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Yo_Be_Low
January 3, 2024
Solved

How do I fix or enter an opening balance in QuickBooks Online if there's no opening balance entry in the account register?

  • January 3, 2024
  • 8 replies
  • 133 views
I have a bank account that was reconciled with the wrong opening balance. How can I change the opening balance? I don't see a mechanism for this when editing the account in Chart of Accounts (or anywhere else).
Best answer by katelynner

Fixing an opening balance in QuickBooks Online works differently depending on whether an opening balance entry already exists.

 

If an opening balance entry already exists

  1. Go to Accounting, then Chart of Accounts.
  2. Find the account, then select View register.
  3. Look for the entry with "Opening Balance Equity" in the Account column, and note its date and balance.
  4. Compare that balance to your bank statement or your bank's website for the same date.
  5. If they don't match, select the entry to expand it, edit the date and amount, then select Save.

 

If there's no opening balance entry at all

This usually means one wasn't entered when the account was created. If you haven't reconciled this account yet, you can add it with a journal entry:

  1. Select + New, then Journal entry.
  2. Enter a date before the oldest transaction in the account, this becomes your opening balance date.
  3. On the first row, select the account you're entering the opening balance for in the Account column.
  4. Add a note in the Description field so you can identify this entry later.
  5. On the second row, select Opening Balance Equity in the Account column.
  6. Using your bank statement, enter the balance as of your chosen date, with matching debit and credit amounts based on the account type.
  7. Select Save and close.

 

Reconcile this journal entry even if you haven't started reconciling the account itself, so it doesn't show up unreconciled later.

 

If you've already reconciled this account, adding a missing opening balance after the fact is more involved and can affect past reconciliations. This is a good point to loop in your accountant or a ProAdvisor, since the right fix depends on your specific reconciliation history.

 

Still have questions on where to begin? Let us know what your reconciliation history is like and what changes you are needing to make and we can help guide you in the right direction.

 

8 replies

F
FateCandylaneTQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
January 3, 2024

Hello there, Yo_Be_Low. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention and I'm here to help correct the opening balance, so you can reconcile the next month's statement efficiently.

 

Each time you start reconciling an account, you review the beginning balance in QuickBooks. It's the amount in the account at the beginning of the time period you're reviewing.

 

The beginning balance amount should match what's on your bank statement for the same start day. That being said, you can fix the opening balance by entering the balance of your real-life bank account.

 

You need to set the opening balance at the beginning of a bank statement. Then, you can follow these steps to review it:

 

  1. Select the Accounting menu, then select Chart of Accounts.
  2. Find the account on the list.
  3. Select View register.
  4. Search for the opening balance entry. It should have "Opening Balance Equity" in the Account column.
  5. Take note of the date and balance.
  6. Next, you need to compare the opening balance with your real-life account.
  7. Sign in to your bank's website, or find your bank statement.
  8. Check the account's balance for the same day as the opening balance in QuickBooks.
  9. Compare the two balances.

 

If the opening balance in QuickBooks doesn't match your bank records, here's how to modify it:

 

  1. In QuickBooks, select the opening balance entry to expand the view.
  2. Edit the date, then the amount. If needed, select Edit to make your changes. 
  3. Select Save.

 

If they match, you can proceed to Step 3 in this article: Fix issues the first time you reconcile an account in QuickBooks Online.

 

Once you fix the opening balance, you can start reconciling the next month's bank statement.

 

I'll always be available in this thread, so you can reply anytime in the comments below if there's anything else you need assistance with. Just keep me posted and I'll make sure to get you covered. Keep safe and have a good one!

Y
Yo_Be_LowAuthor
January 3, 2024

There isn't an opening balance entry in the register. If there was, I'd just change it.

Nicole_N
Nicole_NQuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team
January 4, 2024

I appreciate you for updating us on this, @Yo_Be_Low. 

 

It seems like you forgot to enter an opening balance when you created an account. If so, we'll need to manually enter an opening balance. First, let's create a journal entry to record it. 

 

Utilize this approach only if you haven't reconciled the account yet. If you've already reconciled it, or have any questions, it's advisable to contact your accountant. This process can be complex, and they are equipped to manage the subsequent actions. If you're not affiliated with one, we can help you find a ProAdvisor.

 

Here's how to create a journal entry:
 

  1. Go to the + New button, and select Journal entry.
  2. Enter a date that comes before the oldest transaction in the account. This will be the opening balance date.
  3. On the first row of the Account column, click the dropdown menu to choose the account you want to enter the opening balance.
  4. Add a note in the Description field so you know what the journal entry is for.
  5. On the second row of the Account column, select the dropdown and choose Opening Balance Equity.
  6. Use your bank statements to enter the balance of your real-life account on the date you picked as the opening balance. You'll need to enter both a debit and a credit to keep things accurate. Enter the debits and credits based on the type of account you entered on the first row.
  7. When you're ready, select Save and Close.
     

Please know that it's important to reconcile the journal entry, even if you haven't reconciled the account yet. This will prevent it from appearing in a future reconciliation. Refer to this article that details the process: What to do if you didn't enter an opening balance in QuickBooks Online.

 

After creating a journal entry, the opening balance is reconciled in your account, and QuickBooks won't include it in future reconciliations. This should balance your accounts, and you can proceed with the regular steps to reconcile the account.


I'm adding this article to learn what to review so you can start reconciling: Fix issues for accounts you've reconciled in the past in QuickBooks Online.


Never hesitate to get back to us if you have further questions about entering an opening balance in QuickBooks. The Community team is all right here to help you anytime.  

katelynner
katelynnerCommunity ManagerAnswer
Community Manager
August 19, 2026

Fixing an opening balance in QuickBooks Online works differently depending on whether an opening balance entry already exists.

 

If an opening balance entry already exists

  1. Go to Accounting, then Chart of Accounts.
  2. Find the account, then select View register.
  3. Look for the entry with "Opening Balance Equity" in the Account column, and note its date and balance.
  4. Compare that balance to your bank statement or your bank's website for the same date.
  5. If they don't match, select the entry to expand it, edit the date and amount, then select Save.

 

If there's no opening balance entry at all

This usually means one wasn't entered when the account was created. If you haven't reconciled this account yet, you can add it with a journal entry:

  1. Select + New, then Journal entry.
  2. Enter a date before the oldest transaction in the account, this becomes your opening balance date.
  3. On the first row, select the account you're entering the opening balance for in the Account column.
  4. Add a note in the Description field so you can identify this entry later.
  5. On the second row, select Opening Balance Equity in the Account column.
  6. Using your bank statement, enter the balance as of your chosen date, with matching debit and credit amounts based on the account type.
  7. Select Save and close.

 

Reconcile this journal entry even if you haven't started reconciling the account itself, so it doesn't show up unreconciled later.

 

If you've already reconciled this account, adding a missing opening balance after the fact is more involved and can affect past reconciliations. This is a good point to loop in your accountant or a ProAdvisor, since the right fix depends on your specific reconciliation history.

 

Still have questions on where to begin? Let us know what your reconciliation history is like and what changes you are needing to make and we can help guide you in the right direction.

 

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