What is to be prepared after ledger-posting?

Correct option is A

After all transactions recorded in the journal are posted to their respective ledger accounts, the next essential step is the preparation of a Trial Balance. The purpose of preparing a Trial Balance is to verify the arithmetical accuracy of ledger postings. It ensures that the total of all debit balances equals the total of all credit balances, reflecting the correctness of the double-entry system. A Trial Balance acts as the foundation for preparing final accounts. Without it, one cannot proceed to prepare Trading A/c, Profit & Loss A/c or Balance Sheet because it summarizes all account balances in a structured manner. Thus, the correct option is (a) because the Trial Balance is the immediate step after ledger posting. Other statements represent later stages in the accounting cycle.
Information Booster
· A Trial Balance is usually prepared at the end of an accounting period.
· It helps identify posting errors, double postings, or wrong debit/credit entries.
· It is not a part of the final accounts but a working statement.
· Trial Balance includes only ledger balances and not narration of transactions.
· It forms the basis for drafting Trading, P&L, and Balance Sheet.