Bookkeeping & Reporting

Journal Entry

A journal entry is the accounting record used to post a transaction or adjustment to the books.

Quick answer

A journal entry is the accounting record used to post a transaction or adjustment to the books.

It matters because cleanup work, accruals, reclasses, and month-end closes often depend on accurate journal entries.

A CPA may post a journal entry to record depreciation expense at month end.

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Plain-English Definition

What Journal Entry means

A journal entry is the accounting record used to post a transaction or adjustment to the books.

Why it matters It matters because cleanup work, accruals, reclasses, and month-end closes often depend on accurate journal entries.
Simple example A CPA may post a journal entry to record depreciation expense at month end.
Related Questions

Questions people ask about Journal Entry

What does Journal Entry mean?

A journal entry is the accounting record used to post a transaction or adjustment to the books.

Why does Journal Entry matter?

It matters because cleanup work, accruals, reclasses, and month-end closes often depend on accurate journal entries.

What is a simple example of Journal Entry?

A CPA may post a journal entry to record depreciation expense at month end.

When should I ask a CPA about Journal Entry?

Ask a CPA when the term changes how your books are kept, how reports are read, or how tax numbers are produced from accounting records.

How is Journal Entry different from General Ledger?

Journal Entry means A journal entry is the accounting record used to post a transaction or adjustment to the books. General Ledger means The general ledger is the master record of a business's financial transactions by account. The difference is that they apply to different tax, accounting, or business situations and should not be treated as interchangeable.

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