This chapter provides a general overview of the features and benefits of using the General Ledger module in an integrated environment. It also focuses on how this module integrates with other modules in the Great Plains application.

This chapter focuses on the setup procedures for the General Ledger module. You examine the different types of posting accounts and budget calculation methods in detail. A section also focuses on Quick Journals which increase efficiency and accuracy for posting transactions that occur on a regular basis but have varying amounts posted to each account. Once your General Ledger has been set up there are many reports that are available to document the selected preferences. The next step is to enter Beginning Balances and the options available for this step are examined after all account types have been created.

This chapter defines the ways that transactions can be entered and posted in General Ledger. You explore the difference between transaction level and batch level posting, and the methods for posting batches. The chapter demonstrates how to use clearing entries to transfer the balance of an account that is no longer being used to another account. In addition to these topics, the chapter covers linking transactions for analysis purposes using Transaction Matching and the ability to recover batches should there have been a power fluctuation or posting interruption.

This chapter examines how to use analysis codes and analysis groups to allow for detailed inquiry and reporting capabilities without creating additional general ledger accounts. This chapter discusses how to record detailed data about your transactions and performed detailed analysis of the data after it is posted in the system.

This chapter shows how to record transactions in one company that creates transactions in another company's General Ledger. You examine the terms that are specific to Intercompany Processing and demonstrate the accounts that must be created to allow these types of transactions to be entered and posted.

This chapter focuses on defining the components of your organization and the relationships between them. Once defined, users and accounts can be assigned to the various parts of the organization. If Account Level Security is activated in this company, users can use only those accounts to which they have been given access, based on their position in the organization.

This chapter examines the functionality available to maintain your General Ledger records. There is also a section that focuses on correcting posted entries as well as changing and deleting records. Retrieving information is also a big focus of this chapter. Account Rollup Inquiry and Transaction Matching setup and analysis capabilities are discussed in this chapter. Time is also spent discussing the inquiry windows and reports that can be generated from the General Ledger module.

This chapter examines the process of closing an accounting period and the fiscal year. The steps necessary to complete each phase of the closing process are discussed for the end of a period as well as a fiscal year. You look at the reports and financial statements that should be printed before performing the closing process. Time is spent examining what actually takes place during the closing process and the two approaches that an organization may use for this process.

In this chapter shows the financial statements you can print using Quick Financial statements. Time is spent defining the type of financial statement to be printed and the formatting and printing options that are available for these reports. An overview of Advanced Financial Analysis and using the Accelerator File is presented.

This chapter reviews the key points discussed in this course.

This appendix discusses the use of SmartList to access financial data. There are also optional exercises that can be completed by students if time permits.

This chapter focuses on sales and purchases taxes specific to Canadian businesses. Setting up tax details and tax schedules and calculating taxes on transactions is included in this section. In addition, creating two customer and vendor classes (US and Canada) for each vendor or customer to maintain separate sub-ledgers and balance to General Ledger is covered in this section. Based on country-specific needs, this chapter is optional for classroom presentation.

This case study is a comprehensive lab that can be used to reinforce the learning that has occurred throughout the General Ledger class.