This overview chapter introduces you to the General Ledger module of the Microsoft Dynamics SL product and training course, and the windows and processes that are used to complete the accounting cycle in the General Ledger.

Also, it is important to note that this chapter is optional and can be skipped at the instructor's discretion if the instructor feels that each student's background provides sufficient experience in these topic areas.

Main Topics

• Course Description.
• Module Overview.
• General Ledger Process Flow.
• Other Features.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Understand the goals of this course.
• See how the General Ledger module fits into the suite of available modules for the Microsoft Dynamics SL system.
• Follow the flow of transactions through the General Ledger.

This chapter examines the core processes that are used in the General Ledger module. We introduce each step in the accounting cycle, briefly discuss its purpose, and primary features, and focus on its function in the accounting cycle. Please note that this chapter is not intended to provide you with a detailed primer on each of these topics.

This chapter is optional and can be skipped at the instructor's discretion if the instructor feels that each student's background provides sufficient experience in these topic areas.

Main Topics

• Transaction Flowchart.
• Journal Transaction Entry.
• Post Transactions.
• Viewing Results.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the basic processes required to create a Journal Transaction.
• Understand the Release function.
• Understand the purpose of posting transactions to accounts.
• View the results of transactions.

This chapter examines the setup of accounts and subaccounts. We describe the information required for accounts, discuss the FlexKey feature for subaccounts, and define accounts and subaccounts in the system. The FlexKey feature has different levels of validation and these are discussed in detail.

Main Topics

• Procedures for Maintaining Accounts and Subaccounts.
• Chart of Accounts Maintenance window.
• Account Class Maintenance window.
• Subaccount Maintenance.
• FlexKey Table Maintenance.

Lab: Create New Account

• Create a New Account in the Chart of Accounts.

Lab: Create New SubAccount

• Define a new subaccount using subaccount segments.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Add new account numbers to the Chart of Accounts.
• Add new subaccount segments and subaccounts.
• Activate the Account/Subaccount Validation feature.
• Define and use Account Classes.

This chapter discusses the concept of batch entry and the fields and features of the Journal Transaction window. We examine the types of batches that can be entered in the Journal Transaction screen and the processes required to update account balances. You also learn to execute reports to verify information entered.

Main Topics

• Procedures for Entering Journal Transactions.
• Journal Transactions screen.
• Deleting a Journal Transaction Batch.
• Batch Status and Batch Handling Values.
• Journal Transaction Reports.

Lab: Journal Transaction Entry

• Enter an example transaction for a depreciation entry.

Lab: Journal Transaction Entry

• Enter an example transaction for a third party payroll entry.

Lab: Journal Transaction Entry

• Enter an example transaction for a prepaid expense.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Create Journal Transaction batches.
• Differentiate the types of Journal Transaction batches.
• Determine when to use each of the Batch Handling options.

In this chapter, we examine the options for releasing batches. We review the two methods available for releasing batches; using the data entry window, or the Batch Release Process. We also discuss automatic batch control reports, the option to print them automatically, and how to re-print them.

Main Topics

• Batch Release Screen.
• Reprinting Batch Control Reports.

Lab: Release Batches

• Use the Release Batches screen to release multiple Journal Transaction batches.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Decide when to use the Release GL Batches window versus releasing batches from the data entry window.
• Understand the criteria for a batch to display in the Release GL Batches window.
• Release batches using the Release GL Batches window.
• Reprint individual batch control reports or ranges of batch control reports

This chapter examines the Post Transactions process and its role in the accounting cycle. We review the processes used thus far and discuss the updating of account balances. We also discuss audit trail reports and the role the posting process has in updating these reports.

Main Topics

• Procedures for Posting.
• GL Transactions Unposted Report.
• Post Transactions Window.
• Audit Trail Reports.

Lab: Post Transactions

• Use the Post Transactions process to update account balances.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Post batches of transactions using the Post Transactions window.
• Decide which batches should be posted.
• Use the available options to post only selected batches.

The objective of this chapter is to examine the series of windows available for viewing account balances and drilling down to the transaction details. The Inquiry windows allow you to view account balances and compare to budgets without having to print financial statements or reports. Learn to view balances and drill down to the details of the transactions.

Main Topics

• Account Summary Inquiry Windows..
• Account History Window.

Lab: View General Ledger Account Details

• Use the Account Summary Inquiry process to view account balances.

Lab: View Details from a Submodule

• Drill down to details for a transaction originating in Accounts Payable.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• View the balances of General Ledger accounts.
• Drill down to the detail that constitutes an account balance.

