Debit Balance

A debit accounting entry represents an increase in asset or expense account or a decrease in liabilities of an individual or enterprise.

Debit balance is the amount in excess of debit entries over credit entries in the general ledger. The debit balance is shown as Dr.

Credit Balance

A credit accounting entry represents a decrease in assets or an increase in liabilities or income accounts of an individual or enterprise.

Credit balance is the amount in excess of credit entries over debit entries in the general ledger. The credit balance is shown as Cr.

Debit Balance in the Passbook

A passbook is a record of a customer’s account transactions kept by the bank. The passbook is a copy of the bank account of the customer in the books of banks. Debit balance in the passbook is also called “Overdraft”.

All the transactions either debit or credit are recorded in the passbook. When the total amount of all debit entries in a passbook is more than the total of credit entries, it results in a debit balance. It means that an individual or enterprise owes to the bank.

The overdraft facility given by the bank has a limit i.e. only a certain amount can be withdrawn in excess of the amount deposited and if one avails overdraft facility, interest is also charged by the bank.

The amount withdrawn by a customer from the bank is shown as a debit entry and the amount deposited by the customer is shown as a credit entry. The passbook’s debit balance is a negative balance or unfavourable balance while the passbook’s credit balance is a positive or favourable balance.

For example: An individual deposited $50,000 in a bank account and withdrew a total sum of $60,000. So here, the passbook will show an overdraft of $10,000 i.e. the debit balance of the passbook. It signifies negative cash flow of the individual and that individual owes $10,000 to the bank.

Credit balance in Pass Book

On the other hand, when the total amount of all the debit entries in a passbook is less than the total amount of credit entries, it results in a credit balance. It means the amount deposited by a customer is more than the amount withdrawn indicating the positive cashflow in the account.

Reconciliation

It is the process of identifying and rectifying differences between the passbook and cashbook maintained by the bank and customer respectively. The aim is to ensure the accuracy of the transaction recorded in the cashbook and passbook.

Debit Balance Reconciliation

The debit balance in the cashbook and the credit balance in the passbook shows that some outstanding cheques are in the process of clearing and these cheques need to be adjusted for reconciliation of the balance of the passbook and cashbook.

Credit Balance Reconciliation

The credit balance in the cashbook and debit balance in the passbook shows that deposits already recorded in the cashbook are yet to be recorded in the passbook by the bank and these deposits need to be adjusted in the passbook for reconciliation of the balance of the passbook and cashbook.

Conclusion

The debit and credit balance of the passbook is the indicator of the financial position of an enterprise or individual. A debit balance signifies more withdrawals than receipts resulting in an overdraft.