Mastering Ledger Entries: 30 Real-Life Accounting Problems and Solutions [With PDF]

Understanding ledger entries is crucial for mastering accounting principles. Whether you’re an accounting student, a beginner, or a professional looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will help you navigate real-world accounting problems.

In this post, we’ve compiled 30 accounting transactions, from simple to complex scenarios, all broken down into detailed ledger entries with explanations.

What is a Ledger in Accounting?

A ledger is a record where transactions are organized based on accounts, such as assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity.

Every entry impacts at least two accounts—one being debited and the other credited, ensuring that your books always balance.

Why Are Ledger Entries Important?

Ledger entries help accountants keep track of a business’s financial activities. Without accurate ledger entries, financial statements like the balance sheet and income statement will not be correct, leading to poor decision-making.

Overview of Problems and Solutions:

In this post, we’ve included 30 problems covering common accounting transactions. You’ll find practical examples such as cash purchases, services rendered on credit, and loan payments—all meticulously laid out in the general ledger format.

Topics Covered:

  1. Simple Cash Transactions
    Understand how to record basic cash inflows and outflows in the cash ledger.
  2. Accounts Receivable Entries
    Learn how to manage receivables for services provided on credit and payments received.
  3. Equipment and Supplies Purchases
    Gain insight into properly recording asset purchases, both in cash and on credit.
  4. Service Revenue and Expenses
    Balance service revenues with various expense types, including rent, utilities, and salaries.
  5. Loans and Interest
    Learn how to record borrowing, loan repayments, and the associated interest expenses.

Ledger Format Breakdown:

Each problem includes its respective debit and credit entries with a clear breakdown of the transaction.

The ledger format used in these examples helps you visualize how each transaction affects different accounts, ensuring that your debits and credits always align.

Benefits of This Guide:

  • Practical Learning: Solve real-world transactions with explanations to solidify your understanding.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: From simple cash transactions to complex loan entries, this guide covers a wide range of scenarios.
  • Easy-to-Follow Format: The use of clear ledger formats for each transaction ensures you can follow along step by step.

List of 30 Transactions

Here’s a list of transactions from simple to more complex. These will be used to create ledger entries, with each transaction representing a business event.

  1. January 1 – Owner invested $10,000 in cash to start the business.
  2. January 2 – Purchased office supplies for $500 in cash.
  3. January 4 – Purchased equipment for $2,000 on credit.
  4. January 5 – Paid $1,200 rent for January in cash.
  5. January 7 – Provided services to a client for $3,000, and the client paid in cash.
  6. January 8 – Provided services to a client for $1,500 on credit.
  7. January 9 – Paid $2,000 to a supplier for equipment purchased on January 4.
  8. January 10 – Received $1,500 from a client for services provided on January 8.
  9. January 11 – Purchased inventory worth $3,000 on credit.
  10. January 12 – Sold inventory worth $1,500 for $2,500 on credit.
  11. January 13 – Paid $700 for utilities.
  12. January 14 – Purchased furniture for $1,500 in cash.
  13. January 15 – Borrowed $5,000 from a bank.
  14. January 16 – Paid $500 wages to employees.
  15. January 17 – Received $2,500 for inventory sold on January 12.
  16. January 18 – Paid $2,000 to the supplier for inventory purchased on January 11.
  17. January 19 – Owner withdrew $1,000 in cash for personal use.
  18. January 20 – Paid $600 for advertising.
  19. January 21 – Purchased office supplies for $300 on credit.
  20. January 22 – Sold inventory worth $2,000 for $3,500 on credit.
  21. January 23 – Received $3,500 from a customer for inventory sold on January 22.
  22. January 24 – Paid $300 for the office supplies purchased on January 21.
  23. January 25 – Paid $800 for transportation expenses.
  24. January 26 – Issued a refund to a customer for returned goods worth $500 (sold on January 22).
  25. January 27 – Purchased new equipment for $4,500 in cash.
  26. January 28 – Received $500 from the customer for goods returned on January 26.
  27. January 29 – Paid $400 interest on the loan borrowed from the bank on January 15.
  28. January 30 – Paid $1,000 wages to employees.
  29. January 31 – Owner contributed additional $3,000 to the business.
  30. January 31 – Paid $2,000 for January’s final electricity bill.

Solutions:

Now we will provide the ledger entries for each of the transactions listed, one by one.

1. January 1 – Owner Invested $10,000 in Cash

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 1Capital (Owner’s Investment)$10,000$10,000

Capital Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 1Cash (Owner’s Investment)$10,000$10,000

Explanation:
The owner’s investment increases the capital and cash balance, so we debit cash and credit capital.

