Things You'll Need:
- current checkbook register
- current pack of checks you are using
- pen or pencil
- your current bank statement
- calculator
- blank sheet of paper
- deposit slip (receipts) for the past month
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Step 1
On your piece of paper-write down the ending balance as shown on your bank statement. Check your deposit slip receipts against your bank statement. If you have any deposits you have made after the ending date on your bank statement(and they are not showing on your bank statement) - add those amounts to the balance of your bank statement. If you have a checking account that accrues interest-add any interest amounts to your "running" balance on your piece of paper.
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Step 2
Starting with the earliest date on your bank statement - check off in your checkbook register those checks that have come back to the bank for payment. Also check off any withdrawals (payments) you have made through automatic checking account payments, ATM withdrawals, or any other withdrawals from your checking account that was not written out using a paper check. It's probably a good idea to also check them off on your bank statement as you go through them. Add together the total of all checks (and other payments or withdrawals)you have made that are not shown on your bank statement. Deduct that amount from the balance you currently have on your piece of paper. Next, if there are any service charges or monthly fees deducted from your account shown on your bank statement - deduct those amounts also from your current balance. The balance you are now showing on your piece of paper should equal the balance you have in your checkbook register.
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Step 3
There are several steps you'll need to follow to get these two balances the same and reconciled to each other. Follow these steps below until you find the error.
1) Using your calculator-find your ending balance in your checkbook register from the end of last months statement. Following each line in your checkbook register and add your deposits and subtract your withdrawals to see if you made an error as you entered each transaction for the month.
2) Check the deposits you have recorded in your checkbook register against the amounts shown on your bank statement to be sure they are the same.
3) Check the amounts of your checks and withdrawals as shown on your bank statement against the amounts you have shown in your checkbook register.
*You should have discovered any errors by using these steps. If you have a deposit slip that shows a different deposit amount from that recorded on your bank statement you will need to call or visit your bank and have them reconcile their records.
