Date created: Nov 19, 2020 • Last updated: Feb 24, 2022
What is Account Balance?
Account Balance represents the difference between debits and credits in an account on a company’s general ledger. If debits are larger than credits, the account has a net debit Account Balance. If Credits are larger than debits, the account has a net credit Account Balance.Alternate names: Balance, General Ledger Account Balance
Account Balance Formula
How to calculate Account Balance
In a single day, a store generates a total of $10,000 in new sales (credits), and issues $1,500 in refunds (debits). The store’s revenue account has a net credit balance for the day of $8,500.
Start tracking your Account Balance data
Use Klipfolio PowerMetrics, our free analytics tool, to monitor your data.Get PowerMetrics Free
How to visualize Account Balance?
Visualize your Account Balance by using a summary chart to display the current value, optionally comparing to a previous time period.
Account Balance visualization example
vs previous period
Summary ChartHere's an example of how to visualize your current Account Balance data in comparison to a previous time period or date range.
More about Account Balance
A general ledger records, stores, and summarizes the transactions that take place in a company's accounts. Generally, accounts include assets, liabilities, owner's equity, revenue, and expenses.
Transactions taking place in business accounts are recorded in a general ledger, with an equal debit and credit amount which always keeps the general ledger balanced. This is the function of a double entry accounting system and as a result the following equations will always hold true:
Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity
Net Income = Income - Expenses
Tracking Account Balance helps businesses prepare their financial statements such as the income statement and the balance sheet. Additionally, historical records in a general ledger summarize past transactions and can help file taxes, comply with government regulation, and analyze business trends.