2. January 2 – Purchased Office Supplies for $500 in Cash

Ledger Entries:

Office Supplies Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 2Cash (Purchased Supplies)$500$500

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 2Office Supplies (Purchased)$500$9,500

Explanation:
Office supplies increase as they are purchased, so we debit office supplies. Cash is decreased, so we credit the cash account.

3. January 4 – Purchased Equipment for $2,000 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Equipment Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 4Accounts Payable (Purchased Equipment)$2,000$2,000

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 4Equipment (Purchased)$2,000$2,000

Explanation:
The equipment account is debited because the business acquires an asset. Accounts payable is credited because the equipment is purchased on credit.

4. January 5 – Paid $1,200 Rent for January in Cash

Ledger Entries:

Rent Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 5Cash (Rent Payment)$1,200$1,200

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 5Rent Expense (Paid Rent)$1,200$8,300

Explanation:
The rent expense is recorded as a debit, and cash is credited to reduce the business’s cash balance.

5. January 7 – Provided Services to a Client for $3,000, Paid in Cash

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 7Service Revenue (Provided Services)$3,000$11,300

Service Revenue Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 7Cash (Received Payment)$3,000$3,000

Explanation:
The business receives cash, so cash is debited. Service revenue is credited as the business earns income from providing services.

6. January 8 – Provided Services to a Client for $1,500 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 8Service Revenue (Provided Services)$1,500$1,500

Service Revenue Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 8Accounts Receivable (Credit Sales)$1,500$4,500

Explanation:
Since the services are provided on credit, the accounts receivable account is debited, and service revenue is credited.

7. January 9 – Paid $2,000 to a Supplier for Equipment Purchased on January 4

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 9Cash (Payment for Equipment)$2,000$0

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 9Accounts Payable (Payment)$2,000$9,300

Explanation:
The accounts payable balance is settled by debiting it and reducing the cash account by crediting cash.

8. January 10 – Received $1,500 from a Client for Services Provided on January 8

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 10Accounts Receivable (Collected)$1,500$10,800

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 10Cash (Received Payment)$1,500$0

Explanation:
The cash account is debited as the business receives the payment, while accounts receivable is credited to reflect the collection of outstanding amounts.

9. January 11 – Purchased Inventory Worth $3,000 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Inventory Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 11Accounts Payable (Purchased Inventory)$3,000$3,000

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 11Inventory (Purchased)$3,000$3,000

Explanation:
Inventory is debited to record the purchase of stock, and accounts payable is credited as it is purchased on credit.

10. January 12 – Sold Inventory Worth $1,500 for $2,500 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 12Sales Revenue (Credit Sale)$2,500$2,500

Sales Revenue Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 12Accounts Receivable (Sales Revenue)$2,500$7,000

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 12Inventory (Cost of Goods Sold)$1,500$1,500

Inventory Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 12Cost of Goods Sold (Sold Inventory)$1,500$1,500

Explanation:
Sales revenue is recorded at $2,500 by debiting accounts receivable, as it is on credit. The inventory sold has a cost of $1,500, recorded in the COGS and inventory accounts.

11. January 13 – Paid $700 for Utilities

Ledger Entries:

Utilities Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 13Cash (Paid Utilities)$700$700

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 13Utilities Expense (Paid)$700$10,100

Explanation:
The business pays for utilities, which decreases cash and increases the utilities expense.

12. January 14 – Purchased Furniture for $1,500 in Cash

Ledger Entries:

Furniture Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 14Cash (Purchased Furniture)$1,500$1,500

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 14Furniture (Purchased)$1,500$8,600

Explanation:
The furniture account is debited because it increases the asset base, and the cash account is credited to reflect the cash outflow.

13. January 15 – Borrowed $5,000 from the Bank

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 15Bank Loan (Borrowed)$5,000$13,600

Bank Loan Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 15Cash (Loan Received)$5,000$5,000

Explanation:
The business receives cash from the loan, so the cash account is debited, and the bank loan liability account is credited.

14. January 16 – Paid $500 Wages to Employees

Ledger Entries:

Wages Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 16Cash (Wages Paid)$500$500

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 16Wages Expense (Paid)$500$13,100

Explanation:
Wages expense is debited to reflect the cost of labor, and the cash account is credited as the payment is made in cash.

15. January 17 – Received $2,500 for Inventory Sold on January 12

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 17Accounts Receivable (Received)$2,500$15,600

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 17Cash (Received Payment)$2,500$0

Explanation:
The cash account is debited as payment is received for the credit sale made earlier, and accounts receivable is credited to clear the outstanding balance.

16. January 18 – Paid $2,000 to the Supplier for Inventory Purchased on January 11

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 18Cash (Payment for Inventory)$2,000$1,000

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 18Accounts Payable (Paid)$2,000$13,600

Explanation:
The payment reduces the accounts payable balance, so accounts payable is debited, and cash is credited for the outflow.

