Objectives of preparing trial balance

Objectives of preparing trial balance

Trial balance is prepared with the following objectives:

i) Test of arithmetical accuracy

Trial balance is the means by which the arithmetical accuracy of the book-keeping work is checked. When the totals of debit column and credit column in the trial balance are equal, it is assumed that posting from subsidiary books, balancing of ledger accounts, etc. are arithmetically correct. However, there may be some errors which are not disclosed by trial balance.

ii) Basis for preparing final accounts

Financial statements, namely, trading and profit and loss account and balance sheet are prepared on the basis of summary of ledger balances obtained from the trial balance.

iii) Location of errors

When the trial balance does not tally, it is an indication that certain errors have occurred. The errors may have occurred at one or more of the stages of accounting process, namely, journalising or recording in subsidiary books, totalling subsidiary books, posting in ledger accounts, balancing the ledger accounts, carrying ledger account balances to the trial balance, totalling the trial balance columns, etc. Hence, the errors should be located and rectified before preparing the financial statements.

iv) Summarised information of ledger accounts

The summary of ledger accounts is shown in the trial balance. Ledger accounts have to be seen only when details are required in respect of an account.