trial balance

American  

noun

Bookkeeping.

• trial balances
  plural

1. a statement of all the open debit and credit items, made preliminary to balancing a double-entry ledger.

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trial balance British  

noun

1. accounting a statement of all the debit and credit balances in the ledger of a double-entry system, drawn up to test their equality

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• trial balances
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of trial balance

First recorded in 1830–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trial balance

It should be observed, however, that the test supplied by the trial balance is a purely mechanical one, and does not prove the absolute accuracy of the ledger as 227 a record of transactions.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 "Bohemia" to "Borgia, Francis" by Various

I even thought I comprehended the nature of Mr. Whippleton's sudden illness when I showed him my trial balance.

From Desk and Debit or, The Catastrophes of a Clerk by Oliver Optic

Such a list is called a trial balance, an example of which is given below.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 "Bohemia" to "Borgia, Francis" by Various

The trial balance to-night developed a shortage of $1.22.

From V. V.'s Eyes by Henry Sydnor Harrison

Wishing to discuss some points in the trial balance of the receiver's accountant, Harwood entered and found Bassett with his hat on, slowly pacing the floor.

From A Hoosier Chronicle by F. C. (Frederick Coffay) Yohn

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