Accounting Basics

Common Entries Library: Establishment, sales, purchase, and expense entries

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Common Journal Entries Library: Establishment, Sales, Purchases, and Expenses

In your daily accounting work, you face dozens of recurring transactions. Speed and accuracy depend on your readiness to handle these transactions. In this article, we provide a Common Journal Entries Library: a ready-made reference including establishment entries, asset purchases, inventory, sales, expenses, and collections. Bookmark this page to use it as a standard guide during recording.

Illustrative design of a journal entry book with icons representing various financial transactions.
What will you find in this library?
  • Establishment Entries: Starting capital in cash, bank, or assets.
  • Purchase Entries: Buying assets, inventory (cash/credit), and returns.
  • Sales Entries: Cash and credit sales, and customer returns.
  • Expense Entries: Salaries, rent, utilities, and bank fees.
  • Settlement & Collection: Paying suppliers and collecting from customers.
  • Visual Model (SVG) summarizing the logic of entry directions.
Pro Tip: Before using these templates, make sure you understand the Fundamentals of Preparing a Journal Entry to avoid common directing errors.

1) Establishment & Capital Entries

These entries are recorded at the start of the project or when increasing capital.

Case A: Starting capital in cash

Dr. Cash/Bank 100,000
Cr. Capital 100,000
Establishing company capital via bank deposit.

Case B: Capital as a mix of Assets

Dr. Cash 20,000
Dr. Equipment 50,000
Dr. Furniture 30,000
Cr. Capital 100,000
Providing capital in the form of cash and fixed assets.

2) Purchase & Asset Entries

These cover buying fixed assets (for use) or inventory (for resale).

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Case A: Buying Fixed Assets for Cash

Dr. Fixed Assets (Cars/Computers) 5,000
Cr. Cash/Bank 5,000
Buying assets for administrative use.

Case B: Buying Inventory on Credit (Periodic System)

Dr. Purchases (Inventory) 8,000
Cr. Suppliers (Accounts Payable) 8,000
Credit purchase of stock from Supplier X.

3) Sales & Revenue Entries

Recording the company’s core activity proceeds.

Case A: Credit Sales to Customers

Dr. Customers (Accounts Receivable) 12,000
Cr. Sales Revenue 12,000
Providing service or goods on credit to Customer Y.

Case B: Customer Returns (Sales Returns)

Dr. Sales Returns 500
Cr. Customers (Accounts Receivable) 500
Reducing customer debt due to returned faulty goods.

4) Expenses & Payment Entries

Regular payments to keep the business running.

Case A: Paying Salaries or Rent

Dr. Salaries Expense 4,000
Dr. Rent Expense 2,000
Cr. Cash/Bank 6,000
Payment of monthly operating expenses.

5) Collection & Settlement Entries

Clearing balances between the company and external parties.

Case A: Collecting from a Customer

Dr. Bank/Cash 3,000
Cr. Customers (Accounts Receivable) 3,000
Receiving a payment from Customer Y for a previous invoice.

Case B: Paying a Supplier

Dr. Suppliers (Accounts Payable) 4,500
Cr. Bank/Cash 4,500
Settling a previous debt to Supplier X.

6) Logic Flow: Entry Direction (SVG)

Accounting Entry Direction Logic Naturally DEBIT Increases on (Dr.) Side Assets • Expenses Take / Own / Spend Naturally CREDIT Increases on (Cr.) Side Liabilities • Revenue • Equity Give / Owe / Earn
Mastering the “Nature of Accounts” is the key to recording any entry in this library correctly.

7) Professional Summary

Consistency is the goal: Using standard templates for recurring transactions reduces errors and makes the audit process much smoother. Always ensure that every entry is supported by a physical or digital document (Invoice, Receipt, Contract).

To complete your journey in the accounting cycle, see: Difference between Real and Nominal Accounts.

© Digital Salla Articles — General educational reference. For professional application, consult a certified public accountant.