Common Trial Balance Errors

When the trial balance does not balance, the accountant must find the errors and correct them. the following steps are suggestions on how to correct errors in the trial balance.

• Double check the trial balance columns to see if they are added together correctly
  
• Check if debit accounts or credit accounts are placed on the trial balance by error
  
• Recompute each account balance in the accounting ledger.
• Ensure that account balances are correctly entered from the accounting ledger.
• Verify that each journal entry is posted in the trial balance.
  
• Double Check that each original journal entry has equal debits and credits on the ledger.

Additional Accounting Information:

Information on the Accounting Cycle
What is a Trial Balance?