Course Outline
Join PRO

What are some reasons that cause the balance on the bank statement to differ from the cash balance on the books?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Reasons a Bank Balance Will Differ from a Company’s Balance

Some of the reasons for a difference between the balance on the bank statement and the balance on the books include:

  • Outstanding checks
  • Deposits in transit
  • Bank service charges and check printing charges
  • Errors on the company’s books
  • Electronic charges and deposits that appear on the bank statement but are not yet recorded in the company’s records

How to Document the Differences

Any items that are already recorded in the company’s general ledger accounts, but have not yet appeared on the bank statement (outstanding checks, deposits in transit), will be noted as an adjustment to the balance per bank statement. Outstanding checks are a deduction to the balance per bank; deposits in transit are an addition to the balance per bank.

If an item is on the bank statement but has not yet been entered on the books, the items are noted as an adjustment to the balance per books. Bank service charges, check printing charges, and other electronic deductions that are not yet recorded in the company’s accounts will become deductions from the cash balance per the books. Electronic deposits not yet recorded by the company will become additions to the cash balance per books.

Join PRO to Track Progress
Must-Watch Video

Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

  • Perform better at your current job
  • Refresh your skills to re-enter the workforce
  • Pass your accounting class
  • Understand your small business finances
Watch the Video

Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials

Read all 2,645 reviews

Features

PRO

PRO Plus

Features
Lifetime Access (One-Time Fee)
Explanations
Quizzes
Q&A
Word Scrambles
Crosswords
Bookkeeping Video Training
Financial Statements Video Training
Flashcards
Visual Tutorials
Quick Tests
Quick Tests with Coaching
Cheat Sheets
Business Forms
All PDF Files
Progress Tracking
Earn Badges and Points
Certificate - Debits and Credits
Certificate - Adjusting Entries
Certificate - Financial Statements
Certificate - Balance Sheet
Certificate - Income Statement
Certificate - Cash Flow Statement
Certificate - Working Capital
Certificate - Financial Ratios
Certificate - Bank Reconciliation
Certificate - Payroll Accounting

About the Author

Harold Averkamp

For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.

Learn More About Harold

Certificates of
Achievement

Certificates of Achievement

We now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping:

  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Payroll Accounting
Badges and Points
  • Work towards and earn 30 badges
  • Earn points as you work towards completing our course
View PRO Plus Features
Course Outline
Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus