Reversing a voided check

MaryJoyD, 

Thank you so much for confirming that process. Worked like a charm!

We're glad that the steps provided by @MJoy_D worked, SunshineBe77829.

You can always post your questions here in the Community and we're always right here to help you in any way.

Thank you so much for trusting QuickBooks. Have a great day.

I voided several stale checks from 2020 using the edit feature in the check register.  These checks were written in 2020 but not cleared.  How do I prevent this action from changing last years balance sheet used in the audit?

Bill Goode

[email address removed] 

Let me guide you on how to prevent changes from the last year's balance sheet, BGoode.

You can close your books for the year 2020 to make sure that this will be protected from any changes made within the current period. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. In QuickBooks, click on Edit, then Preferences.

2. Select Accounting, choose Company Preferences. Next, click on the Set Date/Password button.

3. Enter the date you want your books closed, set a password, and click OK

4. The closing date is set.  No invoices edited prior to this date will sync into your QuickBooks.

5. If an invoice from the closing date or earlier syncs, you will get a notice to let you know that the period is closed.

Also, QuickBooks creates automatic adjustments in preparation for the coming year once you close your books. You can read this article for more detailed information: Close Your Books In QuickBooks Desktop. 

You may want to edit the closing date or if you forgot the closing date password. I've added this article for your guide: Edit Your Closed Books.

Let me know if there's anything else that you need in QuickBooks. I'm always right here to help you anytime. 

Can you rewrite the same check that you voided?  We placed a stop payment on a check after the bank said it hadn't cleared.  However when we received our bank statement it showed that the check had cleared 4 days prior to our stop payment.  How can I fix this in QuickBooks so the audit trail is clean.

We made a stop payment on a check after calling the bank to confirm that the check had not cleared.  I voided the check in our register at that point however, once we received our recent bank statement it showed the check had cleared 4 days prior to my phone call to the bank placing the stop payment on the check.  Can I delete the voided check and rewrite the same check in my register?  What is the best way to fix this for a clean audit in the future?

I'll make sure you'll have a clean audit trail in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), @hendryprop.

When you void a check, QuickBooks changes its amount to zero but keeps a record of the transaction in your books. Deleting, on the other hand, removes the record of the transaction entirely in QuickBooks.

Yes, you can delete a voided check. However, it's best to keep a record of the transaction to easily track the stop payment you've made. Then, I would also encourage you to consult your accountant on how you can re-enter the check for a clean audit in the future in QBDT.

Whenever you're ready to rewrite the check, follow the step-by-step guide in this article: Create, modify, and print checks.

Also, I'd recommend reconciling your expense account every month. This will effectively monitor your payments and expense transactions and detect any possible errors. For the complete details, please refer to this article: Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Desktop.

Please keep me posted in the comments if you have other concerns about managing checks and payment transactions in QBDT. I'm always ready to help. Take care, and I wish you continued success, @hendryprop.

the question was how to reverse a voiced check.  the reply simply showed how to void a check.

Go back into the voided transaction and where the line item amount shows $0.00, enter the amount (s) for the line items to equal the total of your check, then hit save.  It will remove the void and show the check in that amount in your transactions for that vendor/customer

a cheque that was voided in error from a reconciled month, is now creating all my prior reconciliations incorrect as well.  Am i able to reverse the void?  Is so, can i get specific details.  I really dont want to un-reconcile right back to april

Sadly, you cannot reverse a voided check.  You can only recreate it.  If you need the information from it, in order to recreate it, you can check the history or audit log to find the info. 

I've got some tips to provide on how to manage voided checks in QuickBooks Desktop, @Chirobookkeeper. 

I agree with Just me. Checks that have been voided can no longer be reversed. Instead, you can recreate them. Here's how:

1. Open the Banking menu.
2. Go to Write Checks.
3. Fill in all the necessary information.
4. Once done, click on Save & Close.

See more information about handling checks using this module: Create, modify, and print checks in QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, you may run the Audit Trail report for you to find out the check details. You'll want to make sure all of it is accurate to keep the account in order.

Lastly, I'm adding these links that you may find helpful when personalizing reports and resolving account balance differences.

• Customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop
• Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Desktop

Please let us know if this goes. We're here to assist you further if you have other concerns about checks or QuickBooks. Have a good one!

I'm running in the same situation. However, I don't want to DELETE a check. Is there a better way to recreate check#1 and VOID check#2?

Hi there, FSCATL.

You can void both checks and then recreate the correct one. Just ensure to enter the correct details when recreating the check.

You can follow these steps to void a check:

1. Go to the Banking menu, click Use Register, and pick the account.
2. Select the check in the register, right-click, and then Void Check.
3. Hit Yes to record the changes to the transaction.

Then, here's how to recreate the correct one:

1. Go to the Banking menu and select Write Checks.
2. Provide all the necessary information. 
3. Click Save & Close once you're done.

Here's an article for more information: Create, modify, and print checks.

I also recommend consulting an accountant for other options to ensure your books are accurate and balanced.

For future use, here's a handy guide to ensure your accounts in QuickBooks match your real-life ones: Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to comment below if you have any other concerns regarding your checks in QuickBooks. I'll be here to lend a hand.