Rectifying two-sided errors

To correct (rectify) an error, never rub out or cut the wrong figure. Pass a new rectifying entry. The method is always the same: write the correct entry, write the wrong entry that was actually made, and compare them. The rectifying entry is the difference: correct minus wrong.

• An account that got too little debit or too much credit is debited.
• An account that got too much debit or too little credit is credited.

Two-sided errors affect two accounts equally, so the trial balance still agreed. They are corrected between those accounts directly, with no suspense account. Examples:

• Omission: credit sales to Mohan of ₹10,000 not recorded at all. Just record it now: Mohan A/c Dr, To Sales A/c ₹10,000.
• Wrong amount, too little: recorded as ₹1,000. Add the rest: Mohan Dr ₹9,000, To Sales ₹9,000.
• Wrong amount, too much: recorded as ₹12,000. Take back the extra: Sales Dr ₹2,000, To Mohan ₹2,000.
• Wrong account: posted to Ram instead of Mohan. Move it across: Mohan Dr ₹10,000, To Ram ₹10,000. In the same way, cash from Karim posted to Nadeem: Nadeem Dr, To Karim.

• Wrong book: a credit sale of ₹5,000 to Rajni recorded in the purchases book. Rajni was credited ₹5,000 instead of debited, Purchases was debited ₹5,000 by mistake, and Sales got nothing. Rectify: Rajni Dr ₹10,000, To Purchases ₹5,000, To Sales ₹5,000.
• Error of principle: furniture bought for ₹10,000 recorded in the purchases book. Furniture A/c Dr, To Purchases A/c. Rent of ₹2,000 posted to the landlord's personal account: Rent A/c Dr, To Landlord A/c.