Accounts Payable & Receivable › Reconciliations

Why are regular reconciliations important for fraud prevention?

Beginner

Answer

Reconciliations compare independent records, so misappropriations (skimmed receipts, fake payments, altered records) create differences that surface during reconciliation—especially when performed by someone independent of processing. Regular, reviewed reconciliations deter and detect fraud that would otherwise stay hidden.
Real-world example An independent bank reconciliation catches an unauthorized withdrawal that the person handling payments had concealed.

Common follow-ups: Why should the reconciler be independent? | How do reconciliations detect fraud?