#general-ledger
Learn how to organize and maintain your general ledger for accurate financial records
How tribal casinos account for win, drop, and hold under NIGC Minimum Internal Control Standards — covering Class II and Class III chart-of-accounts design, cage and vault key control, Title 31 Form 8362 CTR filing, IGRA per-capita withholding under IRC Section 3402(r), and the annual Agreed-Upon Procedures engagement that ties surveillance to the ledger.
Independent auto repair shops earn from labor, parts, sublet work, and environmental fees — each with different margins and bookkeeping rules. This guide builds a chart of accounts that separates flat-rate labor from clock hours, applies a tiered parts markup matrix targeting 55–58% gross profit, tracks comeback expense and warranty receivables aging, codes sublet work cleanly, and records EPA hazmat and shop supply fees as their own revenue and cost lines.
A suspense account is a temporary ledger account that holds an unidentified transaction or an unexplained trial-balance difference so the month-end close can finish on time. This guide covers when to use one, how to record and clear the entries, and how it differs from a clearing account.
A bloated chart of accounts with 200 entries hides profit instead of revealing it. Most small businesses need 30 to 60 accounts, numbered in family blocks with gaps, with COGS separated from operating expenses and departments tracked as dimensions rather than duplicated accounts.
A practical guide to designing a chart of accounts that produces useful financial statements — how to number accounts in increments of 10, when to use sub-accounts versus dimensions for locations and departments, and the year-end cleanup ritual that prevents bloat.
A plain-English breakdown of what a general ledger is, how double-entry bookkeeping keeps it balanced, and how to set up and maintain GL records—including common mistakes, a step-by-step setup guide, and software options for small business owners.
Learn what a chart of accounts is, how to set one up with proper numbering and categories, and best practices for organizing your business finances. Includes examples for assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses, plus common mistakes to avoid.
Learn what a trial balance is, how to prepare one step by step, the three types (unadjusted, adjusted, and post-closing), common errors and how to fix them, and why it matters for accurate financial reporting.
