Difference between revisions of "What should I consider at month end?"

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== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
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The following steps are accounting procedures that need to be taken into consideration before embarking a month end procedure (e.g. Bank Reconciliation & Stock Journals etc.).
+
The following steps are accounting procedures that need to be taken into consideration before embarking a month end procedure (e.g. "Bank Reconciliation" & "Stock Journals" etc.).
  
 
There are two stages to performing the month end.
 
There are two stages to performing the month end.
  
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==Stage One==
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== More Information ==
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===Sales Ledger===
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{{Note|title=Note|text=The nominal codes referred to in this article are the defaults that are issued with most systems. Your system may have different codes for the relevant nominal codes.}}
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*All sales invoices and credits have been posted into the system for the accountancy period you are about to close.
 
  
−
{{Note|The sales ledger almost takes care of itself because the sales invoices, credits and most payments are all posted from the other modules of the system, Stock Control, Workshop, Vehicle Sales and Order Processing.}}
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=== Stage One ===
 +
==== {{SL}} ====
 +
*All sales invoices and credits should have been posted into the system for the accounting period you are about to close.
  
−
*All receipts into the business, including monies received through point of sale (tills) have been posted onto the system and split into the appropriate control account.: -
+
{{Note|text='''{{SL}}''' - The {{SL}} almost takes care of itself because the sales invoices, credits and most payments are all posted from the other modules of the system, {{ST}}, {{WS}}, {{VS}} and {{OP}}.}}
  
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*'''Z900 cash'''
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*Ensure all receipts into the business, including monies received through point of sale (tills) have been posted onto the system and split into the appropriate control accounts e.g. : -
−
*'''Z901 cheques'''
 
−
*'''Z902 credit/debit cards'''
 
  
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*The end of day daily takings agrees to the above control accounts and any corrections have been made to balance them.
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;Z900
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See [[How to deal with end of day till corrections]]
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:Cash
 +
;Z901
 +
:Cheques
 +
;Z902
 +
:Credit/debit cards
  
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===Purchase Ledger===
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* During the period, the end of day [[How should I deal with takings?|daily takings]] reports should have been run and balanced to the above control accounts. Any corrections to balance them should also have been made.
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*All purchase invoices, credits and payments have been posted onto the system for the accountancy period you are about to close.
+
See [[How to deal with end of day till corrections]].
  
−
{{Note|For the New vehicle invoices, please ensure you have consulted the the "Vehicle Integration to the nominal ledger" specifically the section "Operations New Vehicles, When The Vehicle Is delivered" because you must reconcile the vehicle sale stock record back to each invoice and perform other crucial checks that will prevent huge amounts of time if they don't balance once they are in the nominal ledger.}}
+
==== {{PL}} ====
 +
*Ensure all purchase invoices, credits and payments have been posted onto the system for the accountancy period you are about to close.
  
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===Nominal Ledger===
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{{Note|text=For New vehicle invoices, please ensure you have consulted the [[Unit integration to nominal ledger]] article, specifically the section: [[Unit integration to nominal ledger#When the vehicle is delivered|Operations New Vehicles - When The Vehicle Is Delivered]]. You must reconcile the vehicle sale stock record back to each invoice and perform other crucial checks that will save huge amounts of time if they do not balance once they are in the {{NL}}.}}
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*Post any journals required for the accountancy period you are closing off i.e. Wages, Expenses, Pre-payments, Accruals, deprecation etc.
 
−
*Perform the Bank Reconciliation and reconcile Z992
 
−
*The banking Journal
 
−
**The receipts into the business are posted to a control centre either Cash,Cheque or Credit/Debit cards. When you lodged the money into the bank we need to post a Cash book Journal to move the value you have banked out of the control accounts and into the bank.
 
−
See [[The Banking Journal]]
 
−
*Using the Bank Reconciliation Programme reconcile Z900,Z901,Z902.
 
