Bank reconciliation statement — format and template
The bank reconciliation statement (BRS) reconciles your ledger's bank balance with the bank statement balance. Standard format, common reconciling items, and a downloadable Excel template.
A Bank Reconciliation Statement (BRS) is prepared periodically (usually monthly) to identify differences between the bank balance in the accounting ledger (cash book) and the balance shown on the bank statement. Every reconciling item — outstanding cheque, deposit in transit, bank charge, interest credit, error — has a home on the BRS.
Step-by-step
As at the period-end date.
Deposits recorded in your books but not yet on the statement; interest credits the bank has posted but your books haven't.
Cheques issued but not yet cashed; bank fees the bank has debited but your books haven't.
Bank errors stay on the BRS until the bank fixes them; ledger errors get a journal entry now.
If both sides tie, the reconciliation is complete.
FAQs
Monthly is standard. Weekly for high-volume accounts.
Bank reconciliation is a specific type of account reconciliation, matching the ledger to the bank statement. Account reconciliation is the broader control (intercompany, GST, credit card, etc.).
Not statutorily, but auditors and lenders often ask for it during due diligence.