Fixing uncleared transaction from 4 years ago

Thank so much! I didn't get any messages about off cycle but I continued and it worked. Phew. =)

Hi there, faf07.

Thank you for posting here in the Community. I'm so glad that my colleague was able to assist you! If you have any other questions, feel free to post here anytime.

Thank you and have a lovely day.

Hi There,

Would this work with QBO?

Thanks.

Thanks for posting here again, @Bermuda1,

The steps shared by my colleague is exclusively for QuickBooks Desktop users. We do not have this option in QuickBooks Online.

To make sure you can clear the entries showing on the reconciliation report, you will need to review them manually. Normally this happens if previously reconciled transactions are modified and the system will tag them as unreconciled, causing them to show up again for reconciliation.

To check the transaction status and make sure it is tagged as reconciled, follow the manual reconciliation steps below:

1. Click the Gear icon.
2. Tap Chart of Accounts.
3. Find the account you want to review.
4. From the Action column, click View register.
5. Locate the entry from the list and make sure the status column (indicated by a check mark) show a code R (Reconciled).
6. If it doesn't, click the field to change the reconcile status. A Blank status means the entry is not cleared or reconciled.
7. Once done press Save. To give you an idea on how it looks like in QBO, see this screenshot:

For additional information about the best practices when reconciling, see this article: Reconcile Hub. 

You can also request for an accountant use to undo a reconciliation to fix any balance discrepancy. See this link for the steps: Undo a client’s reconciliation in QuickBooks Online Accountant

Update me on what happens after reviewing the entries. I want to make sure this is resolved and I'll be right here if you need further help. Have a lovely day!

Hello Jen,

I started the step to change the code to "R" and the following message popped up:

"To keep your books in balance, you should use Reconcile (under the Gear icon) to automatically mark transactions with an R. Are you sure you want to save this change you made manually?"

Would this affect books (i.e. prior months or even prior YEs if the entries related past periods)? 

Thanks.

Hello, Bermuda1. 

Yes, it will affect your books. I'll elaborate more on the details and help you correct your reconciled accounts. 

Basically, changing any reconciled transaction will affect your balances (prior or the next periods). 

You can proceed to manually unreconcile the transaction. However, I do recommend consulting an accountant before making this change. They'll ensure your books are accurate and your reconciliation balances are correct. 

Also, we do have a guide to help you correct your reconciled account. You can follow the steps from this article if you need help with the corrections: Fix issues for accounts you've reconciled in the past in QuickBooks Online.

Do you also need help categorizing your bank transactions after dealing with the reconciliation? Check out this guide to help you out: Categorize and match online bank transactions in QuickBooks Online.

I have more guides and pointers to show you if you need more help with the reconciliation process. I'm also open to other questions about QuickBooks Online. Just reply here and I'll get back to you. 

This did not work and now I have a mess and don't know how I fix it.  Each check I checked as cleared just kept ADDING to the difference.  It will never get to "0" this way.

I'm here to help fix ending balance discrepancies in QuickBooks Online, @4Chefs.

Here are some of the reasons why you’d encounter ending balance discrepancies:

• An incorrect ending balance at the start of the reconciliation.
• Missing or duplicate transactions in QuickBooks.
• Someone entered transactions into QuickBooks that haven't cleared your bank yet.
• Duplicate transactions.

To fix this, let's review the opening and beginning balances. Then, check your ending balance. Make sure you entered the correct amount:

Here's how:

1. In the Reconciliation window, click Edit info.
2. Examine the Ending balance and Ending date.
3. Check your bank statement and make changes as needed.
4. Lastly, click Save.
   
   

If the issue persists, you can proceed to Steps 3 to 7 in this article: Fix issues at the end of reconciliation in QuickBooks Online. 

I also suggest running a Reconciliation Report to review the beginning and ending balances and all cleared/uncleared transactions. 

Once everything is fixed, you can continue reconciling your accounts so that they always match your bank and credit card statements.

You stay connected with me if you have more questions about banking concerns in QuickBooks Online. I'll be around to help you. Keep safe and have a blessed day.

This didn't work for me, my accounts already balanced with my bank statement but when I try clearing the old transactions that just showed up as not cleared from as far back as 2011, it changes the difference from my balanced account and gives me a positive difference.  I know these accounts where cleared in the past years because I reconcile every month and don't know why these are now showing as uncleared.  How do I clear them with out changing the difference from my last reconciliation?

