Which term refers to the basic accounting record where transactions are first entered?

• A. General journal
• B. Journal
• C. Accrual basis
• D. Cash basis

Answer: (B)

In double-entry accounting, every transaction is captured first in a journal—the book of original entry—where you record the date, the accounts affected, the amounts debited and credited, and a brief description. This is the initial recording place before the entries are posted to the general ledger, providing a chronological trail of all activities. The term described here is the journal itself; a general journal is simply a common type of journal used for entries that don’t fit into a specialized journal. The other options, accrual basis and cash basis, refer to when revenue and expenses are recognized, not where transactions are first recorded.