Splitting a transaction across different dates

Question

I'm not sure how to record this. I purchase stock through an employee stock purchase plan. The amount is deducted from my pay and stock purchased on my behalf. The stock is purchased on the Tuesday, but the remaining pay doesn't go into my bank account until the Friday.

I want to record the stock purchase on the correct day so that stock price and currency exchange rate match up to historical prices. I also want to record pay deposit on the correct day so it doesn't look like I have more than I do when paying bills.

The only way I can figure to do this is to create a virtual "holding" account that my pay goes into for three days. But then I'm wondering if that's more trouble than it's worth.

Suggestions?

volvogirl · Accepted Answer

Nope.  That's the way to do it.  Set up an intermediate holding account.

splasher · Accepted Answer

Concur with volvogirl, the "virtual "holding" account" as you describe is the only option to have separate dates for the actions.