Terminology for the two sides of the accounts

1.49 The system employs the term 'resources' for the right side of the current accounts where transactions appear which add to the amount of economic value of a unit or a sector. The left side of the accounts, which relates to transactions that reduce the amount of economic value of a unit or sector, is termed 'uses'.

The right side of the accumulation accounts is called 'changes in liabilities and net worth' and their left side is called 'changes in assets'.

Balance sheets are presented with 'liabilities and net worth' (the difference between assets and liabilities) on the right side and 'assets' on the left. Comparison of two successive balance sheets shows changes in liabilities and net worth and changes in assets.