At a glance
A reconciliation table should show the basis for every connection and retain a route back to the original entry.
In this article 2 min read
Retain the original files
An inventory is prepared before processing: file, source, account, currency, period and format. Originals are kept separately from working tables. Any partial statement is noted immediately. A working row should identify the file, sheet or page from which its entry came.
Make the data comparable
Dates, decimal separators, currencies and flow directions must be interpreted consistently. Keep the original value beside the processed one. Distinguish the transaction date from the account posting date and do not treat a fee as part of a transfer without checking. Uncertain values are not replaced with zero.
Check duplicates and transfers between own accounts
One transaction may appear in several exports for overlapping periods. A transfer between one's own accounts appears on both sides and should not mechanically inflate external receipts. The duplicate-exclusion rule is documented; similar amounts and dates alone do not justify deleting a row.
Check the proposed connection
Amounts, dates, payment details, purposes and documents are compared. Partial payments, refunds, deducted fees and currency conversion are examined separately. The table should record whether a connection is confirmed, needs more data or remains a working hypothesis. The transfer diagram must reflect these distinctions.
Verify the result
Working table totals are reconciled with available statement control figures within the agreed period. Deviations and incomplete portions are described separately. A source-of-funds finding must rely on both money movements and documents establishing the basis for receipts. Technical matching does not replace missing documents.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Source and entry number | Return to the original document |
| Account, currency, direction | Separate different flows |
| Transaction and posting dates | Check the time sequence |
| Amount and payment details | Compare proposed links |
| Basis of the connection and limitation | Distinguish fact from a working hypothesis |