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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes a general ledger?
A
A document used to authorize payments to suppliers.
B
A list of all journal entries made during the accounting period.
C
A record that contains all accounts and their balances used by a company.
D
A summary of cash receipts and cash payments during a period.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a general ledger. A general ledger is a complete record of all financial transactions of a company, organized by accounts. It includes all accounts and their balances, such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the question. Each option describes a different accounting document or record. Compare these descriptions to the definition of a general ledger.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, 'A document used to authorize payments to suppliers' refers to payment authorization, not a general ledger. Similarly, 'A list of all journal entries made during the accounting period' refers to a journal, not a ledger. Lastly, 'A summary of cash receipts and cash payments during a period' describes a cash flow statement, not a general ledger.
Step 4: Identify the correct option. The correct description of a general ledger is 'A record that contains all accounts and their balances used by a company.' This matches the definition of a general ledger.
Step 5: Reinforce understanding by noting that the general ledger serves as the foundation for preparing financial statements, as it provides a comprehensive view of all accounts and their balances.