Journal Proper

In an accounting system, a journal proper is a book of initial submission in which all types of miscellaneous credit facilities are entered that do not fit into any other books. This is why it’s referred to as a “miscellaneous journal.”

The following transactions are recorded using the journal proper: 

• Opening entries
• Closing entries
• Transfer entries
• Adjustment entries
• Rectification entries
• Entries for which there is no special journal
• Entries for rare transactions

Opening Entries

When a businessperson wishes to start a new year’s bookkeeping, he or she must first journalize the different assets and debts before creating new accounts in the ledger. The journal entries that have been passed are referred to as “opening entries.”

Closing Entries

When the books are reconciled at the end of an accounting period in order to prepare printed final accounts, the balances of all revenue and expense accounts must be transferred to the trading accounts. Closing the books, and the entries passed at that time, is the act of transferring balances to the trade and profit and loss account at the end of the year.

Transfer Entries

It is important to pass transfer entry when accounts are transferred from one account to another for a combination of related things. For example, to calculate net capital, Rs500 is transferred from the draws account to the capital account.

Adjusting Entries

Adjustments are changes to the accounts at the end of an accounting period. If there is an occurrence that affects the associated time of accounts but is not recorded in the books, it should be recorded before the final accounts are prepared. This is accomplished by altering entries in the diary itself. For example, at the end of the year, it is discovered that Rs50 in rent is owed. There is no trace of it in the books. This will be taken into consideration by altering the entry.

Rectification Entries

When an error in the book is discovered, it is corrected by making a statement in the journal itself, which is known as a rectification entry.

Entries for Which no Special Journals Exist

When a trader is unable to record entries in the above-mentioned sub-journals, the entries are recorded in the main journal. The following are some of the most common transactions that cannot be recorded in any of the original entry books:

• Goods are distributed as a free sample.
• As a kind of charity, things are distributed.
• Fire has obliterated the goods.
• Employees have stolen goods.
• Changing one asset for another, and so on.

Rare Transaction Entries

In a business, it is possible that transactions will be rare at times. For such unusual transactions, the journal is employed.

Journal Proper Book Record

A journal proper is a book of original entries in which only entries that cannot be published in a special journal are entered. A General Journal is another name for it.

Other Miscellaneous Entries

There are other entries that can be written in a journal aside from the ones listed above. They are as follows:

• The discount was granted and accepted.
• Other than goods, purchase or sale of objects on the credit
• Accidental consequences, such as fire losses
• Transactions involving consignment and joint ventures
• Bills of exchange endorsement and dishonour
• A transaction involving items that were given away as samples.
• Assets that are no longer needed are sold.

Conclusion

A journal proper or General Journal is just a simple book that keeps track of commercial transactions in chronological order. In today’s accounting systems, the use of this book is severely limited. Only those transactions are entered in this book that cannot be conveniently documented in any of the other books of original entry, i.e., subsidiary books, or that are not sufficiently numerous to justify the creation of a dedicated book for them.