Trial Balance Overview

Last reviewed: June 9, 2026

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On this page

The Trial Balance report shows starting balance, period debits, period credits, and ending balance by account for a selected date range.

What this report is for

Use Trial Balance to verify account activity across a date range and review whether period debits and credits balance.

The report is read-only. It does not post entries, close periods, or change balances.

Screen path

Dashboard > Finance > Reports > Trial Balance

Report controls

Control Use
Start Start date for the report. Defaults to 30 days before the current date.
End End date for the report. Defaults to the current date.
Generate Runs the report for the selected dates.
Copy for Excel Copies the generated report.
Print Prints the generated report.

Both dates are required. The start date cannot be after the end date.

Report columns

Column What it shows
Acct # Account number.
Description Account description.
Type Account type.
Starting Bal Calculated starting balance as of the start date.
Debits Debit activity in the selected date range.
Credits Credit activity in the selected date range.
Ending Bal Starting balance plus period activity.

The footer shows totals for starting balance, debits, credits, and ending balance.

Balance warning

If total period debits and total period credits do not match within the report tolerance, PAX shows a warning that period debits and credits do not balance.

The warning means the selected period activity should be reviewed before relying on the report.

What happens behind the scenes

Opening Trial Balance does not change records.

When Generate is selected, PAX:

  • Finds the fiscal period that contains the start date.
  • Reads fiscal opening balances for that period.
  • Adds activity from the fiscal period start up to the report start date to calculate starting balances.
  • Reads journal entry debit and credit activity from the selected date range.
  • Calculates ending balances using debit convention.

Troubleshooting

Start date cannot be after end date

Likely cause: The selected start date is later than the selected end date.

Safe fix: Correct the date range and select Generate again.

Contact support if: The dates are correct but PAX still rejects the report.

Period debits and credits do not balance

Likely cause: The report found unequal period debit and credit totals.

Safe fix: Review Journal Entries Overview and General Ledger Overview for the period before posting any correction.

Contact support if: The underlying entries appear balanced but the report still warns.

An account balance looks wrong

Likely cause: The starting balance may include fiscal opening balance plus activity before the report start date.

Safe fix: Compare the account to the General Ledger for the same date range and review the containing fiscal period.

Contact support if: The General Ledger and Trial Balance disagree for the same account and date range.

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