Khata
A khata is a ledger or account book, the bahi-khata, where a business records credit given to each buyer and payments received.
Also called: bahi-khata, ledger, account book, party ledger
What it means
A khata is the record of who owes you what. Traditionally it was a red cloth-bound bahi-khata; today it may be a Tally ledger, a spreadsheet or a mobile khata app. Each buyer, or party, has its own page showing invoices raised, payments received and the running balance.
A clean khata answers three questions at a glance: how much is outstanding, since when, and what was promised.
Why it matters for getting paid
You cannot collect what you cannot see. A khata that only shows totals hides which invoices are old and which are fresh. When a buyer disputes a balance, an invoice-wise khata with dates settles the argument quickly and politely.
Good khata practice for collections:
- Record each invoice separately with its date and due date.
- Match every payment to specific invoices, not just "on account".
- Note promises and calls next to the entry.
- Share a statement of account with the buyer regularly.
Example: A buyer shows a balance of ₹1,80,000. An invoice-wise khata reveals ₹60,000 of it is over 90 days old. That old amount needs attention first.
Turn your khata into an overdue ageing report with the free overdue ageing calculator, and track your DSO over time.