Bookkeeping records transactions in the business. At the end of the process the bookkeeping record shows a breakdown of transactions according to category Eg Telephone expenditure or Sales.

Annual Accounts are a standardised way of presenting the bookkeeping records. The role of the accountant is to adjust the bookkeeping information according to accounting standards (Eg FRS 105 or 102) and summarise the figures in a particular format with prescribed notes. In the case of Statutory Accounts they form a legal document.