> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bowbudget.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Verify an account's balance

> Check that an account in Bow matches your bank: posted, unposted and pending transactions, verifying a balance and finding a difference.

Verifying a balance compares an account in Bow with your bank, so missing or duplicate transactions don't go unnoticed. Other apps call this reconciling. Verify your bank and card accounts about once a week.

## Posted, unposted and pending

Each transaction in Spending and on an account's screen shows where it stands with the bank:

| Mark | Meaning |
| - | - |
| Green checkmark | **Posted.** Your bank has finished it. |
| Empty circle | **Unposted.** It's in Bow, but your bank hasn't posted it yet. |
| Clock | **Pending.** Your bank lists it as pending. |
| Lock | **Verified.** Posted and locked by a finished Verify Balance. |

Transactions from bank sync arrive posted and count right away, even ones waiting for you to review. Ones you enter start unposted: once your bank shows one, swipe right on it and tap **Mark Posted**, or turn on **Posted** in the transaction.

The top of the account adds it up: **Posted Balance** plus **Unposted Balance** equals **Total Balance**. Total Balance is what Accounts shows and what your budget uses. Charges your bank lists as pending, but that you haven't added, sit under Pending and aren't in any of them.

## Verify a balance

**1. Open the account**

On Accounts, tap the account, then tap **Verify Balance**.

**2. Compare with your bank**

Compare the Posted Balance with your bank app's current balance. If it matches, tap **Yes, It Matches**.

**3. Enter your bank's balance if it doesn't**

Tap **No, Enter Bank Balance** and type your bank's current balance. Use the current balance, not the available balance, and leave out pending charges. For a credit card, enter what you owe now, not your available credit.

**4. Find the difference**

Tap **Continue**.

For an account linked to your bank, Bow compares it with the balance your bank last reported, leaving out what's pending there. If they match, tap **Looks Good**. If they're apart, tap **Find the Difference**, or **Enter Updated Balance** if your bank has newer activity.

## Find the difference

Unposted transactions are listed first, each with a switch. Turn one on once your bank shows it as posted. When the difference is zero, tap **Finish**.

Bow suggests what to try when one thing explains the difference: transactions that may have posted, ones your bank may not have yet, a duplicate, or a purchase entered as money in. For a linked account, **Not from your bank** lists posted entries your bank hasn't sent.

If you can't find it, Bow can add a balance adjustment for what's left: tap **Adjustment and Finish**, then **Add Adjustment and Finish**.

> [!WARNING]
>
> A balance adjustment isn't spending from an envelope, but on a bank or cash account it changes Ready to Assign by the same amount. Check for missing or duplicate transactions first.

## After you verify

Every posted transaction is locked and shows a lock. Changing a verified transaction's amount or account means verifying the balance again.


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