The hardest part about journal entries is remembering two big things
1) debits and credits.
2) the account sequence
1) debits and credits.
I wrote down this and it helps me to figure out the debits and credits.
Assets = Liabilities + Equity + Revenue - Expenses
+ - === ....... - + ......... - + ....... - + ....... + -
You'll notice the +'s and -'s underneath. This is how I remember the sequence.
Debits are on the left and credits are on the right. - means decreases the account, + means increases the account
I memorize one thing: Assets + on left - on right. This means a debit increases assets, a credit decreases assets.
ALMOST Everything on the other side of the = sign is the opposite of that. For example, Debits decrease equity and credits increase equity.
Revenue and expenses increase and decrease equity so the +'s and -'s are opposite of each other. Revenue is just like the rest on that side.
Expenses are opposite (because they decrease equity) Same thing for dividends (they decrease equity)
2) Account sequence Debits first, then credits.
That requires some memorization. For example, how do you write off an account receivable?
Allowance for doubtful accounts DR
Accounts Receivable CR
Since you're writing off the account receivable, you are recognizing it is utterly worthless. So it goes down in value. That requires a credit since A/R is an asset. So the other account must be a debit. This would be the allowance.
There are about 10 or so frequent transactions that show up in CPA tests, so it is not that much to memorize.
Hope this helps!
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