Balancing the accounts: • Add up the Total columns on both sides (i.e. debit and credit side).
• Subtract the smaller total from the larger total. The difference is called balance c/d (smaller side).
• Enter Total figures on both sides – they have to be on the same line. • On the opposite side below, enter the difference (called balance b/d).
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
• Dates must include dd/mm/yyyy. • Totals from analysed cash book are entered on the last date of the month. • Entries from the analysed cash book go on the opposite side of the ledger. • Accounts with more than one entry should be balanced. • ‘Bank’ or ‘cash’ should be used in the details where appropriate. • When the ledger is completed, all your balances are entered into a new account called the trial balance.
4. Trial Balance
The trial balance is defined as a list of all the balances b/d from the ledgers and the analysed cash book. Trial balance template
Trial Balance as on 30/4/2024 Details (name of account) Debit
(figure if on the Dr side of ledger)
Credit
(figure if on the Cr side of ledger)
RULE
Debit in the ledger = Debit in the trial balance. Credit in the ledger = Credit in the trial balance.
Observe it
Observe the layouts of: 1. The analysed cash book 2. The ledger