A checkbook register is a document that people who frequently transact use to keep an account of bank balances in various accounts. Whether you issue multiple checks or wanted to keep track of the number of blank checks you have available, the register gives a clear statement of transactions and the availability of checks. The best part about this document is that it is easily accessible, and you don’t have to maintain it round the clock.
Since it is a private document that you may secretly use, it is advised to make use of a readymade template that has all the necessary columns and descriptions (along with formulae based on the need) instead of a manually created one. The latter might not fulfill the purpose as there is a chance of missing an essential component of a checkbook register.
Curious to see how the templates are going to help you? We will detail in the coming section.
Basic Checkbook Register Template
If you are looking for a simple template to add business or personal transaction details to and view the balance of an account, here are some that may fit your needs.
You may notice that there is a separate column where R and C are marked. R stands for reconciling and C for cleared. With these columns in the format, it is possible to continuously update your statement and balance your checkbook better if you use a Blank Check Template.
If you feel that a template is better so you can import the check register to the software of your choice, then here is the DOC version of it.
There is also an Excel version where the formula is all set, and you just have to enter the data of transactions you make.
Breakdown of a Check Register
Below, you will find the integral components of a check register along with some information on each to give you a better understanding of how they work and how they are a vital component when it comes to better financial planning, saving, and accounting.
Check Number
This is the number in the right-hand corner of the check. Some checks may have this number on the bottom as well. Checks are typically issued in chronological order which makes it easier to track when you write checks. When logging information in your check register, you want to make sure to include the check number in case there are any discrepancies later. You will see that all checks are accounted for.
Date
When you write the date, it is the date that you are writing the check. Make sure that the date is correct, or there may be an error when the other person goes to deposit or cash the check.
Transaction Description
This allows you to keep a record of why you wrote the check in the first place. You can give the check a nickname or write a short description so you can remember it later on. You may also want to include the name of the person or business you wrote the check out to as well.
Payment Amount
This is the amount of the check you have written. This should be the exact payment. When you round the numbers, you will not have an accurate depiction of what is in your account. Make sure to write the exact payment amount whether you wrote a check, used your debit card, or other online banking means. Anytime the money comes out of the account. You need to record it correctly.
Withdrawal Amount
You also need to keep a record of any money you have withdrawn from your account. This helps you maintain an accurate number.
Fee Amount
If you incur any fees as the result of a transaction, you need to make sure to jot those down as well because it affects the balance of your accounts.
Deposit Amount
This is the amount of any funds you may have deposited into your account. Make sure to account for it for an accurate real-time account balance. The same applies if you have transferred any money as well.
Balance
This is going to be the most important section of your check register. This is where your balance is calculated based on all the transactions that have been made. You want to make sure that this number is calculated correctly and accounts for all transactions made on your account.
Blank Printable Check Register Templates
Templates that have data already in them can look messy and confusing. If you are a newbie to this financial management aspect, you should probably begin by using a basic blank template where you can enter the numbers yourself and have a better idea of how it all works.
There is also a blank version in PDF.
Commercial Excel Check Register Formats
Finance is a serious subject and an area of concern in all organizations. Checks are issued quite frequently to stakeholders, and it gets difficult for the finance team to keep track of them in individual documents. With this kind of check register in place, it improves the coordination of transactions and allows you the resources to save time.
In all these formats, you will notice that it is also possible to keep a note of the transaction in detail. With the running balance column in the format, it informs you of the account balance for the next time you are planning to issue a check. This avoids check bounce charges and other penalties and also enhances the reputation of the firm.
The use of a proper format to maintain checks and accounts standardizes the internal financial management process of an organization. Even if there is a slight deviation in the amount, you can still tally it with this tracking process. By using a professional template, you are only improving the standards of your company.
Personal Checkbook Register Templates
Even though apps have been created to help manage your personal finances easier and more conveniently, nothing works better than a personalized template that you have saved for private use. This eliminates your fear about the security of these different applications as you have direct access to it, and you can also protect it.
