Definition
The term bank charges and fees refers to the costs applied to an account balance for services such as bank checks, non-sufficient-funds (NSF) check processing, safe deposit box rentals, and overdraft protection. Bank charges and fees are typically identified as part of the bank account reconciliation process.
Explanation
At the end of each accounting period, companies go through a bank statement reconciliation process to understand any differences between the company's record of the account balance and that appearing on the statement issued by the bank.
The reconciliation process involves comparing the company's account balance per the statement received from the bank versus the company's record of cash in the account. Oftentimes the company will not be aware of bank charges and fees until a statement is received each month. Companies have the ability to predict recurring monthly charges, such as account maintenance fees. However, they may not be fully aware of specific charges such as fees associated with providing overdraft protection and checks deposited with non-sufficient-funds.
This reconciliation process is part of the accounting cycle, allowing the company to accurately report cash, a current asset, on its balance sheet.
Example
Company A recorded $90,000 in cash deposits made to its general checking account in the month of June, and withdrawals of $80,000. When the June bank statement was received, it indicated $300 in bank charges and fees associated with checks with insufficient funds. Company A's ending bank balance is calculated as follows:
Bank Account Balance (Starting Balance) | $102,000 |
Add: Deposits | $90,000 |
Less: Withdrawals | $80,000 |
Less: Bank Charges and Fees | $300 |
Bank Account Balance (Ending Balance) | $111,700 |
Related Terms
The term accounting cycle refers to the framework and processes followed in each accounting period. The accounting cycle begins with the identification of events and transactions, and ends with the after-close trial balance.
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The term deposits in transit refers to cash that has been recorded as received by a company, sent to their bank account, but not yet posted to the account's statement by the bank. Deposits in transit are typically identified as part of the bank account reconciliation process.Moneyzine EditorJanuary 15th, 2024- The term outstanding checks refers to those checks that have been recorded by a company as being written, but not yet cleared and posted to the account's statement by the company's bank. Outstanding checks are typically identified as part of the bank account reconciliation process.Moneyzine EditorSeptember 20th, 2023
The financial accounting term bank credits refers to deposits made to an account such as interest income on a certificate of deposit, or the collection of notes payable. Bank credits are typically identified as part of the monthly bank account reconciliation process.Moneyzine EditorJanuary 8th, 2024
The term act of bankruptcy refers to an action taken by a debtor that becomes the foundation for a creditor to file a petition in court to declare the debtor bankrupt. While there are many acts of bankruptcy that can become the basis for this filing; in some jurisdictions, it can be as simple as failure to pay an obligation on the date it is due.Moneyzine EditorJanuary 4th, 2024
