Abstract: A method and data processing system for processing various transactions, accounts, and journals. Data is received by the dam processing system, wherein the data includes data that is specific to accounting processes. A first portion of the data is identified as core data, wherein this first portion contains data specific to accounting processes. The second portion of the data is identified as auxiliary data. The core data and auxiliary data are stored in different files. Links are established between the various types of data. The stored data may be retrieved by a number of different processes, but core data may be modified only by accounting processes.