Trial Balance

Problem

how to get a trial balance
does MacNail construction accounting software give you a trial balance?

Diagnosis

trial balance is what you first put into a checkbook ledger. It will then be refined when checks clear and you get bank statements.

Solution

1. before starting a checkbook ledger, you'll need to figure trial balance from previous accounting method (or guess) and put it in as 'balance foreward'. After statements are in, adjust the balance forward if necessary to make it reconcile properly.
2. when starting a new ledger, the bottom 'running total' # is the trial balance for the new ledger-- type it into the balance forward cell. If the older ledger is changed after reconciling, also change the bal fwd in the new ledger.

Comments

This is different from "trail balance" which is what you need for hiking :-)

NOTE-- Goldenseal accounting software has a 'account start balance' field where you enter this.

Entered 11/14/95 by Randy. Updated 11/10/2010.