What is an accounting general ledger?

What is the General Ledger in accounting?

As the name mentions this is a 'general' ledger. A ledger is basically two columns of transactions that is listed down the page. This is occasionally referred to as a T account - where the T represents the layout of the columns those on the left hand side and those on the right hand side.

The use of a ledger is simply mechanism to determine whether the entries on the left hand of the T balance those on the right hand side of the T. Beginners should note and remember religiously that the left hand side refers to Debits (Dr) and the right hand side refers to Credits (Cr).