CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning LESSON 6-4 Finding and Correcting Errors on the Work Sheet

CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning CORRECTING ACCOUNTING ERRORS ON A WORK SHEET Some errors in accounting records are not found until a work sheet is prepared Many times this is found when the work sheet’s trial balance does not balance due to: Incorrect posting Transferring of information from the ledgers to the trial balance incorrectly Recording adjustments incorrectly Adding columns incorrectly Extending amounts to the balance sheet and income statement columns incorrectly Errors found must be corrected before moving on Correct the errors by erasing the mistake and fixing it 2 LESSON 6-4

CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning CHECKING FOR TYPICAL ERRORS Listed below are the four most typical errors: 1.The difference is 1 ($.01, $.10, $1 or $10). Error is most likely addition (add the columns again) 2.The difference can be divided evenly by 2. (Ex: the difference between the two columns is $48). Look for a trial balance amount of $24 and make sure it was put in the correct column (debit not credit) If the error is not found, check the ledger and journal entries to make sure that it was not recorded in the wrong column. 3.The difference is divisible by 9 (Ex: the difference between the two columns is $45). Look for transposed numbers (Ex: $45 instead of $54) or a slide ($12 is recorded as $120) 4.The difference is an omitted amount Look for an amount equal to the difference 3 LESSON 6-4

CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning 4 LESSON 6-4 CORRECTING AN ERROR IN POSTING TO THE WRONG ACCOUNT page Draw a line through the entire incorrect entry. Recalculate the account balance and correct the work sheet. 2 Correct entry 1 Incorrect entry 2.Record the posting in the correct account. Recalculate the account balance, and correct the work sheet.

CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning 5 LESSON 6-4 CORRECTING AN INCORRECT AMOUNT page Draw a line through the incorrect amount. 2.Write the correct amount just above the correction in the same space. 3.Recalculate the account balance, and correct the account balance on the work sheet.

CENTURY 21 ACCOUNTING © 2009 South-Western, Cengage Learning 6 LESSON 6-4 CORRECTING AN AMOUNT POSTED TO THE WRONG COLUMN 46 page Recalculate the account balance, and correct the work sheet. 5.Record the posting in the correct amount column. 4.Draw a line through the incorrect item in the account