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AttyFunkenbusch
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

I work for a law office and we have some check numbers that were skipped and the checks have never been used. In order to void checks, it looks like there has to be a transaction, so does that mean I have to create a fake transaction to void in order to show the checks as having been voided? Is there a way I can mark them as unused so that there isn't a gap in check numbers in my register? 

Solved
Best answer March 05, 2018

Best Answers
john-pero
Community Champion

Voiding unused checks

Unless the attorneys where you work have some legal objection why cannot you still use these checks? We handle checks out of order all the time. Boss will take a stack so he can file evictions and maybe does not use them all that day. You will know when the statement comes in the mail what checks actually cleared and as long as you enter the correct check numbers in QB to match what prints or is handwritten...

 

To answer your question, if you wish to physically void the checks you do that and write VOID on them and then hang onto them for 3-7 years depending on other hold requirements for records. But in the non-attorney world if, for example, a check is damaged in the printer or gets wet we do not VOID we just SHRED. And we don't keep track of it.

 

I do understand that law offices deal with trust and escrow and each check has to be accounted for. To account for the checks you decide not to use (myself I would just use them anytime I needed a single check) you will hav eto enter a bogus entry, save, and then VOID it. Use the memo field to show if it is physically in hand or in the shredder.

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7 Comments 7
john-pero
Community Champion

Voiding unused checks

Unless the attorneys where you work have some legal objection why cannot you still use these checks? We handle checks out of order all the time. Boss will take a stack so he can file evictions and maybe does not use them all that day. You will know when the statement comes in the mail what checks actually cleared and as long as you enter the correct check numbers in QB to match what prints or is handwritten...

 

To answer your question, if you wish to physically void the checks you do that and write VOID on them and then hang onto them for 3-7 years depending on other hold requirements for records. But in the non-attorney world if, for example, a check is damaged in the printer or gets wet we do not VOID we just SHRED. And we don't keep track of it.

 

I do understand that law offices deal with trust and escrow and each check has to be accounted for. To account for the checks you decide not to use (myself I would just use them anytime I needed a single check) you will hav eto enter a bogus entry, save, and then VOID it. Use the memo field to show if it is physically in hand or in the shredder.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Voiding unused checks

I'm going to propose a different solution to this question.  I think the original poster is on the right track, since all check numbers in a sequence should be accounted for.  This is something that auditors look for at year-end. 

 

I have seen other suggestions for QuickBooks recommending entering a "dummy" check and immediately voiding it in order to account for a missing number, such as a check that was damaged or accidentally left in the printer.  (It happens to the best of us.)  My suggestion is that, instead of randomly choosing a vendor as the payee on the "dummy" check, set up a vendor named "VOID" so that the payee line will read "VOID" and not some other vendor's name.  It seems cleaner than randomly choosing a vendor.  I'm just running this idea up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes it.

AuroraColonyOR
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

This worked nicely.  Thanks for the insight/idea!  Stay safe and stay healthy! 

BNA1
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

What account would you put the Void Check under?

BNA1
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

what account do i use for the void check

aestone504
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

I put it to Uncatorized Expense, it is rarely used, if ever so it is a quick report I can run when needed. 

Lisa McC
Level 1

Voiding unused checks

When Ive damaged a check by printing something without realizing ive still got checks in the printer, which happens more than I'd like... I open the check register and manually enter the check with the payee name as Void.  This bypasses the need to set up a vendor named "Void" and I’ve set up an expense account in the general ledger named ”void check”.  

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