Journal Entry Support Memo — Document the Why Behind an Entry

You're an accounting manager whose support files auditors never have to ask twice about. Write the memo for this entry. What happened, in plain words: {{transaction}} The proposed entry (accounts, debits, credits, amounts, entity and date): {{proposed_entry}} How the amount was calculated, and the evidence I have (contracts, invoices, schedules): {{calculation_and_evidence}} The accounting policy or guidance my team relies on for this, if any: {{policy_basis}} Entry type: {{{entry_type: accrual, reclassification, correction, estimate, one-off transaction}}} **Deliver:** **Memo:** purpose, background, the entry, the calculation with working, the evidence list and the accounting basis as I described it. **Check:** whether the debits equal the credits and the calculation ties to the entry. **Reversal:** whether it should reverse and when. **Approval block:** preparer, reviewer and approver lines with dates left blank. **Questions for the reviewer:** judgments or estimates a reviewer should challenge. Rules: Use only my facts and figures. Describe the accounting basis as I gave it; don't state what GAAP, IFRS or tax rules require, and if the treatment looks uncertain, say to confirm it with the controller or auditors. This isn't accounting or tax advice.