A man in business casual attire sitting at a modern desk, focused on reconciling his bank accounts on a computer screen. The man is holding a pencil and appears to be carefully reviewing the financial information in front of him.

What is account reconciling? (And why it is so important!)

Bank reconciling is the process of comparing a company's bank statement to its own records of transactions to ensure that they match. This process is an important step in maintaining accurate financial records and identifying any discrepancies that may have occurred.

The first step in reconciling a bank statement is to compare the company's own records of transactions to the transactions that appear on the bank statement. This includes reviewing all deposits, withdrawals, checks, and electronic transactions. It is important to ensure that all transactions that appear on the company's own records are also reflected on the bank statement, and vice versa.

Next, any discrepancies that are found between the company's records and the bank statement must be investigated and resolved. This may include correcting errors in the company's records, or contacting the bank to inquire about any transactions that are not reflected on the company's records.

It is also important to take note of any bank charges or fees that appear on the bank statement. These charges must be recorded in the company's financial records and accounted for in the reconciliation process.

Once all discrepancies have been resolved and all transactions have been matched, the reconciled bank statement should balance with the company's own records of transactions. This process provides assurance that the company's financial records are accurate and that there are no missing or unauthorized transactions.

Reconciling bank statements regularly, at least monthly, is an important step in maintaining accurate financial records and identifying any discrepancies that may have occurred. It also helps in detecting any potential fraud or errors and can help in identifying any potential cash flow issues early on.

In conclusion, reconciling bank statements is an important step in maintaining accurate financial records and identifying any discrepancies that may have occurred. It helps in detecting any potential fraud or errors, and can help in identifying any potential cash flow issues early on. Business owners should make sure they reconcile their bank statements regularly, at least monthly.