturing Overhead
    • Asset Retirement Obligation
    • Temporary Account
    • Leveraged Lease
    • Predetermined Overhead Rate
    • Drag-Along Rights
    • Special Journal
    • Interest vs Dividend
    • Direct Materials
    • Accounting Method
    • Return on Sales
    • Calendar Year vs Fiscal Year
    • Contribution Margin Income Statement
    • Activity Based Budgeting
    • Common Size Income Statement
    • Capital Lease vs Operating Lease
    • Insolvency vs Bankruptcy
    • Vertical Analysis of Income Statement
    • Debt vs Equity Financing
    • Adjusted EBITDA
    • LLC vs Inc
    • Return on Average Capital Employed
    • Stocks vs Real Estate
    • Return on Equity
    • Return on Capital Employed
    • Diluted Earnings Per Share
    • Limited Partner vs General Partner
    • Basic EPS
    • Cash Flow Return on Investment
    • Fixed vs Variable
    • Public Company vs Private Company
    • Market Order vs Limit Order
    • Return on Total Assets
    • Hard Cost vs Soft Cost
    • Return on Average Assets
    • Ethereum vs Ethereum Classic
    • Capital Employed
    • Gross Profit Percentage
    • OIBDA
    • Average Collection Period
    • Profit Margin
    • EBITDA Margin
    • Working Capital Turnover Ratio
    • Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate
    • CFO vs Controller
    • Accounting Interview Questions
    • EBITDA
    • Asymmetric Information
    • Days Payable Outstanding
    • Journal Examples
    • Debit vs Credit
    • Lease vs Rent
    • Buying vs Leasing
    • Finance Job From Engineering
    • Days Inventory Outstanding
    • Horizontal Integration Example
    • Revenue Expenditure
    • Accounts Payable Turnover Ratio
    • Statement of Cash Flows
    • Days Sales Uncollected
    • Days Sales Outstanding
    • Statement of Income Example
    • Unadjusted Trial Balance
    • Red Herring Example
    • Revenue vs Turnover
    • Functions of Financial Market
    • Cost of Goods Sold Example
    • Operating Ratio
    • Stock Turnover Ratio
    • Bill of Sale Examples
    • Break Even Analysis Example
    • Financial Analysis Example
    • Statement of Retained Earnings Example
    • Equity Ratio
    • Long Term Liabilities Example
    • Defensive Interval Ratio
    • Operating Expense Example
    • Solvency Ratio
    • Capital Adequacy Ratio
    • Cash Flow From Operations Ratio
    • Working Capital Example
    • Cash Reserve Ratio
    • Quick Ratio
    • Loan Sharks
    • Fixed Asset Examples
    • Partnership Example
    • Standard Deviation Examples
    • Accounting vs CPA
    • Period Cost vs Product Cost
    • Cash Ratio
    • Investment vs Speculation
    • Annuity vs Lump Sum
    • Bank Draft vs Certified Cheque
    • Bidding vs Auction
    • Better in Business and Finance
    • Direct Tax vs Indirect Tax
    • Financial Ratio Analysis Technique
    • EPS and Diluted EPS
    • Stocks vs Bonds
    • IFRS Vs US GAAP
    • Finance Degree Career Options
    • Tax Slabs & Rates
    • Lease vs Buy
    • Interest Rate vs Annual Percentage Rate
    • Long Term vs Short Term Capital Gains
    • Memorandum of Association vs Article of Association
    • Large Cap vs Small Cap
    • CPA vs CMA
    • Assets vs Liabilities
    • Revenue vs Income
    • Bookkeeping vs Accounting
    • Financial Lease vs Operating Lease
    • EBIT vs EBITDA
    • Revenue vs Sales
    • Common stock vs Preferred stock
    • US GAAP vs IFRS
    • Current Account vs Capital Account
    • IFRS in India
    • Finance vs Economics
    • ACCA vs CIMA
    • Current Assets vs Non Current Assets
    • Economic Examples
    • Investment vs savings
    • Active vs Passive Investing
    • Financial Accounting vs Management Accounting
    • Revenue vs Earnings
    • Trade Discount vs Cash Discount
    • Limited Liability Company
    • Finance for Non Finance Professionals
    • Costs vs Expenses
    • Chapter 11 vs Chapter 13
    • Why Financial Analytics
    • Accounting vs Financial Management
    • ACA vs ACCA
    • ACCA vs CPA
    • Budget vs Forecast
    • Positive Economics vs Normative Economics
    • CA vs ACCA
    • Stakeholders Example
    • Stock vs Options
    • Liquidity vs Solvency
    • Stock vs Equities
    • Franchising vs Licensing
    • GDP vs GNP
    • Inflation vs Deflation
    • Economic Growth vs Economic Development
    • Direct cost vs Indirect Cost
    • Accrual Accounting vs Cash Accounting
    • FCFF vs FCFE
    • Public vs Private Accounting
    • Capex vs Opex
    • BSE vs NSE
    • Loans vs Advances
    • Discount Rate vs Interest Rate
    • ROIC vs ROCE
    • Percentage Of Completion Method
    • 10K vs 10Q
    • Shares Outstanding vs Float
    • Contribution Margin vs Gross Margin
    • Short Term vs Long Term Capital Gains
    • General Journal vs General Ledger
    • Outsourcing vs Offshoring
    • Depreciation vs Amortization
    • Liability vs Debt
    • Asset Purchase vs Stock Purchase
    • Accrual vs Provision
    • Actuary vs Accountant
    • Stock vs Inventory
    • Liability vs Expense
    • Dividends EX-Date vs Record Date
    • Bid Price vs Ask Price
    • Dividend vs Growth
    • Time vs Money
    • IRA vs 401 (k)
    • Corporation vs LLC
    • CEO vs President