17. January 19 – Owner Withdrew $1,000 in Cash for Personal Use

Ledger Entries:

Drawings Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 19Cash (Owner’s Withdrawal)$1,000$1,000

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 19Drawings (Owner’s Withdrawal)$1,000$12,600

Explanation:
The owner’s withdrawal decreases both cash and capital, so the cash account is credited, and the drawings account is debited.

18. January 20 – Paid $600 for Advertising

Ledger Entries:

Advertising Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 20Cash (Paid Advertising)$600$600

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 20Advertising Expense (Paid)$600$12,000

Explanation:
Advertising expense is debited to reflect the cost incurred, and cash is credited to show the outflow.

19. January 21 – Purchased Office Supplies for $300 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Office Supplies Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 21Accounts Payable (Purchased)$300$800

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 21Office Supplies (Purchased on Credit)$300$1,300

Explanation:
Office supplies are purchased on credit, so the supplies account is debited, and accounts payable is credited for the outstanding balance.

20. January 22 – Sold Inventory Worth $2,000 for $3,500 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 22Sales Revenue (Credit Sale)$3,500$3,500

Sales Revenue Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 22Accounts Receivable (Credit Sale)$3,500$10,500

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 22Inventory (Sold Inventory)$2,000$3,500

Inventory Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 22Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)$2,000$2,000

Explanation:
The sale increases accounts receivable (as it’s a credit sale), while sales revenue is credited. Additionally, the cost of goods sold (COGS) is recorded, and inventory is reduced.

21. January 23 – Received $3,500 from a Customer for Inventory Sold on January 22

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 23Accounts Receivable (Payment Received)$3,500$15,500

Accounts Receivable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 23Cash (Received)$3,500$0

Explanation:
The customer pays the outstanding amount, so cash is debited, and accounts receivable is credited to clear the balance.

22. January 24 – Paid $300 for Office Supplies Purchased on January 21

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 24Cash (Paid for Supplies)$300$1,000

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 24Accounts Payable (Payment for Supplies)$300$15,200

Explanation:
Payment for office supplies reduces both accounts payable and cash.

23. January 25 – Paid $200 for Office Cleaning

Ledger Entries:

Office Cleaning Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 25Cash (Office Cleaning)$200$200

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 25Office Cleaning Expense$200$15,000

Explanation:
The office cleaning expense account is debited for the cost of cleaning, while cash is credited to reflect the cash outflow.

24. January 26 – Paid $1,000 Interest on Bank Loan

Ledger Entries:

Interest Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 26Cash (Interest Paid)$1,000$1,000

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 26Interest Expense$1,000$14,000

Explanation:
Interest expense is debited because it reflects the cost incurred on the loan, and the cash account is credited for the amount paid.

25. January 27 – Received $4,500 from Customer for Services Rendered

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 27Service Revenue (Rendered)$4,500$18,500

Service Revenue Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 27Cash (Received for Services)$4,500$4,500

Explanation:
Cash is debited as the company receives money from providing services, and service revenue is credited to show the income earned.

26. January 28 – Paid $250 for Repairs and Maintenance

Ledger Entries:

Repairs and Maintenance Expense Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 28Cash (Repairs Paid)$250$250

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 28Repairs and Maintenance$250$18,250

Explanation:
The repairs and maintenance expense is debited to reflect the cost incurred for repair work, and cash is credited as it reduces the available cash.

27. January 29 – Purchased Office Equipment for $2,500 on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Office Equipment Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 29Accounts Payable (Purchased on Credit)$2,500$2,500

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 29Office Equipment (Purchased on Credit)$2,500$2,500

Explanation:
Office equipment is debited to reflect the addition of assets, while accounts payable is credited to record the liability for the unpaid amount.

28. January 30 – Paid $2,500 for Office Equipment Purchased on Credit

Ledger Entries:

Accounts Payable Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 30Cash (Paid for Equipment)$2,500$0

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 30Accounts Payable (Paid)$2,500$15,750

Explanation:
The accounts payable is debited to reduce the outstanding liability, and cash is credited for the amount paid.

29. January 31 – Owner Contributed $5,000 Cash to the Business

Ledger Entries:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 31Capital (Owner Contribution)$5,000$20,750

Capital Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 31Cash (Owner Contribution)$5,000$5,000

Explanation:
The owner’s contribution increases both cash and capital, so the cash account is debited, and the capital account is credited.

30. January 31 – Paid $1,000 for Rent for the Next Month

Ledger Entries:

Prepaid Rent Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 31Cash (Paid Rent)$1,000$1,000

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 31Prepaid Rent (Paid)$1,000$19,750

Explanation:
Since the rent payment is for the next month, it is recorded as a prepaid expense, debiting the prepaid rent account and crediting cash for the outflow.

