Assets are recorded on the balance sheet at cost, meaning that all costs to purchase the asset and to prepare the asset for operation should be included. When you first purchase new equipment, you need to debit the specific equipment (ie, asset) account.And, credit the account you pay for the asset from. To record the entry, the company will debit the purchase account, and a credit entry will be recorded under accounts payable. Merchandise are purchased either for cash or on account. In the first entry, we debit the accounts receivable account and credit the purchase returns and allowances account.