Although credit note is sent by supplier as a result of accepting sales return. But this does not mean that it is always the case. For example if a previous invoice sent by supplier is under casted or under valued or for whatever reason the amount involved is lesser than actual and needs correction. If this mistake is corrected, supplier’s assets in terms of receivables will increase and on the other hand customer’s liability towards supplier will increase. To record increase in receivables supplier will debit the account thus giving rise to debit note and customer will credit the payables account thus giving rise to credit note and so debit note will be sent by supplier to customer and credit note will be sent by customer to supplier.
As credit note is one of the source documents and works in combination with invoices therefore, credit note (and also debit note) must be taken serious as they can affect entity’s entity’s rights and obligations and careless use of such documents may materially misstate financial statements. Due to same reason such source documents play important role and auditors obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence in respect of credit and debit memorandums.