Journal
The journal holds all entries in chronological order with date, accounts, amount, description and document reference; it must be gap-free and unalterable after posting.
Definition
Unalterability is the core of auditability: an error is not corrected by changing the entry but by recording a counter-entry. Programs that let a posted line be silently overwritten are useless for an audit.
The transition from open to final entry is called posting or locking. When it happens — immediately, at the monthly close, with the VAT return — is a setting worth knowing.
Where to read it
- Swiss Code of Obligations (SR 220)
- Ordinance on the Keeping and Preservation of Books of Account (SR 221.431)
What the software must be able to do
Check whether there is a genuine locking step, whether only reversal rather than amendment is possible afterwards, and whether a change log is kept. This is where auditable programs part company with convenient ones.
Checked Aug 2026
More terms under Bookkeeping and retention: Accrual principle Accrued liabilities Annual accounts Association accounting Balance sheet Balance sheet total Book value Break-even point Business assets Business expenses Cash book Cash flow statement Cash receipts Contribution margin Cost centre Current assets Debit and credit Depreciation Double-entry bookkeeping Duty to keep accounts EBIT EBITDA Equity Equity ratio Financial year Fixed assets Fixed costs Foreign currency General ledger Gross profit Hidden reserves Income statement Inventory count Journal entry Liabilities Liquidity Loss carry-forward Membership dues Net profit Opening balance sheet Overheads Pass-through item Prepaid expenses Provision Record-keeping ordinance Reserves Retained profit Simple accounts Swiss SME chart of accounts Tamper resistance Turnover Value adjustment Variable costs Volunteer-run structure Voucher Year-end closing modules