Accounts Payable & Receivable › Reconciliations
What is a sub-ledger to general-ledger reconciliation?
BeginnerAnswer
It confirms that the detailed sub-ledger (e.g., the AP or AR aging, which lists every open invoice) totals to the single control-account balance in the general ledger. Differences arise from journals posted directly to the control account, timing, or posting errors, and must be investigated so the detail supports the GL.
AP sub-ledger total: 218,400
GL AP control: 218,900
Difference 500 = manual GL journal not in sub-ledger -> correct.Real-world example A month-end AP reconciliation ties the vendor aging to the GL, catching a $500 direct journal that bypassed the sub-ledger.