Gnucash usage and reporting

[Matrix Treasurer]

Hi Everyone,

Back in the day, I was an accountant for nearly 30 years, so do know my 
way around financial reporting. I would like to say that Gnucash is 
simply a terrific piece of software and I use it to manage all the 
accounting needs of the 2-3 volunteer organisations I work with, not to 
mention I recommend it to everyone else!

I have struck a problem that does not make sense to me and I am aware 
that it is said there is no need to close the books annually in Gnucash, 
but I like to be neat and tidy at the end of each financial year, so I 
tend to do it. Fortunately, it is very easy to reverse the transactions 
if necessary.

This is the first time I have come across a treatment that does not fit 
with what I thought I know. In this instance, when I transfer the 
closing income/expense balances to the Net result account, the amount 
differs to the actual financial result for the year. The actual 
difference is represented by an amount I have expensed as a provision 
for future buildings maintenance. Yet this amount is not included (?) 
when I close the books, with the final result of surplus for the year 
being overstated by the exact amount of provision. Drives me nuts! Any 
thoughts as to why this is so? The item in question has been clearly 
identified as an expense type, even though it it never going to be a 
cash item, since it does not represent an actual payment of money - 
maybe that is the problem. Your thoughts on this would be most helpful, 
Thank you.