How to resolve an unreconciled difference in Account Reconciliation

Unreconciled difference in bank reconciliation. Deposits in Transit or Outstanding Checks balances are incorrect.

• Improper reconciliation of the bank statement
• Missing or damaged transactions in the general ledger
• Editing a previously cleared transaction

 NOTE: Sage Support doesn't provide bank reconciliation analysis services or a quick fix. Sage has no way to know what entries exist in your company books. The following steps are to help guide you in your investigation. 

For hands-on instruction on reconciling, importing, and troubleshooting unreconciled bank accounts, see Reconciling bank accounts training. For reconciliation tips, see Account Reconciliation tips

 TIP: The program will unclear a cleared transaction in account reconciliation if it’s edited. Re-clear the transaction in the prior reconciliation period. Enter missing transactions or edit existing ones to change the general ledger account for the distribution. 

Damaged transaction

1. Delete the transaction and re-enter it.
2. Reconcile the account and verify that it's in balance.

Beginning transactions not entered

If this is a new Sage 50 company, locate the Account Reconciliation just before starting to use Sage 50. Enter any outstanding checks and deposits from before starting to use the company in Sage 50

1. Select Tasks, Account Reconciliation.
2. Select the cash account to reconcile.
3. Change the statement date to the date just before you started using the company.
4. Click the up arrows button to expand the bottom section.
5. Click the Beginning Transactions button.
6. Enter all deposits and checks (withdrawals) that were outstanding before using Sage 50. When finished, click OK.
7. Continue reconciling the account. 

Incorrect statement date or incorrect statement ending balance

• Verify that you’ve entered the correct Statement Date and Statement Ending Balance.

Transactions don't clear in the program

1. Verify all checks and/or deposits cleared on the bank statement are checked in the account reconciliation screen.
2. Verify all checks and/or deposits that haven’t cleared the bank yet aren’t checked in the account reconciliation screen.
   • An exception to the rule is a pass-through transaction. For example, a voided check would be checked as cleared. This would include both the original check and the reversing void check. The net change to the bank balance in this situation is zero.
3. Verify the amounts listed at the bottom of the account reconciliation screen match the bank statement.
   • Checks and Bank Debits should equal the deductions on the bank statement.
   • Deposits and Bank Credits should equal the additions on the bank statement.
4. Verify the Statement Ending Balance entered in the account reconciliation screen matches the Bank Statement ending balance.
5. Verify the previous month is in balance. If the previous month has an unreconciled difference, the current month will also have an unreconciled difference.

Audit all transactions that have been posted to the cash account

1. Print a detailed General Ledger report for the Cash Account for all periods.
2. Compare the General Ledger report to your Bank Statements to be sure all transactions have been entered properly.

Chart of Accounts beginning balances not posting properly in a closed year

1. Select Maintain, and then select Chart of Accounts.
2. Click Account Beginning Balances button.
3. Select the period you first entered your Chart of Accounts beginning balances.
4. Highlight the amount of the first general ledger account.
5. Press Enter key to get through all the accounts.
6. When you have completed scrolling through all the accounts, click OK to complete the process and re-post the transactions.

Data Verification

1. Select Task, System, and then select Change Accounting Period.
2. Change Accounting Period to Period 01, and then click OK.
3. Select File, and then select Data Verification.
4. Select Both Tests (recommended), and then click Start.
5. Save your backup.
6. Verify that you no longer have any unreconciled differences after the test.

Integrity Check Guide

How to run Data Verification

Account Reconciliation tips