QuickBooks Bank Recons-Cleaning Up Stale Items
Posted by Mariann Goff on Wed, May 05, 2010
When you open a bank statement reconciliation, what do you see?
Outstanding checks from 8 months ago, 12 months ago or longer? It's time for t
hose items to go! They're never going to clear the balance in your register is incorrect. First, never void or delete a check in a closed accounting period. If a closing date has not been set in QuickBooks this is an easy mistake to make. Before you hit that delete key--stop and think about the consequences! 
How do you make outstanding items from closed periods go away without impacting previous financial reports? Here's my recommendation.
- Identify the stale item and place a checkmark next to it, clearing the item even though it is not on the statement.
- Let's assume you are reconciling the April statement, create a deposit with an April date for the same amount of the check you cleared. On the deposit form the "from account" is the expense account used on the check cleared.
- Return to the reconciliation and place a checkmark next to the deposit.
By following these easy steps you clear stale checks from your bank account without impacting closed financial periods.
Want to learn more about reconciling your bank statement? Contact Mariann at Back Office Works, LLC.