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What is a two-column versus three-column difference in one line?

Beginner

Answer

A two-column cash book has cash and bank money columns only; a three-column cash book adds a discount memorandum column on each side for discounts allowed (receipts side) and discounts received (payments side). The extra columns speed the recording and posting of settlement discounts.
Real-world example A business offering prompt-payment discounts adds discount columns, making its cash book three-column.

Common follow-ups: What does the third column add? | Which discounts go on the receipts side?