help for a beginner

[Michael Hendry]

On 7 Sep 2013, at 23:44, Donald Eugene Mines <elgauchodonaldo at yahoo.com> wrote:

> To whomever:
> 
> I successfully downloaded the software for use on Mac Laptop. Set up several accounts and enter transactions for the first 6 months of this year.  After entering data I reconciled each account.  While working on the 7th month something happened causing a dozen or so negative balances to show up nearly every month.

I'm not sure what you mean by "negative balances", are you saying that when you went through the reconciliation process the end result was not zero?

> 
> I've somehow gotten back to all positive balances but one account register shows a later balance than what is in the bank
> 
> I also have a number of entries in "Orphan" account as well as numerous ones in the "Imbalance" account

I think this is where you need to look for solutions to the problem with the reconciliations.

Open the Accounts tab, and look for the Orphan account and the Imbalance Account.

Open whichever of those accounts is non-zero, and have a look at the transactions recorded in them. You'll probably need to "Split" the transactions to see what's gone wrong - right-click on the line for that transaction, and select "Split Transaction".

You'l find a line for "Imbalance" or "Orphan", with the amount which is required to bring the transaction into balance. I presume you have some understanding of double-entry book-keeping, and can take it from there.

I don't have any Orphans or Imbalances at the moment to check what I'm telling you.

Best of luck,

Michael
> 
> What is the best way to find my error(s) and correct them?
> 
> Your wise words are appreciated.
> 
> D.E. Mines
> elgauchodonaldo at yahoo.com