How is equipment treated in accounting when purchased on account?

When equipment is purchased on account, it is debited as an asset in the accounting records. This reflects the fact that the company has acquired a valuable resource that will provide future economic benefits. The transaction signifies an increase in the company's assets, which is represented by the addition of the equipment to the balance sheet.

Debiting the equipment account records the asset's value, while simultaneously recognizing a liability to pay for that equipment in the future because it was purchased on account. This establishes the obligation to make payment at a later date and balances the equation of assets and liabilities. Thus, the purchase results in an increase in both assets (the equipment) and liabilities (the accounts payable).

The other options do not accurately capture this accounting process: the equipment should not merely be credited, nor is it recorded as an expense at the point of purchase, as expenses are typically recognized when they are incurred and do not represent an asset. Lastly, it is always recorded, especially for significant purchases like equipment, as businesses need to track their capital assets for financial reporting and planning purposes.