Course Outline
Join PRO

What is an unpresented cheque or check and does it require an adjustment to the balance sheet?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Definition of Unpresented Cheque or Check

An unpresented cheque is a check that a company has written, but the check has not yet been paid by the bank on which it is drawn. An unpresented check is also referred to as an outstanding check or a check that has not yet cleared the bank.

In the bank reconciliation, the unpresented or outstanding check is deducted from the balance per the bank in order to arrive at the adjusted or corrected balance per bank.

Effect of Unpresented Check on Balance Sheet

When a company writes a check, the company records it with a credit to the Cash account in the company’s general ledger. Whether the check has or hasn’t cleared the bank account, the company’s Cash account balance is proper. Hence, the company’s general ledger Cash account will not require an adjustment for the unpresented or outstanding check when it is reported on the balance sheet.

Join PRO to Track Progress

Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

Must Watch image

  • Perform better at your job
  • Get hired for a new position
  • Understand your small business
  • Pass your accounting class
Watch the Video
Certificates of Achievement

Earn Our Certificates of Achievement

Certificates of Achievement
  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts Expense
  • Depreciation
  • Payroll Accounting
View PRO Plus Features

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

Read all 2,651 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
Bookkeeping Study Guide
Managerial Study Guide
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 - Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts Expense
Certificate - Depreciation
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

Read 2,651 Testimonials

Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus