When an account has been debited, it means money has been taken out from the account. Double-entry accounting is used by firms to get the balance sheet and the first entry is the debit entry. Accounts having positive balance receive debits and these are called positive accounts. If the accounts and liabilities are maintained in a negative balance, you get credits for it. The opening balance of a new financial year can be in debit or in credit, depending on various factors; hence, it shows in either side of the ledger.