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Page 1 Bank Reconciliation Statements Page 2 Bank Reconciliation Statements Overview Cash Book Records Businesses record cash and bank transactions in a cash book, which serves as both cash account and bank account, showing balances at period end. Bank Statement A bank statement or passbook shows the bank's record of an account, enabling customers to check funds and update their transaction records. Reconciliation Need The cash book and bank statement balances often differ, requiring reconciliation to identify and explain these differences. In a bank statement, deposits appear in the credit column while withdrawals show in the debit column. A credit balance indicates deposits exceed withdrawals, while a debit balance (overdraft) means withdrawals exceed deposits. Page 3 Bank Reconciliation Statements Overview Cash Book Records Businesses record cash and bank transactions in a cash book, which serves as both cash account and bank account, showing balances at period end. Bank Statement A bank statement or passbook shows the bank's record of an account, enabling customers to check funds and update their transaction records. Reconciliation Need The cash book and bank statement balances often differ, requiring reconciliation to identify and explain these differences. In a bank statement, deposits appear in the credit column while withdrawals show in the debit column. A credit balance indicates deposits exceed withdrawals, while a debit balance (overdraft) means withdrawals exceed deposits. Need for Reconciliation Purpose Bank reconciliation statements are needed because the bank balance in a firm's cash book rarely matches the balance shown in the bank statement. This statement helps reconcile (tally) these two balances by identifying and explaining the differences. Requirements To prepare a reconciliation statement, you need both the cash book balance and bank statement as of a particular date. By comparing entries in both records, you can identify the items causing discrepancies and their amounts. Causes of Differences The differences between cash book and bank statement balances typically arise from timing differences in recording transactions and errors made either by the business or the bank. Page 4 Bank Reconciliation Statements Overview Cash Book Records Businesses record cash and bank transactions in a cash book, which serves as both cash account and bank account, showing balances at period end. Bank Statement A bank statement or passbook shows the bank's record of an account, enabling customers to check funds and update their transaction records. Reconciliation Need The cash book and bank statement balances often differ, requiring reconciliation to identify and explain these differences. In a bank statement, deposits appear in the credit column while withdrawals show in the debit column. A credit balance indicates deposits exceed withdrawals, while a debit balance (overdraft) means withdrawals exceed deposits. Need for Reconciliation Purpose Bank reconciliation statements are needed because the bank balance in a firm's cash book rarely matches the balance shown in the bank statement. This statement helps reconcile (tally) these two balances by identifying and explaining the differences. Requirements To prepare a reconciliation statement, you need both the cash book balance and bank statement as of a particular date. By comparing entries in both records, you can identify the items causing discrepancies and their amounts. Causes of Differences The differences between cash book and bank statement balances typically arise from timing differences in recording transactions and errors made either by the business or the bank. Timing Differences Time Gap in Recording When a business compares its cash book balance with the bank statement balance, differences often arise due to time gaps in recording transactions related to payments or receipts. Transaction Timing The business and bank may record the same transaction on different dates, creating temporary discrepancies between the two records that need reconciliation. Reconciliation Period These timing differences are normal and expected, making regular bank reconciliation an essential accounting practice to ensure accuracy of financial records. Page 5 Bank Reconciliation Statements Overview Cash Book Records Businesses record cash and bank transactions in a cash book, which serves as both cash account and bank account, showing balances at period end. Bank Statement A bank statement or passbook shows the bank's record of an account, enabling customers to check funds and update their transaction records. Reconciliation Need The cash book and bank statement balances often differ, requiring reconciliation to identify and explain these differences. In a bank statement, deposits appear in the credit column while withdrawals show in the debit column. A credit balance indicates deposits exceed withdrawals, while a debit balance (overdraft) means withdrawals exceed deposits. Need for Reconciliation Purpose Bank reconciliation statements are needed because the bank balance in a firm's cash book rarely matches the balance shown in the bank statement. This statement helps reconcile (tally) these two balances by identifying and explaining the differences. Requirements To prepare a reconciliation statement, you need both the cash book balance and bank statement as of a particular date. By comparing entries in both records, you can identify the items causing discrepancies and their amounts. Causes of Differences The differences between cash book and bank statement balances typically arise from timing differences in recording transactions and errors made either by the business or the bank. Timing Differences Time Gap in Recording When a business compares its cash book balance with the bank statement balance, differences often arise due to time gaps in recording transactions related to payments or receipts. Transaction Timing The business and bank may record the same transaction on different dates, creating temporary discrepancies between the two records that need reconciliation. Reconciliation Period These timing differences are normal and expected, making regular bank reconciliation an essential accounting practice to ensure accuracy of financial records. Factors Affecting Time Gap (Part I) 1 Cheques Issued But Not Presented When a firm issues cheques to suppliers or creditors, they immediately record this in the cash book. However, the bank only debits the firm's account when these cheques are actually presented and paid, creating a time lag. 2 Cheques Deposited But Not Collected Cheques received from customers are immediately recorded in the cash book, but the bank only credits the account when the amounts are actually realised, which may take several days, especially for outstation cheques. 3 Direct Debits by Bank Banks sometimes deduct amounts for various services without the firm's immediate knowledge, such as collection charges, incidental charges, interest on overdraft, or bounced cheques, reducing the bank statement balance.Read More
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1. What is a bank reconciliation statement? | ![]() |
2. Why is bank reconciliation important? | ![]() |
3. How often should bank reconciliation be performed? | ![]() |
4. What are some common reasons for differences between the bank statement and the company's records? | ![]() |
5. How can discrepancies between the bank statement and the company's records be resolved? | ![]() |