trial balance

American  

noun

Bookkeeping.

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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Etymology

Origin of trial balance

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

"At the end of the year we will make out a trial balance together," he added.

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

In fact, I considered myself as competent to handle the Florina as I was to make out a trial balance.

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

As he said, he wanted to settle his accounts and take his trial balance, and the presence of another person might be disturbing to that process.

From Atlantis by Seltzer, Adele Szold

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

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

These influences cannot yet be weighed and known—not until account has been taken of all the factors in the world's life problem, the grand totals cast up and the trial balance made.

From Studies in the Poetry of Italy, I. Roman by Miller, Frank Justus