If you are the one who takes financial decisions at your house, this checkbook register allows you to keep track of the savings and expenses that are yet to be spent on along with the mode of payment used. There are a number of advantages in just one document, and you can’t deny using it.
Here are a few formats that you can use directly.
If you feel that these do not suffice and need more options, you can check these formats in spreadsheets along with graphs that tell you the frequency of checks being used.
Checkbook Registers for Kids
Are you training your child to become more responsible? You should probably have financial management as a part of your checklist. This is what you can do:
Use one of our predefined versions that are simple and easy to use to teach your kids about personal finances like expenses, savings, and account tracking methods. This way, your child can begin to understand how to track finances while learning how to keep a record of every transaction that has been made.
With our predefined check register download templates for kids, you can ask them to enter all the details and teach them the proper way to do so. It will prove to be an interesting training technique that is productive and kindles the interest of financial security and savings for your child.
They look cute as well as turn your kid productive. The key here is to arouse interest by adding their favorite characters and turning the whole document colorful, so they don’t feel it boring.
Along with maintaining the register, teach your kid the procedure to fill the deposit slip and also to issue a check. If you are dealing with a high number of students in the classroom, you can distribute this as a worksheet for students to understand and fill their expenses.
Why Use a Checkbook Register?
When there are already enough documents online that can help with financial management, you may be wondering why you should even use check register templates. The direct answer to this question is to eliminate human errors. Out of all the errors that affect the results, human error is one that can be easily avoidable by switching to alternatives. There are some more advantages to using this format.
- It is easy to create a track of savings and expenses in one go at no cost. As a result, you can plan budgets better and on your own terms.
- The primary purpose of these is to track each transaction in detail. You may have issued a check a year ago, and one more similar transaction would be due on the same day this year. How do you set a reminder and keep track of the amount? That’s when these come into the picture. Similarly, it also allows you to update ledger balance.
- Instant access to personal finance with the highest security is possible only with these. Perhaps, you do not want others to know your transactions and registers can serve this notion easily.
Printable Checkbook Register Formats
It is always important to choose a template that are ready to print. Whether it is for your personal use or commercial use, printability is one of the aspects of a worthwhile format.
Some of the predefined versions that we have given also come with instructions on how to use them properly. This can be of use to those who are using check registers for the first time or are switching to a template instead of a handwritten one.
How to Check if the Format is Printable
We have listed a number of formats above, and most of them are ready to print. To check if it is printable, you need to look at the alignment of the check register, the clarity of the graphics (if any are used), the margins, the spacing between margins, clear text, and the spacing between rows. You also need to make sure that all the essential columns are there.
You can also use several office tools and products to edit these check register template downloads.
How to Use These Check Registers
Getting the template is not enough to process your transactions. Limited efforts from your end constantly allow you to manage personal finance better.
Once you have these cards, cultivate a new habit of recording and checking every transaction you make in detail. Even if it is a new $0.97 spent towards an item, don’t round it off to $1. Record it as such so you can see the bank balance in real-time.
Whenever you issue or receive a check, make sure to note every detail in the register, starting from the number of the check, issued date, the person’s name, the purpose of the check, and the amount. If there is another similar transaction expected, you can also set a reminder pointing to that row.
The way to use your check registers more effectively is to complete one row at a time. As soon as you enter the transaction detail, mention the balance that is currently present in your account. Do not postpone making your edits and noting your transactions as urgent transactions can happen, and you may not have time later. In this case, you may forget something, and your account balances will not be accurate.
If you are planning to use your check register on other software or electronically, check if your downloaded format contains a formula to compute the balance automatically. This hack saves you time because you don’t have to compute the balance yourself manually.
Conclusion
Smart money management is important for handling checks and other payment methods like an expert. It can also save time and effort on your part. With our range of templates, it is possible to plan your budget, save money, and also maintain the records in one go.
Download the formats of your choice and begin your financial planning process immediately. Plus, you don’t have restrictions about payment methods either.
It helps you lead a productive financial life ahead!
