Books of original entry (also called Books of Prime Entry) are the books where transactions are first recorded before being posted to the ledger. The Journal is the principal book of original entry.
Types of Books of Original Entry: 1. Journal — General book for all transactions not covered by special journals 2. Cash Book — Records all cash and bank transactions 3. Purchases Book — Records credit purchases of goods only 4. Sales Book — Records credit sales of goods only 5. Purchases Returns Book — Records goods returned to suppliers 6. Sales Returns Book — Records goods returned by customers 7. Bills Receivable Book — Records bills received from debtors 8. Bills Payable Book — Records bills accepted in favour of creditors
Why maintain subsidiary books? Division of work, saving of time, easy reference, and facilitating internal check.
Important distinction: Cash purchases go in the Cash Book, not the Purchases Book. Only credit purchases of trading goods are entered in the Purchases Book. Purchase of fixed assets on credit goes in the Journal, not the Purchases Book.
Exam tip: ICAI tests whether you know which book a transaction belongs to. Remember — subsidiary books record only credit transactions for goods, while the Cash Book handles all cash transactions.