Financial statements & accounting records · Core
General ledger
Also called: GL
ELI5
The central accounting record containing classified transactions and account balances.
Used in conversation
“Finance will reconcile general ledger before the board pack goes out.”
Pitch context
You will see “General ledger” in financial models, budgets, board packs and investor materials when the discussion reaches financial statements & accounting records.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret financial statements & accounting records without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Sources & evidence · 4
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Financial Accounting Standards Board — FASB Accounting Standards CodificationDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Break-even pointSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Compliance and Disclosure InterpretationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16