Book of original entry

A book of original entry (alternatively known as accounting journal; hereinafter, the Journal) is any chronological log of business transactions. The data recorded in the Journals or Journals is further summarized and posted into a general ledger or other book of final entry, from which financial statements are produced.

General journal

Main wikipage: General journal

A general journal is a default Journal that every organization keeps.

Cash book and other journals

In addition to a general journal, organizations may choose to keep one or more of other Journals. Each additional Journal contains detailed records for the types of business transactions pertaining to a specific area such as a cash book, sales journal, purchase journal, payroll journal, etc.