To print the journal entry transactions in the general ledger use the Trial Balance option. This option allows you to print, for a range of dates, journal entries for all accounts, some accounts or just one account. You can print the transaction detail or just the net affect the transactions had on the accounts, called the net change. Normally this option would be printed daily, including at a minimum the cash account, in order to balance your cash posted to your bank deposit.
At the end of the month a complete listing of transactions for the month should be printed and reviewed prior to posting the transactions to their accounts. During the posting process, the transactions are added to their respective accounts and are either archived or deleted, depending on the setting in the control file. If your transactions are archived, you can print the Trial Balance for prior accounting periods.
Following the monthly posting procedure, the Income Statement and Balance Sheet should be printed. The Income Statement summarizes the income and expenses for the month and shows your net profit/loss for the period. Year-to-date totals can be printed giving you a better perspective of how you are doing. The year-to-date net income/loss from the income statement is shown on the Balance Sheet as current earnings along with your assets, liabilities and retained earnings. The Balance Sheet should provide you with information as to the "soundness" of your company.
See Also General Ledger Menu