    • Margin vs Markup
    • Leasehold vs Freehold
    • Lending vs Borrowing
    • Non-Profit vs Not For Profit
    • Corporation vs Incorporation
    • CFO vs CEO
    • Purchase vs Procurement
    • Deficit vs Debt
    • Internal Audit Vs External Audit
    • C Corp vs S Corp
    • Absolute Advantage vs Comparative Advantage
    • Tangible vs Intangible
    • Executive Director vs Managing Director
    • Company vs Firm
    • Insurance vs Assurance
    • Expense vs Expenditure
    • Hard Money vs Soft Money
    • Entrepreneurship vs Management
    • Loan vs Mortgage
    • Fair Value vs Market Value
    • Chief Executive Officer vs Managing Director
    • Manufacturing vs Production
    • Random Error vs Systematic Error
    • 401(K) vs Roth IRA
    • 403(b) vs 457
    • Adjusting Entries
    • Equity vs Commodity
    • Turnover vs Profit
    • Effective Interest Rate
    • Working Capital Ratio
    • Margin vs Profit
    • Loan vs Lease
    • Shares vs Debentures
    • Equity vs Fixed Income
    • Market Equilibrium
    • Economics vs Business
    • Secured vs Unsecured Credit Card
    • Profitability vs Liquidity
    • Z score vs T score
    • Equity vs Asset
    • Geometric Mean vs Arithmetic Mean
    • Cost vs Price
    • Industry vs Sector
    • ShortSale vs Foreclosure
    • Revenue vs Profit
    • Real Interest Rate
    • Account Payable vs Accrued Expense
    • Day Trading vs Swing Trading
    • Indirect Costs
    • Graphs vs Charts
    • Issued Shares vs Outstanding Shares
    • Creditor vs Debtor
    • Annuity vs IRA
    • Pension vs Annuity
    • Debt Consolidation vs Bankruptcy
    • Equity vs Shares
    • Economic Utility
    • Average vs Weighted Average
    • Operating Profit vs Net Profit
    • Purpose of Income Statement
    • NASDAQ vs Dow Jones
    • Direct Method of Cash Flow Statement
    • Real GDP
    • Derivatives Example
    • Nominal GDP
    • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
    • Cost of Sales vs Cost of Goods Sold
    • Historical Value vs Fair Value
    • General Ledger vs Trial Balance
    • Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost
    • Job Costing vs Process Costing
    • Standard Cost vs Actual Cost
    • 401k vs Annuity
    • FIFO vs LIFO
    • Bid Price vs Offer Price
    • Sole Proprietorship vs Partnership
    • Equity Shares vs Preference Shares
    • Debt vs Equity
    • Cost Accounting vs Financial Accounting
    • Coupon vs Yield
    • Career in Finance
    • Gross Salary vs Net Salary
    • Tax Credit vs Tax Deduction
    • Variance vs Standard Deviation
    • What is Disposable Income
    • Liabilities in Accounting
    • Chapter 7 vs Chapter 11
    • Budgeting Examples
    • Fixed Costs Example
    • Joint Venture Example
    • Quantitative Research Example
    • Bootstrapping Examples
    • Monopoly Examples
    • Monopolistic Competition Examples
    • Risk Assessment Example
    • Inflation Accounting
    • Defined Benefit Plan
    • Variable Costing Example
    • Acquisition Examples
    • Cognitive Dissonance Example
    • Opportunity Costs Examples
    • Globalization Example
    • Histogram Examples
    • Mean Example
    • Trial Balance Example
    • Command Economy Examples
    • Sunk Cost Examples
    • Compounding Example
    • Compound Interest Example
    • Profit vs Income
    • Joint Venture vs Partnership
    • Comparative Advantage Example
    • Bank Reconciliation Example
    • Competitive Advantage Example
    • Accrual vs Deferral
  • Asset Management Tutorial (117+)
  • Banking (43+)
  • Corporate Finance Basics (126+)
  • Credit Research Fundamentals (6+)
  • Economics (44+)
  • Finance Formula (372+)
  • Financial Modeling in Excel (13+)
  • Investment Banking Basics (60+)
  • Investment Banking Careers (26+)
  • Trading for dummies (66+)
  • valuation basics (25+)
Finance Blog Courses
  • Finance for Non Finance Managers Certification
  • Cost Accounting Course
  • US GAAP Course
Footer
About Us
  • Blog
  • Who is EDUCBA?
  • Sign Up
  • Corporate Training
  • Certificate from Top Institutions
  • Contact Us
  • Verifiable Certificate
  • Reviews
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  •  
Apps
  • iPhone & iPad
  • Android
Resources
  • Free Courses
  • Investment Banking Jobs Offer
  • Finance Formula
  • All Tutorials
Certification Courses
  • All Courses
  • Financial Analyst All in One Bundle
  • Investment Banking Training
  • Financial Modeling Course
  • Equity Research Course
  • Private Equity Training Course
  • Business Valuation Course
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Course

© 2020 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

EDUCBA
Free Investment Banking Course

Corporate Valuation, Investment Banking, Accounting, CFA Calculator & others

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
Book Your One Instructor : One Learner Free Class

Let’s Get Started

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA
Free Investment Banking Course

Corporate Valuation, Investment Banking, Accounting, CFA Calculator & others

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

Special Offer - All in One Financial Analyst Bundle (250+ Courses, 40+ Projects) Learn More