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Investigate bookkeeping mismatches safely
An independent workflow guide for collecting evidence before changing accounting records.
STEP 01
Identify the exact product and context
Record the product edition, country context, reporting period and user role. Use the official documentation for that product; instructions for another edition may not apply. Capture the exact message and what you were doing when the issue appeared.
STEP 02
Preserve the reconciliation evidence
Keep relevant statement dates, opening and closing balances, transaction references and the report settings. Compare the same period and basis. Do not force a balance with a new adjustment merely to remove the visible difference.
STEP 03
Separate duplicate imports from missing entries
Look for repeated bank-feed records, transfers represented twice, date filters and transactions awaiting review. Document each suspected cause. Have the responsible bookkeeper or accountant approve changes that affect categorisation, reconciliation or reported figures.
STEP 04
Make one controlled correction
Export or preserve the relevant records under your business policy, record the authorised change and rerun the same comparison. Keep an audit note explaining why it was made. If permissions or product availability differ, use official support rather than bypassing access controls.
Choose the right next step
- Report mismatch: compare dates, filters and accounting basis before editing transactions.
- Duplicate suspicion: match references and amounts, then obtain approval for correction.
- Country or product uncertainty: verify supported options directly with Intuit or your adviser.
Worked example
A monthly comparison shows a difference of ₹5,000. The reviewer finds a transfer represented on both sides of an import and records the evidence for the accountant. They do not add a balancing expense just to make the report agree.