The original method was to itemize all transactions in the ledger, but the present custom is to post the totals only.
23. When a record is transferred from one book of Class (b) to another, or posted to the ledger, the page number of the book to or from which it is transferred or posted is entered in the column known as the folio column. This is done that the transaction may be traced from one book to another. The presence of the page number also serves as a check to show that the item has been posted.
Example—An item is to be posted from page 1 of the sales book to page 10 of the ledger. In the folio column of the ledger will be entered "S 1" indicating that the item will be found on page 1 of the sales book. In the folio column of the sales book will be entered "10" indicating that the item has been posted to page 10 of the ledger.
24. Ledger Index. An index to the ledger is necessary to enable us to find the accounts. In small ledgers the index is placed in the front of the book itself, while for large ledgers a separate index book is used. There is a distinct advantage in this, as the index book can be kept open on the desk while posting is being done, and the names found much quicker than when it is necessary to turn the leaves of the ledger to find the index.
When an account is opened in the ledger, the name should be written in the index, followed by the page number. The names in the index are arranged in alphabetical order, each name being written under the letter of the alphabet corresponding to the first letter in the name. For example:
| A | B | C | |||||
| Adams, J. C. | 11 | Bacon, I. H. | 2 | Crandall, Jas. | 7 | ||
| Andrews, Henry | 14 | Brown, Henry | 9 | Campbell, Don. | 12 | ||
In a large index, one or more pages are used for a letter; while in a small index, several letters may be placed on the same page.
SAMPLE TRANSACTIONS
25. The following sample transactions are carried through the books described in this section, showing the proper entries and postings (see pp. 40-43). The day book has been omitted, as it is practically obsolete, not being used by progressive bookkeepers.
Muskegon, Mich., Nov. 1, 1907.