What is the definition of a journal entry in accounting?

A journal entry in accounting is defined as a record of a financial transaction that includes the date of the transaction, the accounts affected, the amounts involved, and a description of the transaction. This is crucial for maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring that each transaction is documented properly in the company's accounting system.

This systematic approach allows accountants to track the financial health of an organization, as each entry contributes to the larger financial picture reflected in the financial statements. The specifics of a journal entry provide the foundation for subsequent steps in the accounting process, such as posting to the general ledger and preparing trial balances.

The other options present related concepts but do not accurately capture the definition of a journal entry. For instance, a summary of all transactions for a given period describes a broader financial overview rather than a specific transaction record, while a record of cash inflows and outflows pertains to cash flow statements instead of individual transaction entries. Additionally, a list of fixed assets owned by the company refers explicitly to asset tracking and management, rather than the recording of transactions as done through journal entries.