Reconciliation Format

• 1). Prepare a spreadsheet. Use the first column of your spreadsheet to enter descriptions for your line items. Use the second column to enter the amount for each line item.
  
  
• 2). On the first row enter the description "Balance per Bank" and in the amount column enter the ending balance per your bank statement.
  
  
• 3). List the adjustments to your bank balance on the next rows giving each a unique description and an amount.
  
  
• 4). Total your bank balance and all your adjustments. When this sum equals your general ledger balance, you have completed the reconciliation. Enter the description "Balance per General Ledger" on the last row of the reconciliation. Show the amount for this row with a double underline to indicate it is the grand total.
  
  
• 5). Resolve adjustments that are not simply timing differences by either booking a correcting entry to your general ledger or contacting your bank if they have made an error in your account.
  
  

Common Adjustments

• 1). Compare the checks issued per your payroll reports to the checks that have cleared the bank to identify the outstanding checks. Enter the total of all outstanding checks as a negative number. Your bank may provide you with a listing of the outstanding checks.
  
  
• 2). Verify that the amount of direct deposits issued and posted to your general ledger equal the amount the bank debited to your account for direct deposits. If the bank statement does not show a direct deposit issued that you have already posted in the general ledger enter it as a positive adjustment.
  
  
• 3). List any bank fees included on your bank statement but not recorded in your general ledger as a positive adjustment. Prepare an entry to your general ledger to the record the fees.
  
  
• 4). Compare the amount withdrawn from your payroll cash account for payroll taxes to the amount of payroll tax liability you posted to the general ledger. If the amount taken from the bank differs, enter the difference as an adjustment. If the bank withdrawal is higher, you should enter the difference as a positive adjustment.