Which basis of accounting primarily records actual costs and sales?

The basis of accounting that primarily records actual costs and sales is best described as the Actual Costs Basis. This method focuses on recording transactions at their real, incurred costs as opposed to estimated values or projected figures. It ensures that financial statements reflect the actual financial position and performance of a business based on tangible data.

In contrast, cash basis accounting records revenues and expenses only when cash changes hands, which may not provide a complete picture of financial performance over a period that involves credit transactions or deferred payments. Accrual accounting, on the other hand, recognizes revenues and expenses when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when cash is exchanged, leading to a different reporting framework that emphasizes timing issues. Budgeting is a planning tool rather than an accounting basis and helps in estimating future financial performance but does not directly record transactions like the Actual Costs Basis does. Thus, the Actual Costs Basis explicitly aligns with the principle of documenting transactions at their genuine cost, making it the correct choice.