Source Documents

Recall that one qualitative characteristics of accounting is reliability.  In order to be reliable, the accounting information must be verifiable. Verifiability of accounting records means that the entries therein are supported by source documents.

Source Documents are the forms, invoices, receipts, legal papers, or other documents which underlie a business transaction.  These are the so-called evidential matter.   Existence of evidential matter supports and corroborates the objectivity of accounting records.

Below are examples of source documents which underlie an economic event:

• Sales Invoices 
• Official  Receipts    
• Check
• Check Voucher
• Petty Cash Voucher
• Promissory Note
• Debit Memorandum
• Credit Memorandum
• Bank Deposit Slip
• Payroll Records
• Statement of Account or Billing
• Contract of Lease
• Memorandum of Agreement

Note: Click each document to read definition and samples