How to Fix an Incorrect Trial Balance

by Julie Davoren

The trial balance is meant to check the mathematical accuracy of accounts’ debit and credit balances. Mathematical accuracy, however, does not mean that the trial balance is absolutely correct. There are errors that will result in clear disagreement of the trial balance’s debit and credit totals. Some errors will not result in a difference between debit and credit totals, leading you to believe that the values are recorded correctly.

1. Check your trial balance’s mathematical accuracy by adding the debit and credit columns again. Sometimes, using a calculator to add the debit and credit totals manually from top to bottom then again from bottom to top, helps to find errors. If you get different amounts with each calculation, you may have an error in your amounts.

2. Find the difference between your debit and credit amounts. Search the list of ledger balances to find this difference. If you find the difference, adjust it in the trial balance accordingly and recheck mathematical accuracy.

3. Check the individual debit and credit balances of each general ledger If the trial balance remains incorrect. You may find differences arising from transcription or transposition errors. If you find the error, adjust it accordingly, restate the trial balance and recheck the mathematical accuracy.

4. Recompute each of your general ledgers’ balances and find mathematical errors in their addition and subtraction, if the trial balance still demonstrates errors. Miscalculated ledger balances will show a different figure when you re-compute. Adjust this corrected figure in the trial balance and recheck its mathematical accuracy.

5. Perform a detailed analysis of each ledger account if the trial balance remains inaccurate at this point.

6. Check each general ledger account’s journal entries. Look for errors in posting journal entries for all transactions, such as errors of commission, omission, compensating errors or errors of principle.

7. Adjust journal errors and restate the ledger balance and consequently the trial balance. Recheck the mathematical accuracy of the trial balance again.

Things Needed

  • Calulator
  • General ledger
  • Journals
  • Transaction receipts


  • Classify any remaining small or immaterial differences in a temporary account called suspense account. Add the suspense balance to the side of trial balance that has the lower balance.

Photo Credits

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