What is the term for a form used to record transactions in chronological order?

A journal is a fundamental accounting record where transactions are documented in chronological order as they occur. It serves as the initial point of entry for accounting data, capturing details about each transaction such as the date, accounts affected, amounts, and a brief description. This systematic recording helps ensure that all financial activities are tracked comprehensively and transparently.

While an account refers to a specific record that tracks the changes in a particular asset, liability, equity, revenue, or expense, and a ledger acts as a collection of accounts that summarizes these transactions, neither fulfills the requirement of being a chronological transaction record. Special journals, on the other hand, are designed for specific types of transactions (like sales or purchases) but are still categorized under the broader concept of journals rather than serving as the general chronological record that a journal does. Thus, the journal form stands out as the primary tool for recording transactions in the order they occur.