From bookkeeping to year end
Journals
Use journals for genuine accounting adjustments with a clear date, narrative and balanced debit/credit. Do not use journals simply to hide an unresolved bank or subledger difference.
Payroll and CIS controls
Where payroll or CIS accounting is in scope, reconcile the control balances to the underlying payroll/CIS information and payments. Investigate unmatched liabilities rather than clearing them to an arbitrary expense.
Fixed assets and loans
Maintain supporting schedules so additions, disposals, depreciation and closing balances explain the nominal ledger. Loan schedules should similarly explain capital, interest and closing liability.
Reports and drill-down
Use the trial balance as the accounting control, then review Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet outputs with drill-down to the underlying transactions. Nil balances can be hidden for cleaner reporting while the underlying ledger remains intact.
Pass into Final Accounts
Once the accounting record is agreed, Accounts Production should use that connected source rather than a separately re-keyed trial balance. See Final Accounts tutorial →.