CORAA
University · Fraud risk

Journal Entry Test Filter.

Paste a journal entry listing and pick the tests to run. Every test uses a setting you control, such as what counts as a round amount or how many days before period end is too close. Flagged entries are candidates for follow-up, not conclusions.

Entries and settings

Paste from Excel or CSV. Columns are found by their header names; if a name is not recognised the default position above is used. Dates as dd/mm/yyyy or yyyy-mm-dd.

Set the thresholds from your own understanding of the entity, using performance materiality where relevant. Nothing here is a prescribed limit.

Flagged entries
Entries read7
Entries flagged6
Rows that could not be read0
Near period end5
Round amount4
Blank or generic narration4
Above amount threshold3
Weekend posting2
Possible duplicate2
Watch-list user2
Infrequent user1
JEDateUserAmountFlags
JE-10032026-03-31cfo12,00,000.00Round amount; Near period end; Possible duplicate; Watch-list user; Blank or generic narration; Above amount threshold
JE-10042026-03-31cfo12,00,000.00Round amount; Near period end; Possible duplicate; Watch-list user; Blank or generic narration; Above amount threshold
JE-10022026-03-29rohit5,00,000.00Round amount; Weekend posting; Near period end; Blank or generic narration
JE-10072026-03-30rohit20,00,000.00Round amount; Near period end; Blank or generic narration; Above amount threshold
JE-10062026-03-15meena18,640.00Weekend posting; Infrequent user
JE-10012026-03-28asha4,82,350.75Near period end

Filters first, judgement second.

Auditing standards on fraud expect the auditor to test journal entries because management can override controls through them. A listing with thousands of lines cannot be read line by line, so filters narrow it to the entries that deserve a question. This tool applies the filters you choose and shows which test caught each entry. An entry that is flagged still needs a look at its support and business reason. A clean result means only that none of these tests fired.

Journal entry risk scorerBenford's law checker

How the tests work

Each entry is read from your pasted rows. Round amounts are those that divide exactly by the unit you set and are at least the minimum you set. Weekend entries fall on the non-working days you pick. Period-end entries are dated within the number of days you set before the period end, or after it.

Possible duplicates share the same account, date and amount. Users are flagged if they are on your watch-list or have posted very few entries. Narration is flagged when blank or when it contains one of your words.

An entry can trip several tests and the list is sorted with the most flags first. Nothing is uploaded; the work happens in your browser.

Worked example — year-end plug

An entry for 20,00,000 posted on 30 March to Revenue, narration "Year end true-up", with a period end of 31 March.

Inputs
Round unit1,00,000
Days before period end3
Generic wordsincludes "true-up"
Output
Round amountFlagged
Near period endFlagged
Generic narrationFlagged
Three flags on a revenue entry is a sound reason to ask for the support and who approved it.

Common mistakes

Testing an incomplete listing
Agree the total of the listing to the trial balance first, otherwise entries may be missing.
Treating a flag as a finding
A flag is a prompt for inquiry. Many flagged entries have ordinary explanations.
Using thresholds copied from elsewhere
Set round units and amount thresholds from the size and habits of this entity.

Frequently asked questions

What columns does the pasted data need?+
A header row, then JE number, date, user, account, narration and amount. Other column orders work if the header names contain words such as date, user, account, narration or amount.
Is my data uploaded?+
No. Everything is processed in your browser.
Does it test debits and credits separately?+
It takes one amount per line. Use the debit or credit column, or the absolute value, depending on what you want to test.

Authoritative sources

ICAI — SA 240, The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Fraud — Journal entry testing. Check the current text.
Always confirm against the latest version of the source. Regulations evolve and amendments are common.
Related calculators
Journal entry risk scorer →Benford's law checker →Duplicate payment test kit →
Share this tool
Last reviewed: 2026-10-17 · For informational purposes only — not professional advice.