jaksottamisperiaate

Jaksottamisperiaate, also known as the matching principle or accrual basis of accounting, is a fundamental concept in accounting. It dictates that expenses should be recognized in the same accounting period as the revenues they help to generate. This principle ensures that a company's financial statements provide a more accurate picture of its profitability over a given period.

For example, if a company incurs advertising costs in January to promote sales that are expected to occur in February, the advertising expense should be recognized in February, not January. Similarly, if a company makes a sale in January but does not receive payment until February, the revenue should be recognized in January, as it was earned in that period. This contrasts with the cash basis of accounting, which recognizes revenues and expenses only when cash is received or paid.

The jaksottamisperiaate is crucial for creating financial statements that reflect the economic reality of a company's operations. By matching revenues and expenses, it allows for a more reliable calculation of net income and a better understanding of a company's financial performance over time. It is a cornerstone of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).