Question

Liam uses checks and a debit card, but does not always write all the transactions in his checkbook register. He has lost track of his checkbook balance. Liam looks up the “available balance” using online banking, and writes it on the next line as his new checkbook balance available to spend. What is wrong with Liam’s method?
a.
Liam’s method fails to consider whether he has written any outstanding checks.
b.
The reconciliation worksheet will not work properly using Liam’s adjusted checkbook balance.
c.
Liam could have unexpected non-sufficient funds fees due on any checks that have not yet cleared the bank.
d.
All of the above.

Answer 1

d.

All of the statements are correct. The online "available balance" may not reflect checks you've written that haven't cleared (so it can overstate what you can safely spend), which will break your reconciliation and can lead to unexpected NSF/overdraft fees. You should keep an accurate checkbook register and reconcile it to your bank statement (or use the ledger balance plus outstanding items) rather than simply copying the available balance.