Accounting · Odoo glossary

Bank Reconciliation

Learn what bank reconciliation means, how Odoo matches bank transactions to accounting records, and where reconciliation models fit into the process.

Definition

In general ERP practice

Bank reconciliation compares the transactions and balance reported by a bank with the corresponding accounting records. Differences are identified, explained and, where necessary, corrected so that recorded cash movements can be supported by evidence.

Common differences include timing, unrecorded fees, duplicate entries and payments that have not yet been assigned to the correct invoice. Matching an amount is only part of the task: the date, reference and business counterpart also matter.

In Odoo

In Odoo, reconciliation validates bank transactions by matching them with accounting counterpart items, including invoices, vendor bills and payments. Transactions without an existing counterpart, such as a bank fee, can be assigned to an account.

Odoo 19 provides a Bank Matching view with suggested matches. Default matching rules and configurable reconciliation models help process recurring transactions. Until a transaction is reconciled, its entry uses the bank journal’s suspense account; reconciliation replaces that counterpart with the appropriate account.

A practical matching sequence

  1. Identify the movement

    Check the bank reference, amount, date and payer or recipient.

  2. Find its business context

    Determine whether it settles an invoice, a bill, a transfer or a separate expense.

  3. Review the difference

    Explain any remaining amount before completing the match.

Bank import and reconciliation

Importing or synchronising a bank feed brings transactions into the system. Reconciliation determines what those transactions represent in the books. A successfully imported transaction may still need accounting review.