  
 +
{{Information|text=Late invoices may be posted after you have closed the period. These will be updated into the next month you close. Please note you may not post into a closed year.}}
  
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===Stage one close off===
+
==== {{NL}} ====
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At this point you are now ready to complete the sales ledger and purchase ledger month end procedure. Do not close the nominal ledger or perform the monthly audit and cash book print outs because stage two may uncover missing invoices and transactions that we may need to post.
+
* Post any journals required for the accountancy period you are closing off i.e., Wages, Expenses, Pre-payments, Accruals, Depreciation etc.
 +
* Post your takings into the bank.
 +
**When you take the takings to the bank you need to journal the appropriate amounts out of the takings centres into your bank account centre, usually {{DataValue|Z992}}.
 +
See [[The banking journal]].
 +
* Perform the [[Reconciling your bank account|Bank Reconciliation]] and reconcile {{DataValue|Z992}}. If you are not using the Platinum [[Reconciling your bank account|Bank Reconciliation]] program you should still check the balance on the bank account centre, usually {{DataValue|Z992}}, against your closing bank statement for the period. Taking into account any uncleared items, they should agree.
  
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==Stage Two==
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==== Stage One Close Off ====
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At this point the sales and purchase ledger transaction have now updated the nominal ledger. We must now perform the vehicle reconciliation and post the necessary journals and balance the control accounts on the balance sheet.
+
At this point you are now ready to complete the {{SL}} and {{PL}} month end procedure. Do not close the {{NL}} or run the Monthly Audit and Cash Book print outs because Stage Two may uncover missing invoices and transactions that you may need to post.
  
−
*Perform the vehicle reconciliation [[Vehicle Integration to Nominal Ledger]]
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=== Stage Two ===
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*Balance the Stock account Z922 and post any stock adjustments.
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At this point the {{SL}} and {{PL}} transactions have now updated the {{NL}}.
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**To achieve this, run a Stock Valuation and check this against Z922.
 
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***If they do not agree then post a correcting journal to bring Z922 in line with the stock valuation. This adjustment is caused because of stock variances. The other side of the journal would be stock adjustments Z923.
 
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*Balance the VAT control Z999 to the VAT reports.
 
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**Run VAT100 changing the dates by click advanced and check the box 5 agrees to the VAT control Z999.
 
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*Balance the Debtors and Creditors back to Z993 and Z994
 
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**Using the debtors and credits that you produced from the sales and purchase ledger month end earlier that will be dated to the end of the month you are closing off, check the balance figure on each of these agree to the apporiate centre in the nominal ledger
 
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**Z994 Sales Control
 
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**Z993 Purchase Control
 
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*Balance the Z900,Z901,Z902
 
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**please check the centres look sensible. Z900 & Z901 should  almost be zero apart from the money that you still have on-site; the tills floats and money not banked. Z902 should only be the transactions that have not his the bank yet.
 
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*Post any transactions that were missing from the sales or purchase ledger that you may have uncovered with the above checks and perform the sales ledger and purchase ledger month end procedure and attached the subsequent print outs to the relevant month end folders.
 
−
*Produce the Profit & Loss and Balance sheet and check over the figures and make sure things are looking in order.
 
  
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===Stage Two Close off===
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* Go to {{Menu|{{NL}}|Trial Balance}}. This will show you the balance on all Nominal centres as at the end of the month you are closing. Refer to these values for the checks described below.
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At this point we have completed the all the necessary checks and the trial balance, profit and loss and balance sheet are all looking satisfactory then we are not ready to complete the month end and perform the section for the Reports & Parameters and the Nominal Ledger, which completes the month procedure.
 
  
 +
{{Tip|text=To see the detail behind any of the values on screen, select the centre then click {{Button|View}}.}}
  
 +
==== Vehicle & Stock Valuation ====
 +
You should now perform the stock and vehicle reconciliations and post any necessary journals to balance the control accounts on the balance sheet.
  
 +
* Perform the vehicle reconciliation and reconcile the Stock of New Vehicles and Stock of Used Vehicles to the vehicle valuation.
 +
** If you are on the automatic cost of sales system; run the [[How do I get a valuation of unit stock?#Valuation at a Date|Vehicle Valuation at a Date]] report and check the balances agree to the nominal balances for Stock of New and Used Vehicles.
 +
** Alternatively please see [[Unit integration to nominal ledger#At the Month End|this]] article to journal your cost of sales.
  
