What Is a Journal Book?

A journal book is used to post all entries in detail to the general ledger, with similar transactions grouped together. A journal book has two components:

• Header: the definition and parameters associated with the journal book

• Detail: the transactions assigned to a journal book

Journal books are used to provide greater detail in the general ledger for the cash and accounts payable accrual accounts. Journal book processing is a requirement in certain countries.

If your company processes by journal book, you must assign all transactions to a journal book number. Auditors can use these journal book numbers to track transactions to their origins. These numbers are also helpful in tracking transactions you have interfaced from non-Lawson applications. For details about defining a journal book, see the Cash Management User Guide.