Why does my general ledger in quickbooks online has no memo/ description on accounts payable side after paying bills? How can I fix this?

Hmm...I would not expect to see description on AP account, usually only need vendor and amount to be paid.

Most common entries:

1) Record AP invoices

Debit expense account

Credit AP (liability) account

2) Record invoice payment

Debit AP (liability) account 

Credit Cash (asset) account

AP account is temporary since it zeroes out once paid so don't really need description, just vendor name.

AP invoice is often charged (debited) to multiple expenses with just one credit to AP account for all lines.

Thanks for sharing your query here today, accounting-emint. I'll help provide details to show memos and descriptions on your General Ledger (GL) reports.

In QuickBooks, memo or description fields are added to indicate notes for the transaction as a whole. If you've entered a specific memo information from the Bill entry created, these details will be visible on the GL report.

That said, memo/description fields will only reflect on the report for all Bill transactions under the Accounts Payable (AP) account/side and aren't visible for Bill Payment entries. You can also customize your report to acquire these data, here's how:

1. In your QBO account, go to Reports from the left menu panel and open the General Ledger report.
2. Modify the reporting period and accounting method.
3. Then, click on the Customize icon.
4. Under the Filter section, select the Account option and choose All Accounts Payable (AP) account.
5. Review other details and click Run report.

I'm including a screenshot below for reference.

Additionally, here's an article you can utilize when keeping track and reviewing your accounts, so they always match your bank and credit card statements: Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Online.

I'll be on this forum anytime you need additional assistance managing transactions in your file. Stay safe and have a good one!

Can you show me a screenshot of the general ledger if that bill has been paid?

I'll help you determine when the bill will show as paid, Accounting. 

You can customize the report so you'll know if the transaction has already been paid or not. To do so, follow the steps outlined below. 

1. On the General Ledger report page, click the Customize button on the upper-right side. 
   
2. Click the Change columns hyperlink, and check the A/P Paid box. Then click Run report.
   
    

Once done, click the bill to open the actual transaction.

This is the actual bill that will show as paid.

 After the bill is paid, it downloads the transactions to your bank. Learn how to review and categorize downloaded transactions to have better insight into the customers' spending habits and vendor expenses. I've added this article for reference: Categorize Online Bank Transactions in QuickBooks Online.

Let us know if you have questions about your General Ledger report. We're always right here to assist you all the time.

@FateCandylaneT  Can you show me a screenshot of the general ledger if that bill has been paid?