Association accounting
Associations often account for receipts and payments rather than by double entry; added to that are restricted funds that must be shown separately.
Definition
An association is only required to keep double-entry books once it is registered in the commercial register or subject to audit. Below that, simple accounts suffice — which widens the choice of programs considerably.
The difference from company accounts lies in the restricted funds: a donation for a specific project may not be used for day-to-day operations, and the annual accounts should show what is restricted and what is free. Company bookkeeping does not know that distinction.
Where to read it
What the software must be able to do
What is needed: funds or restricted accounts with their own reporting, simple receipts-and-payments accounting, and a closing the association’s auditors can check — usually two members with no accounting training.
Checked Aug 2026
More terms under Bookkeeping and retention: Accrual principle Accrued liabilities Annual accounts Balance sheet Balance sheet total Book value Break-even point Business assets Business expenses Cash book Cash flow statement Cash receipts Contribution margin Cost centre Current assets Debit and credit Depreciation Double-entry bookkeeping Duty to keep accounts EBIT EBITDA Equity Equity ratio Financial year Fixed assets Fixed costs Foreign currency General ledger Gross profit Hidden reserves Income statement Inventory count Journal Journal entry Liabilities Liquidity Loss carry-forward Membership dues Net profit Opening balance sheet Overheads Pass-through item Prepaid expenses Provision Record-keeping ordinance Reserves Retained profit Simple accounts Swiss SME chart of accounts Tamper resistance Turnover Value adjustment Variable costs Volunteer-run structure Voucher Year-end closing modules