You balance a checkbook by comparing the amounts on your bank statement or in your bank account to the amounts you have in your checkbook or check register. Accountants refer to this as reconciling the bank statement or doing a bank reconciliation or bank rec (pronounced as “wreck”).

You can find a free explanation and a complete illustration of how to balance your checkbook at Bank Reconciliation.

If you would like a form with instructions to guide you, AccountingCoach.com offers a bank reconciliation form (both blank and completed) as part of its Master Set of 87 Business Forms.

About the Author: Harold Averkamp (CPA) has worked as an accountant, consultant, and university accounting instructor for more than 25 years.

He is the creator of the AccountingCoach Pro which has been praised for its ability to simplify accounting in a way that anybody can understand.

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