Käteisperusteessa

Käteisperusteessa refers to the cash basis accounting method, which records financial transactions when cash actually changes hands. Unlike the accrual basis, which records revenues and expenses when earned or incurred regardless of payment timing, the cash basis provides a more straightforward view of an entity's liquidity. It is commonly used by small businesses and sole proprietors, especially in jurisdictions where regulatory requirements allow or encourage simpler reporting.

The fundamental principle of käteisperusteessa is that income is recognised only when cash is received and expenses are recognised only when cash is paid. This can result in a mismatch between economic activity and recorded figures, as revenues earned but not yet received appear later, and payments for goods or services purchased in advance may be recorded earlier than the associated income. For that reason, cash-basis accounting is less suitable for larger organisations or those required to prepare comprehensive annual accounts under accounting standards that emphasise accruals.

In many countries, including Finland, firms above certain size thresholds must adopt the accrual method for statutory reporting, but they may still use cash-basis for internal cash flow analysis. Tax authorities generally accept cash-basis reporting for tax purposes, provided the method is applied consistently throughout the reporting period. Transitioning from cash to accrual basis usually involves adjusting opening balances for receivables, payables, and deferred revenues or expenses to reflect their expected economic effect.

Overall, käteisperusteessa offers simplicity and a clear picture of actual cash movements, but it sacrifices some accuracy in depicting an entity's true financial position over time.