How to reconcile main credit card when secondary has a negative balance?

Let me help you get this fixed, Lori.

When you connect to online banking, ensure you know how your bank sends the downloaded transactions. If the transaction downloads to one account, connect the parent account. If it downloads to individual accounts, you can connect the subaccount instead of the parent account.

You'll want to transfer the balance from the secondary credit card to the primary one to zero out the balance or locate the -200.23 transaction and then edit it to the correct account. Another way is to use a journal entry to offset the amount. However, I still recommend reaching out to your accountant to guide you with the proper way and the correct process.

Learn how you can set up a bank or credit card account with multiple subaccounts to easily connect to your bank and reconcile bank transactions. Check out this article for more information: About Bank Or Credit Card Subaccount Setup.

Furthermore, learn how you can start or fix your reconciliation. I've added this article for more details: Learn The Reconcile Workflow In QuickBooks.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions when reconciling credit card accounts. We'll always be right here to help you anytime.

Thank you for your help! I've reached out to my accountant and he is going to help me, thank goodness. I appreciate your reply very much!

Reconciling credit card accounts, especially when dealing with multiple cards, can be a bit complex. Here are general steps you can take when reconciling a main credit card account that has a secondary card with a negative balance:

1. Review Statements:

   • Obtain the recent statements for both the main credit card and the secondary card. Make sure you have all the necessary information, including transaction details, balances, and payment information.

2. Identify the Negative Balance:

   • Clearly identify which card has the negative balance. Determine whether it's the main card or the secondary card.

3. Understand the Negative Balance:

   • If it's the secondary card with the negative balance, understand the reason behind it. It could be due to returns, credits, or overpayments.

4. Verify Transactions:

   • Go through the transactions on both cards to ensure that all purchases, payments, and credits are accurately reflected.

5. Adjustments:

   • If the negative balance on the secondary card is due to returns or credits, make the necessary adjustments to both cards to ensure that the overall reconciliation is accurate.

6. Coordinate with Cardholder:

   • If the secondary cardholder made returns or credits, coordinate with them to confirm the nature of the transactions. Ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding any adjustments that need to be made.

7. Record Transactions:

   • Record any necessary transactions, adjustments, or corrections in your accounting system. This ensures that your records accurately reflect the financial activity on both cards.

8. Reconcile Separately:

   • Reconcile each card separately before reconciling the overall account. Ensure that each card's statement matches your recorded transactions.

9. Verify Total Balance:

   • After reconciling individual cards, verify that the total balance of the main credit card account accurately reflects the combined activity of both cards.

10. Document the Process:

    • Keep clear documentation of the reconciliation process, adjustments made, and any communication with the secondary cardholder.

11. Contact the Credit Card Issuer:

    • If you encounter issues or discrepancies that you cannot resolve, contact the credit card issuer's customer service for assistance.