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

Understanding of debit and credit, posting, and trial balance, is the maximum practical need of the younger workers.

From Wage Earning and Education by Lutz, Rufus Rolla

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

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

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

"We don't take a trial balance but once a year."

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

Taking the trial balance shown above, the following represent the trading account, profit and loss account, Balance sheet. and balance sheet compiled therefrom.

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