To find a matching transaction, provided that amounts are the same, does the date of each transaction have to be the exact same? Thx

Thanks for the reply. So this means ThatI if I expand the transaction and click the Match radio button, it will show me candidate transactions that have a similar amount and dates that are are close? Thanks!

Hi, katherinejoyce...

Thanks for the reply. So if I expand a transaction in my banking register and click the Find match radio button, QB will show me transactions that have equal or similar amounts and dates that are close to the banking transaction date?

Also...what is the purpose of matching? What does it do?

In my case, my QB is integrated with 17 Hats, where I create invoices. The invoice transaction shows up on my deposits screen. When my customer pays with a credit card, the invoice is marked paid, and Square sends a deposit to my bank. The deposit transaction is downloaded from Square and shows up on the bank register. I first add the deposit on the deposit screen, then in the bank transaction screen match that deposit to the deposit from Square in the bank register. I view the journal entries that get created and all looks well. I'm using accrual accounting.

I can provide detailed journal entries if you're interested. Thanks!

Thanks for coming back, @steve138. To answer your questions, you have two options (Add tor Match) for you to add the downloaded bank transactions in QuickBooks.

The purpose of matching is to avoid duplicates when they're added if you have entered items in QuickBooks manually such as invoice, bills, etc. Otherwise, you'll need to choose the Add options if you haven't entered any item yet in QBO. 

And yes, a list of possible match transactions that are close to the banking transaction date should show if you expand a transaction in your banking page and by clicking the Find match radio button

or Find other records button. 

Here's the best article with detailed steps in matching and categorizing bank transactions in QuickBooks Online. It also contains a quick video tutorial as your visual guide. 

As always, I'm around here to help you more if you have additional questions.