When entering a journal entry, what happens if the debits don't equal the credits?

When entering a journal entry in QuickBooks, it is essential that the total amount of debits equals the total amount of credits. If there is an imbalance, QuickBooks will prevent the transaction from being recorded. This mechanism ensures the integrity of the accounting records by adhering to the fundamental principle of double-entry bookkeeping, which states that every financial transaction must be recorded in two accounts, maintaining the balance of the accounting equation.

The system's refusal to allow unbalanced entries is a safeguard against errors that could lead to inaccurate financial reporting. This requirement allows users to identify and correct any discrepancies before finalizing their entries, ultimately ensuring accurate financial statements and maintaining the reliability of the accounting system.