Learn to use the manual and recurring batch types to make repetitive journal entries efficient. This chapter explores the difference between the two types of batches and the particular situations in which each should be used.

Main Topics

• Recurring Batches.
• Generate Recurring Transactions.
• Manual Batches.

Lab: Recurring Batch

• Enter a Recurring batch and generate transactions.

Lab: Manual Batch

• Create a Manual batch and use it to generate additional transactions.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Determine when to use the Manual and Recurring batch types.
• Decide which batch type to use for transactions.
• Create and maintain manual and recurring batches.

In this lesson you learn to use ledgers to track multiple budgets and statistics for your accounts, enter transactions for the statistical ledgers and see how to use them in calculations in financial reports, and print standard reports for particular ledgers.

Main Topics

• Procedures for creating and maintaining ledgers.
• Ledger Maintenance Window.
• Ledgers Report.

Lab: Ledger Maintenance

• Create a new Ledger for tracking statistics.

Lab: Ledger Transactions

• Enter journal transactions using a statistical ledger.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Create and maintain ledgers.
• Understand how to use ledgers in data entry.
• Use Ledgers in reporting.

In this chapter you learn to create simple budgets for reporting purposes and use the extended budgeting feature to create custom distribution types: 1) for seasonal work or 2) based on prior year actual or budget amounts.

Main Topics

• Procedures for maintaining basic budgets.
• Budget Maintenance Window.
• Procedures for Maintaining Extended Budgets.
• Budget Distribution Types.
• Budget Version Maintenance.
• Extended Budget Maintenance.
• Budget Distribution.

Lab: Budget Maintenance

• Create a simple budget in the Budget Maintenance window.

Lab: Extended Budget

• Use the custom distribution types to create budgets for multiple accounts.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Create new budgets for General Ledger Accounts.
• Use the Ledger ID to create multiple budgets.
• Use Extended Budgeting to create budgets with user-defined distribution percentages.

The objective of this chapter is to introduce the various ways that account balances can be allocated. You will complete examples and exercises using percentage allocation methods as well as allocations based on other balances, budgets, or statistics stored in ledgers.

Main Topics

• Procedures for Account Allocations.
• Allocation Methods.
• Allocation Group Maintenance.
• Generate Allocation Transactions.

Lab: Allocation Group

• Create an Allocation Group to redistribute an expense.

Lab: Allocation with Budgets

• Create an Allocation Group using a Budget Ledger.

Lab: Allocation Based on Actuals with Contra Accounts

• Create an Allocation Group using Actual balances and posting to contra accounts.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Understand how to use Allocation methods.
• Define Allocation Groups.
• Process Allocation transactions.

This chapter teaches you to create a closing checklist to ensure all transactions and activities have been completed for the accounting period, produce appropriate audit trail reports, correct an out of balance condition, and close only the General Ledger or all modules for the period. We also discuss the detail retention and deletion options.

Main Topics

• Balance the General Ledger.
• Correct an Out of Balance Condition.
• Close for the Month or Year.
• Delete General Ledger Detail.
• Perform General Ledger Integrity Check.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Understand Month-End processes and procedures.
• Balance the General Ledger.
• Use the Adjustment Batch Type.
• Decide when to close General Ledger for the period.
• Execute the Closing process for all modules.
• Delete detail for all modules.
• Understand the GL Integrity Check and when to use it.

This chapter discusses the consolidation process. You learn to take information from different databases with similar and differing periods, calendar years, and chart of account structures, and create a consolidated set of data for reporting purposes.

Main Topics

• Procedures for performing Consolidations.
• Assign Consolidation Accounts.
• Generate Consolidation File.
• Read consolidation File.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Decide when and if the Consolidation process is necessary.
• Define Consolidation accounts.
• Define Source and Destination databases.
• Generate and Read the Consolidation File.

Appendix A: General Ledger Setup

Understand the defaults and user options defined in the General Ledger Setup window. Even though these options are typically not changed after the product is implemented, you will gain understanding of default values and processes through the settings in this screen.

Main Topics

• General Ledger Setup Checklist.
• General Ledger Implementation Worksheet.
• Account/Subaccount Validation.
• General Ledger Setup Screen.

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Understand the decisions that need to be made prior to setting up the General Ledger module.
• Understand the coding stucture for accounts and subaccounts.
• Decide whether to use the Account/Subaccount Validation feature.
• Define options in the GL Setup screen to affect processing.