Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Activity-Based Costing • P&L • Foreign Currency

Journal Entry

Term from Accounting industry explained for recruiters

A Journal Entry is a basic record-keeping tool in accounting that shows money moving in and out of a business. Think of it like a detailed diary entry for financial transactions. When accountants talk about making journal entries, they're referring to recording business transactions in a systematic way that shows where money came from and where it went. This is typically the first step in the accounting process, before transactions get summarized in other financial reports. You might also hear this called "booking entries" or "accounting entries." It's a fundamental skill that every accountant needs to understand and use daily.

Examples in Resumes

Created and reviewed Journal Entry|Journal Entries for transactions up to $1M

Managed month-end Journal Entry process for a Fortune 500 company

Developed automated Journal Entry templates to improve efficiency

Prepared recurring Journal Entries and reconciliations for multiple departments

Typical job title: "Accountants"

Also try searching for:

Staff Accountant Accounting Clerk Bookkeeper Financial Accountant General Ledger Accountant Senior Accountant Accounting Specialist

Where to Find Accountants

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle complex journal entries during a company acquisition?

Expected Answer: Should explain the process of recording large-scale transactions, involving multiple accounts, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Should mention review procedures and documentation requirements.

Q: How do you ensure accuracy in journal entries when dealing with international transactions?

Expected Answer: Should discuss currency conversion, timing of entries, understanding of international accounting standards, and internal control procedures.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What is your process for reviewing journal entries?

Expected Answer: Should explain checking for proper documentation, account balance accuracy, and appropriate approvals. Should mention reconciliation processes and common error checks.

Q: How do you handle recurring journal entries?

Expected Answer: Should discuss setting up templates, automation possibilities, review procedures, and timing of recurring entries throughout the accounting period.