Journal

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Journal


Journal

Quick Summary of Journal


An accounting record where all business transactions are originally entered. A journal details which transactions occurred and what accounts were affected. Journal entries are usually recorded in chronological order, and using the double-entry method of bookkeeping.




Full Definition of Journal


A journal is used to enter business transactions into an accounting system. Traditionally, a typical journal entry includes the date of the transaction, the name(s) of the account(s) affected, the amounts to be debited and credited, and the reason for the transaction. In a very small company, a single journal, called the general journal, may be sufficient; but most accounting systems will have at least a cash journal and probably a sales journal as well. After transactions are entered in a journal, they are then posted to the general ledger and eventually summarized in financial statements. Although modern electronic systems have made the traditional paper journal mostly obsolete, the basics of bookkeeping and accounting as reflected in journal entries remains intact.


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https://payrollheaven.com/define/journal/
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Journal. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
April 23, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/journal/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Journal. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/journal/ (accessed: April 23, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Journal. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved April 23, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/journal/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Journal are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 21st November, 2021 | 0 Views.