Which concept holds that expenses should be recorded in the same accounting period as the related revenues?

The concept that expenses should be recorded in the same accounting period as the related revenues is known as the Expense Recognition Principle. This principle ensures that expenses are matched with the revenues they help to generate, providing a clearer picture of a company's financial performance within a specific period. By adhering to this principle, businesses can accurately assess their profitability, as it aligns the timing of expense recognition with the related revenue recognition.

In contrast, cash basis accounting records revenues and expenses when cash is exchanged, which may not accurately reflect the timing of when revenues are earned or expenses are incurred. Accrual basis accounting, while related, primarily focuses on recognizing revenues when they are earned, regardless of cash flow. The revenue recognition principle specifically addresses when to recognize revenue, leaving the timing of expense recognition to the Expense Recognition Principle, which emphasizes the matching of expenses to revenues in the same accounting period.