.svg)
Have you encountered challenges with reconciliation that could have been resolved through automated solutions? Reconciliation plays a vital role in the accounting process by helping verify that the accounts align with underlying documentation and identifying discrepancies. Bank reconciliation is the most fundamental form, involving a review to ensure all bank transactions are accurately recorded in your accounting software. Typically conducted monthly, estimates suggest that businesses spend between 10 and 20 hours each month on reconciliation tasks if they do not use automated processes.
While bank reconciliation is often the most recognized form, there are numerous other important reconciliation methods that play a crucial role in the overall accounting process. For example, interim reconciliation, customer reconciliation, vendor reconciliation, and payment reconciliation contribute to a more comprehensive verification of financial records.
This article will delve into various types of reconciliation solutions and how the reconciliation process can be streamlined through automation. This insight is particularly relevant for accountants, controllers, and finance departments seeking to enhance efficiency and ensure accuracy in their accounting work.
Interim Reconciliation
Interim accounts serve as temporary accounts for expense and income items when immediate classification decisions cannot be made. This provides flexibility in the accounting process, allowing items to be transferred to final accounts at a later date. Interim accounts may include various forms, such as prepaid expenses and intercompany accounts, offering a structured approach to managing transactions that require further evaluation before permanent classification.
Customer Reconciliation
Customer reconciliation involves comparing your records against customer accounting data to ensure consistency. The goal is to verify that the amounts billed to customers match what they have paid, with no discrepancies or outstanding items. This process may include reviewing balances, invoices, payments, or credit notes and is crucial for maintaining accuracy in customer accounts and tracking outstanding receivables.
Vendor Reconciliation
Regular vendor reconciliation is essential for internal control, improving liquidity management, and reducing errors in accounting. This process compares your records with vendor invoices and payments to ensure everything is accurate. The aim is to confirm that all purchases and payments are correctly recorded and that no outstanding items or errors exist.
Payment Reconciliation
Payment reconciliation is important for confirming that all customer payments are accurately recorded in the accounting records. This process involves comparing bank statements with recorded income in the accounting system. It requires reviewing payments to ensure all transactions match and identifying discrepancies, such as missing or incorrect payments.
Automated Reconciliation Solutions
Aritma Control is a solution that provides companies with complex structures full control and flexibility in the reconciliation process. It automates the reconciliation of multiple accounts on a single platform, regardless of the banks and systems in use. With flexible access control, users can log in without needing authorization, and specific reconciliation rules can be easily established. The solution also handles reconciliations in various currencies and accounts for exchange gains and losses (Agio and Disagio).
At Aritma, we have been experts in automation since the early 1990s. Discover how OSM Thome has enhanced its financial processes using Aritma Control for increased efficiency. Contact us to learn more about how we can optimize your company's reconciliation processes.
.png)
