reconcile accounts
/ˈrek.ən.saɪl əˈkaʊnts/
Meaning
To reconcile accounts means to compare two sets of financial records—usually an internal ledger and an external bank statement—to ensure they agree and are accurate. This process is essential for identifying errors, fraud, or discrepancies in corporate accounting. The tone is highly professional, technical, and precise.
Examples
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Our finance department must reconcile accounts at the end of every fiscal quarter.
Our finance department must reconcile accounts at the end of every fiscal quarter.
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It took the accountant three days to reconcile accounts after the system migration.
It took the accountant three days to reconcile accounts after the system migration.
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We need to reconcile accounts to explain the discrepancy in our cash flow statement.
We need to reconcile accounts to explain the discrepancy in our cash flow statement.
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The software automatically helps businesses reconcile accounts with their bank feeds.
The software automatically helps businesses reconcile accounts with their bank feeds.
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Before submitting the tax return, the auditor must thoroughly reconcile accounts.
Before submitting the tax return, the auditor must thoroughly reconcile accounts.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The accountant reconciled the accounts to the bank statement.
✓ The accountant reconciled the accounts with the bank statement.
In business English, we reconcile one set of financial records 'with' another, rather than 'to' another.
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✗ She spent the afternoon to reconcile accounts.
✓ She spent the afternoon reconciling accounts.
The verb 'spend [time]' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not a to-infinitive.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The main task of our junior bookkeeper is to ___ at the end of each month.
💡 To compare financial records and ensure they match.
Show answer
reconcile accounts
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If you do not regularly ___, you might miss unauthorized transactions.
💡 Check internal ledgers against bank statements.
Show answer
reconcile accounts