How Often Should You Reconcile Your Bank Statements?

Let me paint a picture. 

It’s Monday morning. You’re sipping your favorite hot beverage, ready to tackle the week, and you open your bank account just to “have a quick look.” Something’s... off. That deposit you swear you made last week is nowhere to be found. That vendor you paid twice by mistake still hasn’t refunded. That subscription you canceled two months ago is still draining you. 

Cue the internal screaming. 

This is where bank reconciliation becomes your business’s unsung hero. And yet—most business owners either ignore it, delay it, or don't even know what it is. 

Wait, What Is Bank Reconciliation, Anyway? 

Think of it like this: Your accounting records (what you think is happening with your money) and your bank statement (what’s actually happening) need to agree. Reconciliation is the process of making those two things match up—line by line, penny for penny. 

Sometimes they’re best friends. Other times, total strangers. 

So… How Often Should You Reconcile? 

Short answer: Monthly, at the very least. 
Longer answer: Weekly, if you want to sleep better. 

Here’s the thing—reconciliation isn’t just about tidying up after the fact. It’s about catching issues before they snowball. Fraud, double charges, missing income, bank errors—they don’t wait until tax season to cause problems. Neither should you. 

“But My Bank Feeds Into My Software. Isn’t That Enough?” 

Ah, the automation trap. Yes, your accounting software might sync transactions from your bank account, and that’s convenient. But convenience doesn’t equal accuracy. Banks can duplicate entries, software can miscategorize, and automation doesn’t ask questions when things look weird. 

I do. That’s why reconciliation isn’t just pressing buttons—it’s reviewing, questioning, confirming. Humans spot what machines ignore. 

Let’s Talk Damage Control vs. Prevention 

Reconciling once a year is damage control. Reconciling monthly is maintenance. Reconciling weekly is proactive financial leadership. 

Imagine catching a $300 error this week vs. discovering it six months later, buried in a haystack of transactions. One feels like control, the other feels like chaos. I prefer control, thanks. 

Real Talk: This Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Awareness 

You don’t need to become a bookkeeper. (That’s my job.) But knowing when to check your numbers is part of being a business owner. When you reconcile regularly, you start to see patterns, catch mistakes, and make better decisions. Most importantly—you stay in the driver’s seat of your finances. 

Final Thought from Your Reconciliation-Obsessed Bookkeeper 

If your books haven’t been reconciled in a while, don’t panic, and don’t ghost them either. Start fresh this month. Build a habit. Or better yet—hire someone who lives for this stuff, because peace of mind isn’t just a feeling. It’s a spreadsheet that actually adds up. 

This information should never be taken as advice. Please talk to your bookkeeping and tax business professionals to discuss your individual situation. By the way, we’d love to partner with you on that! Give us a call or schedule your no-obligation consultation today. Click here to book a call.