What is the effect on the cash account when posting the total of the cash column in the cash payments journal?

When posting the total of the cash column in the cash payments journal, the cash account is credited. This occurs because the cash payments journal is used to record all cash outflows, meaning that when cash is spent, it reduces the cash balance on hand. Since credits are used to decrease asset accounts like cash, the total amount posted from the cash column of the cash payments journal is reflected as a credit in the cash account.

This aligns with the fundamental accounting principle that when cash is paid out, it reduces the cash available to the business, which necessitates a credit entry. Therefore, the effect on the cash account accurately reflects the reduction in cash resulting from expenditures or payments made.