 +
* Balance your Parts Stock Value nominal code, {{DataValue|Z922}} and post any stock adjustments.
 +
** To achieve this, run the [[How can I get a stock valuation at a date?|Stock Valuation at a Date]] report. Check this against nominal centre {{DataValue|Z922}}.
 +
*** If the values do not agree, then post a correcting journal to bring {{DataValue|Z922}} in line with the stock valuation. This adjustment is caused because of stock variances. The other side of the journal would be Stock Adjustments {{DataValue|Z923}}.
 +
** Alternatively please see [[Stock integration to the nominal ledger#Method Two|this]] article to journal your cost of sales if you are not on the automatic cost of sales system.
  
 +
==== Accruals ====
 +
If you are on the automatic cost of sales system, you should check the balances on your Vehicle {{DataValue|Z940}} and Parts {{DataValue|Z920}} Accruals centres.
  
 +
They should represent the value of invoices/credits you are due at the month end for vehicles and goods received by the month end, or the value of invoices/credits that have been posted in the accounting period for vehicles or goods not received until the next period.
  
 +
==== VAT Control Account ====
 +
* If the month you are closing is at the end of a VAT quarter, balance the V.A.T. control centre {{DataValue|Z999}} to the V.A.T. report.
 +
** Run the VAT 100 report for the quarter.
 +
** Check that {{DataPrompt|Box 5}} agrees with the balance on the V.A.T. control {{DataValue|Z999}}.
  
 +
{{Warning|text=If you are not ready to submit your VAT for the quarter do not click {{Button|OK}} to exit the report. See [[How do I run the VAT 100 report?]].}}
 +
 +
{{Information|text=If you are not at the end of a quarter you may specify a date range to check the balance on {{DataValue|Z999}} at that date. Do  not use this method when submitting your VAT Return. Please refer to [[How do I run the VAT 100 report?]] for instructions on how to submit a VAT return.}}
 +
 +
==== Balance Debtors and Creditors ====
 +
 +
* Balance the Debtors and Creditors to nominal centres {{DataValue|Z994}} and {{DataValue|Z993}}.
 +
** Using the Aged Debtors List and Aged Creditors List that you produced  as part of the [[How to process a month end|month end]] process from the {{SL}} and {{PL}}, check the balance on each of these agrees with the appropriate centre in the {{NL}}:
 +
 +
**Aged Debtors List should agree with {{DataValue|Z994}} Sales Control.
 +
**Aged Creditors List should agree with {{DataValue|Z993}} Purchase Control.
 +
 +
* Check your takings centres i.e. {{DataValue|Z900}}, {{DataValue|Z901}}, {{DataValue|Z902}} codes.
 +
**Check the centres look sensible.
 +
** {{DataValue|Z900}} & {{DataValue|Z901}} should almost be zero apart from the money that you still have on-site; the till floats and money not banked.
 +
** {{DataValue|Z902}} should only be the transactions that have not hit the bank yet.
 +
* Post any transactions that were missing from the {{SL}} or {{PL}} that you may have uncovered with the above checks and repeat the {{SL}} and {{PL}} month end procedure. Attach the subsequent print outs to the relevant month end folders.
 +
 +
==== Stage Two Close Off ====
 +
You may now carry on with the [[How to process a month end|month end]] procedures from [[How to process a month end#Reports & Settings|this]] point onward.
 +
 +
* Having done so check the Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet figures are satisfactory.
 +
 +
== At the Year End ==
 +
If this is also the last month of your Financial Year, please make sure you produce an additional copy of these reports as a record of your accounts at the year end:
 +
 +
* {{Menu|{{SL}}|Aged Debtors Listing}}.
 +
** Select the {{Tab|Calculational}} tab.
 +
* Set {{DataPrompt|Ignore Documents Beyond Current Accounting Period}} to {{DataValue|Y}} for Yes.
 +
* Click {{Button|Print}} to print the debt list.
 +
 +
* {{Menu|{{SL}}|Aged Creditors Listing}}.
 +
** Select the {{Tab|Calculational}} tab.
 +
* Set {{DataPrompt|Ignore Documents Beyond Current Accounting Period}} to {{DataValue|Y}} for Yes.
 +
* Click {{Button|Print}} to print the creditors list.
 +
 +
* {{Menu|{{NL}}|Trial Balance}}.
 +
* {{Menu|{{NL}}|Profit & Loss|Run Profit & Loss Report}}.
 +
* {{Menu|{{NL}}|Balance Sheet|Balance Sheet}}.
 +
 +
See [[How do I process a year end?]] for more information.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
*[[Vehicle Integration to Nominal Ledger#At the Month End|Month end Vehicle Integration to Nominal Ledger]].
+
* [[How to process a month end]].
−
*[[Stock Integration to the Nominal Ledger]].
+
* [[Unit integration to nominal ledger#At the Month End|Month end Vehicle Integration to Nominal Ledger]].
−
*[[How to process a month end]].
+
* [[Stock integration to the nominal ledger]].
 +
* [[Reconciling your bank account]]
 +
* [[How should I deal with takings?]]
 +
* [[How do I process a year end?]]
  
