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The Best Free General Ledger Template

The ability to see the bigger picture comes in handy in most areas of life. But when it comes to your business, itā€™s absolutely necessary to look at things with a holistic view. This is where General Ledgers can help.A general ledger serves as a master sheet for your books. It lists all of your transactions from the start of your business to the present.

FreshBooks has created a general ledger template to guide you in creating the perfect statement. With this customizable template, the bigger picture is within reach.

Download your free account ledger template to create your own master sheet in no time.

Free General Ledger Template

Get Your Free General Ledger Template

Not sure how to create a general ledger? Simple. Get started by downloading the free general ledger template from FreshBooks as your guide.

This customizable template shows you exactly what you need to include on your ledger sheet. Available for download in Google Docs, Google Sheets, .XLS, .DOC and PDF, it makes it easy for you to tweak according to your needs.

If you prefer to work on paper, youā€™re in luck. FreshBooks has a printable accounting ledger for people who still like to do their accounting the old-fashioned way.

How Are Ledgers Used In Accounting?

Bookkeeping ledgers are compilations of financial accounts for a business. They are a crucial component of any healthy business, as they assist in keeping a company running smoothly and making sure that all of the financial accounting details are correct.

There are several types of ledger book formats, with the main bookkeeping ledger being a general ledger (also referred to as a master sheet). This is used to generate financial statements for a business, such as a balance sheet or an income statement.

What is an Asset Ledger?

Asset ledgers are detailed sections regarding the companyā€™s financial records specifically relating to the asset portion of the balance sheet, without tracking any of the expenses. This can save time when creating a general ledger, as all of the assets have already been accounted for.

Finding The Right Bookkeeping Ledgers Format For Your Business

Figuring out the right bookkeeping ledgers format can be tricky, but it doesnā€™t have to be.

FreshBooks provides several types of template ledger book formats that can streamline your accounting for you and guide you through the process.

Our well designed ledger account sheets are clearly organized, allowing you to fill in your required financial details easily and accurately.

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Free General Ledger Template

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What is a General Ledger?

A general ledger is the master sheet of all of your business accounting. It shows all of the transactions that have been made in your businessā€™s account since the moment it began.

These transactions are organized to help you understand the total of the money youā€™ve earned and the expenses youā€™ve paid.

The balance of a general ledger reflects the difference of credits from debits. You subtract the total number of debits from the total number of credits to get this figure. Having this information helps you make more informed business decisions.

“Itā€™s beautiful and really well designed. The invoicing, accepting online payments and keeping track of expenses couldnā€™t be simpler.”


Roman Mars

Creator & Host of 99% Invisible

The FreshBooks cloud accounting software will change the way you look at bookkeeping.

  • Bookkeeping on the go with the mobile app
  • No more dusty, rusty filing cabinets
  • Pull reports and data from the cloud anywhere with wifi
  • Work from a bookstore, coffee shop, your couch or wherever is most comfortable for you
  • Invite the team to collaborate on projects
  • Take control of your accounting

Save time and money by investing in the cloud accounting program from FreshBooks.


ā€œAutomating my accounting was one of the best decisions Iā€™ve made for my business.ā€


Why Do I Need a General Ledger Template?

A general ledger is an important document in your business files. It records and organizes all payment activity between your business accounts. You need a general ledger to show you the big picture of your businessā€™s finances and growth.

General ledgers are used to help business owners decide which moves to make next in their businesses. When you know how much youā€™ve made, what your expenses are and how much profit youā€™ve made, youā€™re in a better position to invest back into your business.


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How to Fill Out a General Ledger Template

Create your general ledger sheet in seconds with the downloadable template from FreshBooks.

Download Template

Download your free general ledger template from FreshBooks.

Gather Records

Pull all business records that contain the information you need to create your general ledger.

Sort Data

Organize the data that you need to log in your general ledger sheet.

Input Data

Log all of your data in the appropriate fields listed on your general ledger template.

Review for Errors

Make sure you havenā€™t made any typos or calculation errors. This could throw off your report.

Analyze Your Findings

Use your findings on your general ledger to help you make better business decisions.

More Free Accounting Resources

General ledgers may be the master of all accounting reports, but there are several reports that will help you generate your general ledger.

FreshBooks has created a collection of free accounting report templates to help you take control of your accounting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is included on a general ledger?

A general ledger is basically your accounting master sheet, so it includes everything about your business finances. The business ledger template from FreshBooks includes all of the necessary sections to help you avoid confusion when you create your ledger sheet.

What is the value of a general ledger?

The general ledger is packed with just about every piece of information you need to get a general overview of your businessā€™s finances. It points you in the right direction when it comes to analyzing growth and making decisions for the future of your business.

How do I balance my general ledger?

To balance your general ledger, you subtract debits from credits. You can do this on your own, with the help of an accountant or by opting for FreshBooks accounting software.

Is there a way to automatically generate a general ledger?

Yes. FreshBooks cloud accounting services automatically generate general ledgers and other accounting reports. Plus, youā€™ll have access to a range of accounting factors, such as online invoicing and the mobile app.

How much of an investment are the accounting resources from FreshBooks?

The basic accounting templates from FreshBooks are free to download, but the paid accounting service is still quite affordable. There are plans for every budget, starting as low as $15 a month.

For these affordable prices, you get unlimited access to formatted balance sheet ledgers, which help streamline the process for your bookkeeping entries.

FreshBooks can guide you through your accounting, saving you time and stress.

What Is A Cash Account?

If you’re unsure what kind of accounts are used in bookkeeping, weā€™re here to help. There are specific monetary requirements that define certain kinds of accounts, such as margin or cash accounts.

A cash account is when business transactions have operated on an immediate basis of payment. This means that the cash flow for these transactions must be available, and that future credit has not been offered.

What Is A Double-Entry Accounting System?

In accounting, double-entry bookkeeping refers to a system of accounting where every transaction requires a corresponding entry. These are put in their respective columns for positive and negative transactions, known as debits and credits.

Recording accounting transactions in separate columns in this format shows the overall financial balance of the company, giving business owners a grasp on their project management needs.

What Is A Single-Entry Accounting System?

If youā€™d prefer, you can use a single-entry bookkeeping system. This requires business transactions to be recorded in just one column, whether they are positive or negative entries.Ā 

This transaction information can be tricked in a table or by using specialty accounting document software.

Why Create General Ledgers with FreshBooks?

Sleek Interface

The FreshBooks accounting software interface is sleek and simple to navigate.

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Collaborate with your team by sharing your FreshBooks accounting dashboard.

Work on the Go

Take your accounting on the road with the FreshBooks app. Access it anywhere with wifi.

Invoice the Best Way

Create and send professional online invoices at the touch of a button.

Get Paid

Accept payments through the secure payment portal on FreshBooks.

Donā€™t Break the Bank

FreshBooks plans are super affordable, starting at $15 a month after a 30-day risk free trial.

Ready to Learn More?

Sign up for your free trial of FreshBooks today to see how the cloud accounting software works for you.