Track check payments with a proper lifecycle that correctly reflects your bank balance. Checks go through Issued → Cleared (or Voided), using an intermediate Checks Payable account.
How Check Payments Work
Issuing a Check
When you pay a supplier bill or expense by check:
- A check voucher record is created with status Issued.
- The accounting entry debits the payable/expense and credits Checks Payable (2080).
- Your bank balance is not affected yet — the money hasn't left your account.
Clearing a Check
When the check actually clears the bank:
- Go to Accounting → Check Register.
- Find the issued check and click Clear.
- Enter the clearing date.
- The system debits Checks Payable and credits your bank account — reducing your bank balance.
Voiding a Check
If a check needs to be cancelled (owner only):
- Click Void on an issued check.
- The original journal entry is reversed, restoring the payable or expense.
- The check is marked as voided and cannot be used again.
Check Register
The Check Register page shows all checks with:
- Check number, date, payee, amount
- Status badge (Issued, Cleared, Voided)
- Summary stats: total issued, cleared, and outstanding amounts
- Filter by status, date range, and payee
Checks from Disbursement Vouchers
When a disbursement voucher is paid by check and released, one check for the voucher's full amount is added to the register automatically — even if the voucher covers several expenses and bills at once. The register's Source column links back to the voucher, and the check clears and reconciles exactly like any other. See the Disbursement Vouchers article for the approval workflow that leads up to the check.