Final ledger Entries

Here’s the final ledger format that incorporates all 30 transactions, broken down by account. The format shows all debits, credits, and balances for each account involved. Let’s start with the main accounts used in the 30 transactions:

Cash Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 1Owner’s Equity (Initial Capital)$10,000$10,000
Jan 2Accounts Receivable (Services Rendered)$5,000$15,000
Jan 3Equipment (Purchased)$2,000$13,000
Jan 4Utilities Expense (Paid)$500$12,500
Jan 5Supplies (Purchased)$300$12,200
Jan 6Rent Expense (Paid)$1,000$11,200
Jan 7Accounts Receivable (Collected)$3,000$14,200
Jan 8Service Revenue (Rendered)$2,500$16,700
Jan 9Salaries Expense (Paid)$2,000$14,700
Jan 10Utilities Expense (Paid)$500$14,200
Jan 11Supplies (Purchased)$300$13,900
Jan 12Accounts Payable (Paid)$1,500$12,400
Jan 13Miscellaneous Revenue (Received)$1,000$13,400
Jan 14Supplies Expense (Paid)$200$13,200
Jan 15Office Rent (Paid)$1,000$12,200
Jan 16Owner Withdrawal (Paid)$500$11,700
Jan 17Sales Revenue (Received)$3,000$14,700
Jan 18Equipment (Purchased on Credit)$1,500$13,200
Jan 19Salaries Expense (Paid)$2,500$10,700
Jan 20Bank Loan (Received)$10,000$20,700
Jan 21Loan Payment (Paid)$5,000$15,700
Jan 22Insurance Expense (Paid)$500$15,200
Jan 23Accounts Receivable (Collected)$1,100$16,300
Jan 24Accounts Payable (Paid for Supplies)$300$16,000
Jan 25Office Cleaning Expense (Paid)$200$15,800
Jan 26Interest Expense (Paid)$1,000$14,800
Jan 27Service Revenue (Received)$4,500$19,300
Jan 28Repairs and Maintenance Expense (Paid)$250$19,050
Jan 29Office Equipment (Purchased on Credit)
Jan 30Accounts Payable (Paid for Equipment)

Accounts Receivable

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 2Service Revenue$5,000$5,000
Jan 7Cash (Collected)$3,000$2,000
Jan 23Cash (Collected)$1,100$900

Equipment Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 3Cash (Equipment Purchase)$2,000$2,000
Jan 18Accounts Payable (Purchased on Credit)$1,500$3,500

Supplies Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 5Cash (Supplies Purchase)$300$300
Jan 11Cash (Additional Purchase)$300$600

Accounts Payable

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 12Cash (Paid)$1,500$1,500
Jan 18Equipment Purchase (Credit)$1,500$3,000
Jan 24Cash (Supplies Paid)$300$2,700

Service Revenue

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 2Accounts Receivable (Services Rendered)$5,000$5,000
Jan 8Cash (Received)$2,500$7,500
Jan 17Cash (Sales Revenue)$3,000$10,500
Jan 27Cash (Service Revenue)$4,500$15,000

Inventory Account

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 1Beginning Inventory$3,000$3,000
Jan 10Purchases$1,500$4,500
Jan 28Ending Inventory$2,000$2,500

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 28Cost of Goods Sold (from Inventory)$2,000$2,000

Rent Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 6Cash (Rent Paid)$1,000$1,000
Jan 15Cash (Office Rent)$1,000$2,000

Utilities Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 4Cash (Paid)$500$500
Jan 10Cash (Paid)$500$1,000

Salaries Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 9Cash (Paid)$2,000$2,000
Jan 19Cash (Paid)$2,500$4,500

Owner’s Equity

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 1Cash (Initial Capital)$10,000$10,000

Office Cleaning Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 25Cash (Cleaning Service Paid)$200$200

Miscellaneous Revenue

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 13Cash (Received)$1,000$1,000

Owner’s Withdrawal (Drawings)

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 16Cash (Owner Withdrawal)$500$500

Bank Loan

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 20Cash (Received)$10,000$10,000
Jan 21Cash (Loan Payment)$5,000$5,000

Insurance Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 22Cash (Paid)$500$500

Interest Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 26Cash (Paid)$1,000$1,000

Repairs and Maintenance Expense

DateParticularsDebitCreditBalance
Jan 28Cash (Paid)$250$250

Conclusion:

By going through these 30 accounting problems and their solutions, you’ll gain a strong understanding of how to accurately manage and record general ledger entries.

Bookmark this post as a reference whenever you need guidance on ledger transactions. Explore more practical examples and resources on our Accounting Challenges page. Happy learning!

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