Bookkeeping journal entries are the individual records used to track a business’s financial activities. They include all transactions—such as sales, purchases, payroll, and related expenses—and provide an authoritative summary of a company’s financial activity over time. This data is stored in a company’s general ledger. Each journal entry consists of a date and description of the transaction, along with the amount involved and where the money came from or went to. As part of the bookkeeping process, journal entries are categorized to make it easy for businesses to interpret their finances and understand how each decision affects the bottom line. By making sure that journal entries are accurate and up-to-date, businesses can ensure their books are in order and ready for financial reports or tax filings.