VPRS 12781 General Ledger

This series consists of general ledgers, ie a record of changes (debit and credit transactions) concerning one or more accounts. The makeup (classification) of accounts was arbitrary and usually depended on the functions of the agency and the regulations governing its financial reporting requirements. Transactions were posted to the ledger accounts via the general journals (see VPRS 12780 General Journal). The general ledger comprised all accounts necessary for the compilation of the finance statements required by the agency.This series began in 1853 when the private railway companies recorded grants in aid of 1000 received from Treasury. From 1856 activity in the ledgers greatly increased as the involvement of the government in the construction of railways intensified. From 1884 the Accountancy Branch of the Victorian Railways maintained this series.