Here's an explanation of the terms used on the reconciliation page and how we use them:
Statement date - The end date of the bank statement you are reconciling.
Statement end balance - The closing balance is shown on the bank statement.
Total received and paid - This shows the total value of reconciled payments (money out) and receipts (money in). We update these amounts as you mark each transaction as reconciled.
Starting balance - The Starting Balance is the total of reconciled transactions up to the current statement date. This may not always match the closing balance of your previous reconciliation. It'll include reconciled errors or late entries from prior periods. Check the Starting Balance matches the opening balance on your bank statement. As long as your reconciled balance matches the closing balance on your bank statement, the reconciliation is successful.
Target balance - This is the same as your Statement End Balance. At the end of your reconciliation, this should match the Reconciled Balance.
Reconciled balance - This is a vital part of reconciliation. This is the total of reconciled transactions, plus the starting balance. The aim of any bank reconciliation is to make sure that the closing balance on your bank statement matches the Reconciled Balance in Sage Accounting. When you start, this will always match the starting balance. As you tick transactions, the reconciled balance updates. The reconciliation is finished when the reconciled balance matches the target balance and your bank statement.
Difference - When you start, this is the difference between the Starting Balance and the Statement End Balance. As you reconcile, the difference updates. The reconciliation is successful when the difference is zero.
For example: The starting balance is £1000.
You have two payments to reconcile for £500 and £300, making a total of £800. This reduces your bank balance to £200.
When you start the balances are:
- Starting Balance =1000
- Target Balance =200 (1000 -800).
- Reconciled Balance =1000
- Difference = -800
When you reconcile the first transaction, the reconciled balance is 500 and the difference is 300.
When you reconcile the second, the reconciled balance is 800, and the difference is zero.