Add an opening balance from a trial balance report

To set up opening balances from a trial balance.

  1. Print your trial balance report "as of" the date that you plan to keep accurate records in Buildium. If your trial balance is produced on a date range, calculate the total "as of" that date.

    For example, let's say you plan to keep accurate records as of January 1. To prepare, generate a report as of December 31.

    Your report will look something like this:

    Trial Balance as of December 31

    Asset Accounts receivable 5000
    Asset Operating bank account 2400
    Asset Security deposit bank account 1000
    Liability Security deposit liability 1000
    Income Rent income 7400
    Expense Accounts payable 2000
    Expense Repairs expense 1500
    Expense Other expense 1000
  2. Most accounts that appear on your report will be entered using a general journal entry. Some accounts will be entered using other steps. On your printed copy, circle or highlight the accounts receivable, accounts payable, and any amounts that are tied to lease or ownership account ledgers.

    Below, we highlighted Rent income because part of that total is tied to accounts receivable. Other expense is highlighted because part of that total is tied to accounts payable.

    Trial Balance as of December 31

    Asset Accounts receivable 5000
    Asset Operating bank account 2400
    Asset Security deposit bank account 1000
    Liability Security deposit liability 1000
    Income Rent income 7400
    Expense Accounts payable 2500
    Expense Repairs expense 1500
    Expense Other expense 1000
  3. Create a general journal entry as of your as of date in Buildium. This transaction will contain data for everything that isn't highlighted. When creating your transaction, use opening balance equity to balance, as needed. see "General journal entries"

      Debit Credit
    Operating bank account 2400  
    Security deposit bank account 1000  
    Rent income   2400
    Opening balance equity   1000
    Total 3400 3400
  4. To enter amounts for accounts receivable, add a charge. see "Entering beginning tenant and association owner balances"

    For example, the $5000 in rent income and $5000 in accounts receivable are a debit and credit of the same charge. By adding charges to record the outstanding rents, these totals will be added to our opening balances.

  5. To enter amounts for accounts payable, add a bill. see "Bills"

    For example, the $2500 in expenses and $2500 in accounts payable are a debit and credit of the same bills. By adding bills to record the outstanding expenses, these totals will be added to our opening balances.

  6. To record the security deposit liability, issue a credit on the tenant's ledger. see "Entering beginning tenant and association owner balances"

 

Article #: 111184

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