Did this happen after you updated quickbooks by chance? I updated and now I am showing unreconciled transactions from 10 years ago and can't clear it or get it to balance. I think this is a QB update issue but I can't find any info on it

Did this happen since updating? I'm having the same issue. Uncleared transactions dating back 10 years ago and they won't clear. Very frustrating. I'm convinced its a QB update issue but I can't find any information on it

Hello there, @Julie.

Updates are necessary because they can prevent security issues and improve compatibility and program features.

There are times when transactions you already reconciled show up as unreconciled. Here are a few reasons why:

• Someone changed or deleted the reconciled transactions.
• Cleared transactions were unchecked (uncleared) in the account register.
• Someone undid the last reconciliation.
• Funds were transferred from a previously reconciled bank account to a sub-account.

For detailed information you may visit this article: Fix issues when you're reconciling in QuickBooks Desktop.

You can also check in your Audit Trail if any changes were done to your transactions that were already reconciled. 

Here's how:

1. Click Reports at the top menu bar and choose Account & Taxes.
2. Select Audit Trail.
3. On the report screen, click Customize Report.
4. Go to the Filter tab and search for the Transaction type.
5. Choose All and hit OK.
6. Filter the dates.

You can utilize our QuickBooks Community for Canada, where you can find QuickBooks help articles, Community discussions with other QuickBooks users, video tutorials, and more: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-ca

You can visit this article that can help guide you to generate reports in your QBDT to show the information you need: Customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to drop by the Community whenever you have further concerns regarding your transactions. Stay safe!

Hi,

I am having a similar issue to this, however, it is multiple entries that were changed, over multiple previously reconciled periods. For example, I changed two entries from 7/23/21, one entry from 11/12/21, and an entry from 12/8/21. I have been sitting on this for months ( Yikes, I know), I thought I was FIXING things from the past, but obviously not. Do I have to re reconcile all those statements to fix this?

Thanks for any help!

Thank you for joining the thread, @Lianimal24.

I'll gladly help you in achieving your goal.

As you mentioned, you've changed multiple entries in your previously reconciled transaction period. Then, you're right, doing another reconciliation is the best fit for it.  

This is a special reconciliation or mini-reconciliation method which used an off-cycle reconciliation date to make a correction.

Moreover, you can fix transactions to both bank and credit card accounts.

Let me walk you through the process of mini reconciliation:

Reminder: Before you start get this information. It is assumed that you know the ending balance from the recent reconciliation.

Fix transactions in a bank account

1. Route to the Banking menu and select Reconcile.
2. In your bank account select the transactions you want to reconcile.
3. In the field Date of Statement, typed in the date for an "off-cycle reconciliation". The date is between your last reconciliation and the next scheduled one. (Keep in mind that QuickBooks will remind you that you're doing a mini reconciliation, once you enter an "off-cycle" date.  This restores past unreconciled transactions. without changing the "cycle" that they follow).
4. Typed in the balance of your last successful reconciliation in the Ending Balance field. Click Continue.
5. Check off the transactions you are fixing ad re-reconciling in the Reconcile window.
6. The Difference field must show $0.00.
7. If everything looks perfect, click Reconcile now.

Furthermore, if you have transactions that you need to re-reconcile in your credit card account, you click this link for the continued steps as well as what will you do after re-reconciling: Reconcile previously deleted and re-entered checking or credit card transactions.

If you want to learn what to do if your accounts in QuickBooks Desktop don't match your bank statements at the end of your reconciliation, you can read through this link: Fix issues when you're reconciling in QuickBooks Desktop.

Keep me posted if you have other questions about reconciling your account. I'm always here to help. Keep safe!

This doesn't work.  First, it doesn't tell me it's an off cycle reconciliation, no matter what date I put in there.  When I checkmark the 2022 old transactions that got unreconciled due to some changes made after it was reconciled, it just ads those up and doesn't show zero.  Can I just go to the chart of accounts register and change them to an R?  They are from 2022.  

Thank you for reaching out with your concern, @deneen-efficient.

Based on the information you provided, it appears that you're using QuickBooks Online (QBO). In QBO, there is no specific "off-cycle reconciliation" option like in QuickBooks Desktop. However, if anyone makes a change that affects your beginning balance, you'll receive a message "We can help you fix it" before starting the reconciliation process.

Regarding the old transactions from 2022 that have become unreconciled due to changes made after the initial reconciliation, you don't need to manually change them to "R" in the chart of accounts register. Instead, consider following these steps:

1. Click on the We can help you fix it link to access your discrepancy report.
2. Review the discrepancy report. Use it to decide if and how to make changes.
3. Before editing anything, talk with whoever made the changes - they may be intentional.
4. Select View to see the history of changes to the transaction.
5. Review the Change Type column. This tells you what changed.
6. Make edits based on the message in the Change Type column. For detailed instructions, refer to step 4 in this article: Fix Issues for Accounts You've Reconciled in the Past.

