An account represents a document used to record all similar transactions. It consists of a title, a debit column, and a credit column. The left side of an account is the debit side, and the right side of the account is the credit side. The balance of an account is determined by subtracting the smaller sum (debit or credit) from the larger sum. Initially, all transactions are recorded in a journal in a process known as journalizing. When the information recorded in the journal is transferred to the individual accounts, this process is known as posting. Total debits and credits of any transaction must always be equal. A single account is often called a T account because of its appearance as a T. When several related accounts grouped together is called a ledger. Accounts whose balance is carried forward from period to period are known as real accounts or balance sheet accounts. In a double entry accounting system, all journal entries require a debit entry in one account to be simulatously matched by an equal credit entry in another account. A journal entry composed of more than one debit or credit is a compound journal entry.