Check Running Balances in a Bank Statement
Learn the opening balance plus credits minus debits check, then scan a text-based statement for detectable running-balance mismatches.
A running balance is a useful consistency check when the statement shows a balance after each transaction. Start from the prior balance, subtract withdrawals, add deposits, and compare the result with the next printed balance.
A simple balance example
| Starting balance | Debit | Credit | Expected next balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000.00 | 24.50 | 0.00 | 975.50 |
| 975.50 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1225.50 |
If the PDF prints 975.50 after the first withdrawal, the arithmetic matches. If it prints 985.50, investigate the difference. Check the source page before assuming the statement was altered: extraction errors, pending items, fees, or a different account balance definition can also explain a mismatch.
Use the local statement audit
- Add a text-based PDF to the audit tool below.
- Review whether the tool could actually identify date, amount, and running balance columns.
- Inspect every flagged row against the original PDF.
- If balance math was not checkable, treat the result as unchecked rather than as a pass.
Need an editable transaction table first? Read the PDF-to-CSV guide