What is a Journal Entry in Accounting?
Journal entry is an entry to the journal. Journal is a record that keeps accounting transactions in chronological order, i.e. as they occur. Ledger is a record that keeps accounting transactions by accounts. Account is a unit to record and summarize accounting transactions. All accounting transactions are recorded through journal entries that show account names, amounts, and whether those accounts are recorded in debit or credit side of accounts.
After the business event is identified and analyzed, it can be recorded. Journal entries use debits and credits to record the changes of the accounting equation in the general journal. Traditional journal entry format dictates that debited accounts are listed before credited accounts. Each journal entry is also accompanied by the transaction date, title, and description of the event. The whole accounting transactions are based on three basic rule there are three golden rules of accounting.
Since there are so many different types of business transactions, accountants usually categorize them and record them in separate journal to help keep track of business events. For instance, cash was used to purchase this vehicle, so this transaction would most likely be recorded in the cash disbursements journal. There are numerous other journals like the sales journal, purchases journal, and accounts receivable journal.
