Explanation :
Journal entries are the foundation of all accounting and financial data. This is where it all starts because this is where real world events are recorded into a system. This is the first step in the accounting cycle and takes place each time a financial transaction occurs. The accountant takes the evidence of a transaction and writes a journal entry for it. The entries must have a minimum of two lines according to double entry accounting rules rules. Each column must have the same value after the transaction is recorded in order to keep the books balanced. Here’s what the format looks like.
In a nutshell :
- Journal entries are used to record transactions that have occurred but have not yet been appropriately recorded in accordance with the accrual method of accounting.
- Journal entries are recorded in a company's general ledger at the end of an accounting period to abide by the matching and revenue recognition principles.
- The most common types of Journal entries are accruals, deferrals, and estimates.
- It is used for accrual accounting purposes when one accounting period transitions to the next.
- Companies that use cash accounting do not need to adjust journal entries.