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What Is The Rule Of Journal Entry With Example?

What Is The Rule Of Journal Entry With Example

The rules of debit and credit are fundamental principles in accounting that govern how transactions are recorded. These rules ensure that accounting entries maintain the fundamental accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) and adhere to the principles of double-entry bookkeeping.

The rules are as follows…

1. The Accounting Equation – Every transaction affects at least two accounts and must maintain the balance of the accounting equation.

2. Debit (Dr.) and Credit (Cr.) – For each transaction, there must be at least one debit entry and one credit entry. The total debits must equal the total credits.

3. Debit and Credit Accounts – Different types of accounts are affected by debits and credits in specific ways…

  • Assets – Increase with debits, decrease with credits.
  • Liabilities – Increase with credits, decrease with debits.
  • Equity – Increases with credits (revenues, contributions, owner’s equity), and decreases with debits (expenses, distributions, withdrawals).
  • Revenue – Increase with credits, decrease with debits.
  • Expense – Increase with debits, decrease with credits.

Here’s an example of a journal entry with explanations…

Transaction – The company sells merchandise for cash.

Analysis – This transaction involves two accounts, Cash (an asset account) and Sales Revenue (a revenue account).

1. Cash Account
– Since cash is received, it increases, following the rule that assets increase with debits.
– Therefore, we debit the Cash account.

2. Sales Revenue Account
– Since sales revenue is earned, it increases, following the rule that revenues increase with credits.
– Therefore, we credit the Sales Revenue account.

Journal Entry
– Debit (Dr.) Cash account for the amount received.
– Credit (Cr.) Sales Revenue accounts for the amount earned.

Example
– Debit Cash account for $1,000 (reflecting the cash received from the sale).
– Credit Sales Revenue accounts for $1,000 (reflecting the revenue earned from the sale).

This journal entry ensures that the accounting equation remains balanced…
– Assets (Cash) increase by $1,000 (debit).
– Equity (Sales Revenue) increases by $1,000 (credit).

This transaction is recorded in the general ledger using these journal entries, providing an accurate record of the company’s financial activities.