Accounting Reference
The DEALER framework.
Master double-entry bookkeeping with one simple mnemonic. Every account type falls into one of two categories: Debit-normal or Credit-normal.
D·E·A — Debit-Normal · L·E·R — Credit-Normal
Schedule 01 — The Mnemonic
Six account types, two columns.
Every account type falls into one of two categories: Debit-normal or Credit-normal. DEALER is how you remember which is which.
Debit-Normal
These accounts increase with debits.
Dividends · Expenses · Assets
Credit-Normal
These accounts increase with credits.
Liabilities · Equity · Revenue
The Golden Rule
In every transaction: Debits = Credits. Money flows from the credited account to the debited account.
Schedule 02 — Account Types
Every account, explained.
What each of the six account types represents, how it behaves, and where it appears in an estate's books.
Debit-Normal Accounts — D · E · A
Dividends
Distributions of profits to owners. Increase with debits.
Owner withdrawals · Shareholder distributions
Expenses
Costs incurred in the course of business operations. Increase with debits.
Legal fees · Office supplies · Utilities
Assets
Resources owned that provide future economic benefit. Increase with debits.
Estate checking · Real estate · Investments
Credit-Normal Accounts — L · E · R
Liabilities
Obligations owed to others. Increase with credits.
Mortgages · Credit cards · Loans payable
Equity
The owner's stake in the business. Increase with credits.
Opening balance · Net worth · Retained earnings
Revenue
Income earned from operations. Increase with credits.
Interest income · Dividend income · Rental income
Schedule 03 — How Transactions Work
Money moves from credit to debit.
In every transaction, the source account is credited — money flows from it — and the destination account is debited — money flows to it. The two sides always agree.
- Source Account — Credited
- Money flows from here.
- Destination Account — Debited
- Money flows to here.
Paying $500 for legal fees from Estate Checking:
| Side | Account | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DR | Legal Fees (Expense ↑) | 500.00 |
| CR | Estate Checking (Asset ↓) | 500.00 |
Debits = Credits
Closing Entry
Now watch the framework keep your books.
Estate Bookkeeper applies DEALER on every entry — so your matters balance by construction, not by hope.
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