Additionally, to resolve any issues that arise while reconciling your accounts, follow this guide: Fix Issues at the End of a Reconciliation. By following these steps, you can address the discrepancies and ensure your financial records accurately reflect your bank statement.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need further assistance or have any questions. We're here to support you throughout the reconciliation process.

I'm having the same issue!

I tried this and it added all the uncleared transactions giving me a balance, it didn't go to $0.00.

I even went back to the register and checked the uncleared transactions and it really messed up my

bank account balance.  Any other suggestions?

Hi there, Mortgage Gal.

Can you tell us if you're using QBO or the Desktop version? I also want to ask what steps you followed? We're asking these questions to make sure that we give you the right information to sort this out.

Please reply back to us to share more details. We look forward to it. 

 Yes, QB Desktop.  I followed this:  At step 5, the amounts add up, they don't zero out.  THANK YOU!

1. Route to the Banking menu and select Reconcile.
2. In your bank account select the transactions you want to reconcile.
3. In the field Date of Statement, typed in the date for an "off-cycle reconciliation". The date is between your last reconciliation and the next scheduled one. (Keep in mind that QuickBooks will remind you that you're doing a mini reconciliation, once you enter an "off-cycle" date.  This restores past unreconciled transactions. without changing the "cycle" that they follow).
4. Typed in the balance of your last successful reconciliation in the Ending Balance field. Click Continue.
5. Check off the transactions you are fixing ad re-reconciling in the Reconcile window.
6. The Difference field must show $0.00.
7. If everything looks perfect, click Reconcile now.

Thank you!  I'm using QB Desktop Pro 2016.  I followed this: 

1. Route to the Banking menu and select Reconcile.
2. In your bank account select the transactions you want to reconcile.
3. In the field Date of Statement, typed in the date for an "off-cycle reconciliation". The date is between your last reconciliation and the next scheduled one. (Keep in mind that QuickBooks will remind you that you're doing a mini reconciliation, once you enter an "off-cycle" date.  This restores past unreconciled transactions. without changing the "cycle" that they follow).
4. Typed in the balance of your last successful reconciliation in the Ending Balance field. Click Continue.
5. Check off the transactions you are fixing ad re-reconciling in the Reconcile window.
6. The Difference field must show $0.00.  HERE IS WHERE THE TRANSACTIONS ADD UP. NOT ZEROED.
7. If everything looks perfect, click Reconcile now.  

Hello there, Mortgage Gal! Thanks for getting back t the thread and providing us with the steps you followed. Allow me to provide additional details about this matter.

It's possible that someone added transactions to QuickBooks that haven't yet cleared your bank, edited or deleted transactions that were already reconciled, made an adjustment to your last reconciliation with a journal entry, or that there are missing or duplicate transactions in QuickBooks, which cause the issue. Let me walk you through the process of how to resolve your problem:

Begin by reviewing your opening and beginning balances. Ensure your opening and beginning balances are correct. Next, verify QuickBooks for any modified transactions by running various reports that would reveal any changed, deleted, or added transactions. You can run the Reconciliation Discrepancy, Missing Checks, or Transaction Detail reports. Lastly, look for reconciliation adjustments. Sometimes users make a reconciliation adjustment to force an account in QuickBooks to match their bank records. I suggest performing the reconciliation adjustment with your accountant's guidance.

Here's how to review the account and make sure no one made an inaccurate adjustment:

1. Go to the Lists menu, then select Chart of Accounts.
2. Open the Reconciliation Discrepancies account.
3. From the Dates field, set dates for your last few reconciliations.
4. Make sure your corrections aren't conflicting with the adjustment.

When everything is fixed, you can finish reconciling. 

Please read this article for more detailed information: Fix issues when you're reconciling in QuickBooks Desktop.

Here are the following articles that you can use moving forward:

• Enter opening balances for accounts in QuickBooks Desktop
• Fix Beginning Balance issues in QuickBooks Desktop

Please reach out to us if there is anything else you need to know. The Community is always available to assist you anytime. Have a nice day ahead!

Help!  I am having the same issue but I followed this guidance and it is not working.  I also did not get the message about a mini reconciliation. I cannot get the difference to be at zero.  It shows 156.88 in the difference field.  Can you provide any further guidance on how to correct this issue?  Thank you!

Hi!  I'm having the same issue and it seems you were too.  Were you able to fix it?  If you did, can you share what steps you took?  Much appreciated!