−
{{FAQ}}{{KB_Tags|Month, end, journals, accounting, vat, audits, daybook, bank}}{{KB_SL}}{{KB_PL}}{{KB_NL}}{{ZN_Accounts}}
+
{{KB_Tags|month, end, journals, accounting, vat, audits, daybook, bank, reconciliation, reconcile, nominal, trial balance, profit, loss, balance, checks, balance accounts, stock value, vehicle value, thins to check}}
 +
{{FAQ}}{{KB_NL}}{{KB_PL}}{{KB_SL}}{{ZN_Accounts}}

Latest revision as of 13:58, 8 July 2024

Summary

The following steps are accounting procedures that need to be taken into consideration before embarking a month end procedure (e.g. "Bank Reconciliation" & "Stock Journals" etc.).

There are two stages to performing the month end.

More Information

Note: The nominal codes referred to in this article are the defaults that are issued with most systems. Your system may have different codes for the relevant nominal codes.

Stage One

Sales Ledger

  • All sales invoices and credits should have been posted into the system for the accounting period you are about to close.
Sales Ledger - The Sales Ledger almost takes care of itself because the sales invoices, credits and most payments are all posted from the other modules of the system, Stock Control, Workshop, Unit Sales and Order Processing.
  • Ensure all receipts into the business, including monies received through point of sale (tills) have been posted onto the system and split into the appropriate control accounts e.g. : -
Z900
Cash
Z901
Cheques
Z902
Credit/debit cards
  • During the period, the end of day daily takings reports should have been run and balanced to the above control accounts. Any corrections to balance them should also have been made.

See How to deal with end of day till corrections.

Purchase Ledger

  • Ensure all purchase invoices, credits and payments have been posted onto the system for the accountancy period you are about to close.
For New vehicle invoices, please ensure you have consulted the Unit integration to nominal ledger article, specifically the section: Operations New Vehicles - When The Vehicle Is Delivered. You must reconcile the vehicle sale stock record back to each invoice and perform other crucial checks that will save huge amounts of time if they do not balance once they are in the Nominal Ledger.
Late invoices may be posted after you have closed the period. These will be updated into the next month you close. Please note you may not post into a closed year.

Nominal Ledger

  • Post any journals required for the accountancy period you are closing off i.e., Wages, Expenses, Pre-payments, Accruals, Depreciation etc.
  • Post your takings into the bank.
    • When you take the takings to the bank you need to journal the appropriate amounts out of the takings centres into your bank account centre, usually 'Z992'.

See The banking journal.

  • Perform the Bank Reconciliation and reconcile 'Z992'. If you are not using the Platinum Bank Reconciliation program you should still check the balance on the bank account centre, usually 'Z992', against your closing bank statement for the period. Taking into account any uncleared items, they should agree.

Stage One Close Off

At this point you are now ready to complete the Sales Ledger and Purchase Ledger month end procedure. Do not close the Nominal Ledger or run the Monthly Audit and Cash Book print outs because Stage Two may uncover missing invoices and transactions that you may need to post.

