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Bookkeeping › Bank Reconciliation

What is a direct debit and how does it appear in reconciliation?

Beginner

Answer

A direct debit is an instruction letting a supplier collect variable or fixed amounts from the business's bank account. It often appears first on the bank statement, so it must be entered in the cash book (credit bank, debit the relevant expense/payable) during reconciliation.
Utility direct debit 120: Cr Bank 120; Dr Utilities 120.
Real-world example A monthly insurance direct debit shows on the statement first and is then posted to the cash book.

Common follow-ups: Which record shows it first? | What entry updates the cash book?