Debits, Credits & Journals: The Basics That Still Break Financial Statements
If you don’t truly understand debits, credits, and journals, everything else falls apart. This session fixes the basics so your financial statements stop lying to you.
2 CPD units March 12, 2026 1 presenter
What will set you apart
By completing this course you will gain the following competencies
- How debits and credits really work (without confusion)
- How to correctly post basic accounting journals
- How accruals and prepayments affect profit and expenses
- How depreciation journals impact assets and results
- How to account for income received in advance
- How to record and adjust debtors correctly
- Why small journal errors cause big reporting problems
Event breakdown
- How debits and credits really work
- Understanding the double-entry system
- Basic journals explained step by step
- Accruals and why they matter
- Prepayments and expense timing
- Depreciation journals and asset impact
- Income received in advance
- Debtors, adjustments, and corrections
- How journals affect profit and balances
Category: AccountingType: CPD CourseCPD category: Accounting
Description
Many accounting errors do not come from complex standards — they come from weak basics. This session focuses on the core building blocks of accounting: debits, credits, and journals. Delegates will be guided through common everyday journals such as accruals, prepayments, depreciation, income received in advance, and debtor-related entries. The session explains not just how to post journals, but why they are done and how they affect profit, assets, and liabilities. Designed for accountants and bookkeepers who prepare or review financial information, this session strengthens understanding and confidence at the foundation level. By the end of the session, delegates will be able to post and review journals correctly and understand their impact on the financial statements.
Presenters

Leana van der Merwe — Leana: Leana van der Merwe, with 18+ years in accounting and corporate governance, Leana leads technical support at CIBA and is a recognized thought leader in regulatory compliance.
You will earn a certificate
On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 2 CPD units in Accounting.
Requirements
- Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
- Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser