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  • 02 Jul 2013

The Complete Guide to Accounts Payable Journal Entries

Businesses get insights about the financials in the business from a general ledger. 

Several accounting activities are reflected in the general ledger book. 

If businesses want to ensure that they have a proper cash flow and avoid any larger debt that depletes the money of the organization then a proper account payable is important. 

Accounts payable is the money that the company owes to the creditors. 

The journal entries account payable records of all the transactions done for accounts payable. Every journal entry made for the credit must have a corresponding debit entry. The journal entries of accounts payable show the current liability of the person.

How accounts payable entries are done?

The accounts payable general entries are done with a standard set of procedures. 

You need to make these entries in the proper sections to ensure that you get accurate financial records. 

It is important that you consider some important aspects while making journal entries accounts payable.

Here are a few important aspects that you need to consider:

  • Open a proper account for the acquisitions of inventories and items.
  • The inventories that cannot be sent back to customers or damaged ones.
  • When any acquisition of the asset is done, the journal entry is made in the proper place.
  • Entry is made whenever the charges are made.
  • Whenever payment to the creditor or accounts payable is done entry is made.

What are the stages followed in the accounts payable process?

Generally few stages are followed in the accounts payable process which is listed below:

  • Get the related bill or purchase invoice.
  • Assign the bill to process it internally.
  • Review all the details of the bills properly.
  • Ensure that all the updates are done to the financial records.
  • Making the related bill payments.

What are typical journal entries of accounts payable?

The Accounts Payable journal entries are based on some of the scenarios only.

Some important scenarios where the journal entries and accounts payable are done are:

1. Purchase of inventory

Here the purchase of the merchandise inventory is done and liability of the periodic inventory system is done.

2. Unwanted or damaged inventory

When any unwanted or damaged inventory is returned back to the supplier, the corresponding journal entry is made.

3. Purchasing assets

Whenever suitable assets are purchased, the Accounts Payable liability entries for buying assets have to be done.

4. Expenses on services purchased

Whenever any services are purchased which can be considered as a future liability, then accounts payable entries are done.

5. Payments made to payables

Whenever payments are made to any payables or creditors, a corresponding journal entry must be made.

Bringing accuracy in the journal entries accounts payable is one of the key factors to bring efficiency in accounts payable. Proper control of the accounts payable can help achieve better control over the financials of any business.

Final Thoughts

If you find it difficult to bring the desired accuracy in the accounts payable then you can outsource it to an expert agency. 

Accounts Junction is a better option for outsourcing the accounts payable process. 

They have experts to handle the accounts payable entries accurately. 

They use relevant accounting software to make journal entries of accounts payable with better accuracy. 

Accounts Junction is a popular accounting service-providing agency around the world.

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