reconciliation
n. C / Un. the process of checking two sets of records to make sure they match and are correct. In business, you do this to ensure the money in your bank account matches your own records.
n. the process of ensuring that two sets of records, such as a bank statement and a general ledger, are in agreement. Often involves identifying and explaining any discrepancies between the balances.
The accountant performs a bank reconciliation every Friday.
Monthly reconciliation is essential for detecting errors or unauthorized transactions before they affect the final financial reports.
The auditor requested a full reconciliation of the accounts payable ledger to explain the significant variance between the reported expenses and the actual cash outflows.
From Middle English reconciliacioun (“act of reconciling; state of accord or harmony;”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman reconciliaciun, reconsiliacion, reconsiliaciun, and Middle French reconciliation, reconsiliacion, reconsiliation (“act of reconciling; result of this act; act of bringing about agreement or harmony; reconsecration of a desecrated place”) (modern French réconciliation), and from their Latin etymon reconciliātiō (“reinstatement, renewal, restoration; reconciliation”), from reconciliāre + -tiō.
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance or report.