Your first journal entries
Objective: Record simple two-line journal entries with the right date, accounts, and amounts.
Recommended first: Double-entry bookkeeping
A journal entry is the first place a transaction is recorded. It has a date, the accounts and amounts debited and credited, and a short description. Debits are listed first by convention.
Work from the source document — the receipt, invoice, bill, or bank record that proves the transaction happened. The document's date is usually the entry date.
A complete journal entry answers who, what, when, and how much. The description should let someone understand the entry without opening the document — for example, 'Invoice INV-114, strategy workshop for Client B'. Dates matter: revenue is recorded when the work is done, and the workbench checks that entries fall inside the open period.
In the workbench, search the chart by name or number, enter each amount in only one column, and use 'Check' before posting. Posting is final; corrections use reversing or correcting entries.
Check your work
- Is the date the transaction date?
- Is each line in only the debit or the credit column?
- Does the description reference the source document?
On March 2, a repair shop is paid $240 for a completed repair.
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | $240.00 | |
| Service Revenue | $240.00 |
Common mistakes
✗ Using the payment date when the invoice date applies.
✓ Revenue is recorded when earned — usually the invoice or service date.
Guided practice
Use hints freely here.
Item 1 of 2
Owner invests cash
On Mar 1, 2026, the owner deposits $7,000.00 of personal savings into the Maple Street Tutoring business bank account to start the business.
Independent practice
Try these without hints. Completing the lesson needs at least one independent item solved without revealing the answer.
Item 1 of 6
Invoice a client
On Mar 3, 2026, Harbor Point Consulting completes a strategy workshop and sends invoice #INV-114 for $7,100.00, due in 30 days.
- Date
- Mar 3, 2026
- Terms
- Net 30
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Strategy workshop (completed) | $7,100.00 |
| Total | $7,100.00 |
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Key terms
- Journal entry
- The first record of a transaction, listing debits and credits.
- Source document
- The evidence that a transaction happened.
References and provenance
- OpenStax, Principles of Accounting, Volume 1: Financial Accounting (accessed 2026-10-29)
Original lesson written for Bookkeeping Exercises (AI-assisted drafting). Calculations are verified by the platform's automated accounting tests. Not yet reviewed by a credentialed accountant. Updated 2026-10-29.