Single Column Cash Book: Definition, Format, and Features [Notes with PDF]

In this article, we will learn in-depth about the single-column cash book including its definition, format, features, procedure for preparing a single-column cash book, and much more.

What is a Single Column Cash Book?

A single-column cash book is a book with just one column on the debit and credit side of the amount. It records all the cash receipts on the debit side and all the cash payments on the credit side.

Businesses that don’t deal with banks instead prefer cash transactions, keep single column cash book. Comparatively, Small size business prepares single column cash book.

Since bank transactions are secure and increasing gradually, the number of such businesses and keeping accounts under single column cash book are progressively decreasing.

Features of Single Column Cash Book

The features of single column cash book are as follows:

The style of a single column cash book is just like the ledgers- ‘T’ format. The table is divided into Debit and Credit, where the debit side records the cash receipts transactions and credit records the all-cash payments transactions.
A Single column cash book has ten (10) columns, where the debit and credit side having five (5) columns each.
Generally, the single-column cash book denotes the debit balance since the payments cannot be greater than the receipts but can be equal.

A single column cash book’s balance determination procedure is identical to the “T” format of a ledger.
If any discount is allowed or earned, it is recorded in the journal proper during the settlement of debts and credits, not in a single column cash book.

Format of Single Column Cash Book

Single Column Cash Book

Debit									Credit
Date	Receipts	R.N.	L/F	Amount	Date	Payments	V.N.	L/F	Amount

Procedure for Preparation of Single Column Cash Book

The procedure for preparation of a single column cash book is as follows:

1.Opening Balance: The opening balance of cash should be written on the single column cash book’s debit side.

2. Date: Cash transactions have to be written in chronological order.

3. Cash Transaction: It records all the cash receipts on the debit side and all the cash payments on the credit side.

4. Explanation: Since the cash book is called the primary book, it is better to record the transaction with proper explanation, but it is not mandatory.

5. Check and Bank deposit: A single column cash book must write the receipt of any check on the debit side and the bank deposit on the credit side.

6. Discount: If any discount is allowed or received, it is recorded in the journal proper, not in a single column cash book.

7. Ancillary information: Other information columns should be filled in appropriately as per the cash book table.

8. Balancing: The balance is drawn at the end of the stated period after the cash transactions are properly recorded in the single-column cash book according to the double-entry system. Usually, the cash book denotes the debit cash balance or surplus at the end of the specified time, which is treated as an opening balance for the next period.

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