Stage Two

At this point the Sales Ledger and Purchase Ledger transactions have now updated the Nominal Ledger.

  • Go to " Nominal Ledger Trial Balance". This will show you the balance on all Nominal centres as at the end of the month you are closing. Refer to these values for the checks described below.
To see the detail behind any of the values on screen, select the centre then click [View].

Vehicle & Stock Valuation

You should now perform the stock and vehicle reconciliations and post any necessary journals to balance the control accounts on the balance sheet.

  • Perform the vehicle reconciliation and reconcile the Stock of New Vehicles and Stock of Used Vehicles to the vehicle valuation.
    • If you are on the automatic cost of sales system; run the Vehicle Valuation at a Date report and check the balances agree to the nominal balances for Stock of New and Used Vehicles.
    • Alternatively please see this article to journal your cost of sales.
  • Balance your Parts Stock Value nominal code, 'Z922' and post any stock adjustments.
    • To achieve this, run the Stock Valuation at a Date report. Check this against nominal centre 'Z922'.
      • If the values do not agree, then post a correcting journal to bring 'Z922' in line with the stock valuation. This adjustment is caused because of stock variances. The other side of the journal would be Stock Adjustments 'Z923'.
    • Alternatively please see this article to journal your cost of sales if you are not on the automatic cost of sales system.

Accruals

If you are on the automatic cost of sales system, you should check the balances on your Vehicle 'Z940' and Parts 'Z920' Accruals centres.

They should represent the value of invoices/credits you are due at the month end for vehicles and goods received by the month end, or the value of invoices/credits that have been posted in the accounting period for vehicles or goods not received until the next period.

VAT Control Account

  • If the month you are closing is at the end of a VAT quarter, balance the V.A.T. control centre 'Z999' to the V.A.T. report.
    • Run the VAT 100 report for the quarter.
    • Check that "Box 5" agrees with the balance on the V.A.T. control 'Z999'.
If you are not ready to submit your VAT for the quarter do not click [OK] to exit the report. See How do I run the VAT 100 report?.
If you are not at the end of a quarter you may specify a date range to check the balance on 'Z999' at that date. Do not use this method when submitting your VAT Return. Please refer to How do I run the VAT 100 report? for instructions on how to submit a VAT return.

Balance Debtors and Creditors

  • Balance the Debtors and Creditors to nominal centres 'Z994' and 'Z993'.
    • Aged Debtors List should agree with 'Z994' Sales Control.
    • Aged Creditors List should agree with 'Z993' Purchase Control.
  • Check your takings centres i.e. 'Z900', 'Z901', 'Z902' codes.
    • Check the centres look sensible.
    • 'Z900' & 'Z901' should almost be zero apart from the money that you still have on-site; the till floats and money not banked.
    • 'Z902' should only be the transactions that have not hit the bank yet.
  • Post any transactions that were missing from the Sales Ledger or Purchase Ledger that you may have uncovered with the above checks and repeat the Sales Ledger and Purchase Ledger month end procedure. Attach the subsequent print outs to the relevant month end folders.

Stage Two Close Off

You may now carry on with the month end procedures from this point onward.

  • Having done so check the Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet figures are satisfactory.

At the Year End

If this is also the last month of your Financial Year, please make sure you produce an additional copy of these reports as a record of your accounts at the year end:

  • " Sales Ledger Aged Debtors Listing".
    • Select the [Calculational] tab.
  • Set "Ignore Documents Beyond Current Accounting Period" to 'Y' for Yes.
  • Click [Print] to print the debt list.
  • " Sales Ledger Aged Creditors Listing".
    • Select the [Calculational] tab.
  • Set "Ignore Documents Beyond Current Accounting Period" to 'Y' for Yes.
  • Click [Print] to print the creditors list.

See How do I process a year end? for more information.

See also


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Keywords AND Misspellings
month, end, journals, accounting, vat, audits, daybook, bank, reconciliation, reconcile, nominal, trial balance, profit, loss, balance, checks, balance accounts, stock value, vehicle value, thins to check
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