Using journals

A journal is a standard accountancy term for a record that is used to transfer money from one nominal code (account) to another, perhaps because a transaction has been incorrectly coded.

With journals, debiting is money being added to a nominal and crediting is money being removed from a nominal.



We strongly recommend that you consult your accountant before creating any journals.

You can use journals for the following purposes:

  • VAT adjustments - changes the VAT liability on a VAT return.

  • Opening balances - records opening balances for existing businesses.

  • Wages - records salary and tax information instead of using one of our payroll apps.

  • Year End - a journal is automatically created to moves all the money from your profit and loss nominal codes to a retained profits nominal code.

  • Assets and depreciation - manages the value of assets and depreciate them regularly.

  • Prepayments and accruals - used to spread the annual cost or income across several accounting periods (such as an annual insurance or subscription).