---
title: "Make a Journal Entry – General Journals"
slug: "make-a-journal-entry-general-journals"
updated: 2023-12-20T16:25:44Z
published: 2023-12-20T16:25:44Z
canonical: "www.procaresupport.com/make-a-journal-entry-general-journals"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.procaresupport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Make a Journal Entry – General Journals

A journal entry is made to record transactions that are not otherwise being recorded in another module. This might include things like: bank fees, donations & grants, credit cards, fund transfers, depreciation, petty cash and miscellaneous corrections.

## Getting There

Click the *General Journal* icon on the toolbar. It doesn’t

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Expense+%26+Ledger/Make+a+Journal+Entry+%E2%80%93+General+Journals+1203_1.png)

## Making Journal Entries

1. At the *General Journal* screen:
  1. Select a journal name from the drop down list (upper right) like “Donations & Grants”. A list of any previous entries made in this journal will be displayed. See: [Naming Journals / Journal Types](/procare-desktop/docs/general-journal-types)
  2. Click *New Entry* (lower left).
2. At the General *Journal Entry* screen:
  1. Choose a *Post Date* (date the entry is recorded).
  2. Enter a *Comment* (optional) to help explain this entry.
  3. Select the *GL Account* numbers affected by this transaction, from your [Chart of Accounts](/procare-desktop/docs/chart-of-accounts), and the *Amount* for each, then tap *Enter* (on your keyboard) and the amount will be automatically placed in the appropriate column as a [Debit or Credit](/procare-desktop/docs/debits-and-credits). See: [Examples](/procare-desktop/docs/make-a-journal-entry-general-journals/#examples)  

**Note 1:** Each journal entry must include at least two lines in order to have a “balanced” entry, for example a donation would affect both your bank account and donation revenue.  

**Note 2:** In some cases the *Amount* should be entered as a negative number, like -25.00. This is appropriate if the item is decreasing, such as when your checking account decreases due to a bank fee.
  4. Click *Post* to record the entry then click *Exit.* The *Debit* and *Credit* columns must be equal.  

**Note:** Questions about account numbers, debits & credits, and proper journal entries should be addressed to an accounting professional. Procare cannot offer accounting advice.

## Journal Entry Examples

### Example 1: Donation

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Expense+%26+Ledger/Make+a+Journal+Entry+%E2%80%93+General+Journals+1203_2.png)

### Example 2: Bank Fees

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Expense+%26+Ledger/Make+a+Journal+Entry+%E2%80%93+General+Journals+1203_3.png)

**Note:** As an alternative, bank fees can be entered on the [Reconcile Bank Accounts](/procare-desktop/docs/bank-statement-reconciliation) screen.

### Example 3: Funds Transfer Between Accounts

![image](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.procaresoftware.com/pdfs/Support+Site+Images/Desktop/Expense+%26+Ledger/Make+a+Journal+Entry+%E2%80%93+General+Journals+1203_4.png)

## Other Journal Entries

- [Journal Entry for a Loan](/procare-desktop/docs/journal-entry-for-a-loan)
- [Journal Entry for Credit Cards](/procare-desktop/docs/credit-cards-journal-entries)