Misconception · MIS:post-closing-balance-allows-temporary-accounts

Mistaken idea “A temporary account may remain on an equal post-closing trial balance”

Mistaken reasoning: This mistake checks only equal totals and ignores an account that should have been closed to zero.

Updated Sep 11, 2026 Review due Dec 11, 2026

Why this is mistaken

Inspect every account included in the report, then check the totals. A post-closing trial balance contains only permanent balances. Any temporary balance shows that the close or the report population is incomplete.

Where to watch

When this mistake may appear

  • The post-closing debit and credit totals agree.
Check your work

Your work may contain this mistake if:

  • Accepts a revenue, expense, distribution, or Income Summary balance because another error offsets it.