The current account records exports and imports of goods and services as well as unilateral transfers whereas the capital account records transactions of purchase and sale of foreign assets and liabilities during a particular year. The current account considers goods and services currently being produced. The credit and debit of foreign exchange due to these transactions are also recorded in the balance of current account. The capital account is concerned with payments of debts and claims, regardless of the time period. The balance of capital account includes all items reflecting changes in stocks.

The balance of payments contains two accounts: current and capital. The current account deals with short-term transactions known as actual transactions, as they have a real impact on income, output and employment levels of a country through the movement of goods and services in the economy. It is comprised of visible trade (export and import of goods), invisible trade (export and import of services), unilateral transfers, and investment income (income from factors such as land or foreign shares). The resulting balance of the current account is approximated as the sum total of balance of trade.

The current account records exports and imports of goods and services as well as unilateral transfers whereas the capital account records transactions of purchase and sale of foreign assets and