Credits in accounting affect which of the following?

In accounting, credits have specific effects on the financial statements, particularly concerning the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity). When a credit is recorded, it typically represents an increase in liabilities and equity accounts.

Liabilities, such as loans or accounts payable, increase when a credit is applied, indicating that the company owes more. Similarly, equity accounts, which represent the owners' claim on the assets after all liabilities have been settled, also increase due to credits, reflecting additional investments or retained earnings.

As for assets, they generally decrease when a credit is recorded. This is because assets are typically debited to reflect increases, and credits in this context do not support an increase in asset value. Therefore, the understanding that credits increase liabilities and equity while decreasing assets aligns perfectly with standard accounting practices.

In this instance, selecting the answer that correctly indicates that credits increase liabilities and equity while highlighting the essential functions associated with these transactions is crucial for grasping fundamental accounting concepts.