Practice

Fictional sample answer written by JoRoute to show the shape of a strong answer. Do not copy it: replace every detail with what is true for you.

First I would isolate the difference and check whether it matches a single transaction, because exact matches usually point to a duplicate or a missed entry. Then I would review entries posted in the last two days and any timing issues with the bank. If I cannot tie it out within an hour, I would tell my manager with what I already checked, because month-end close deadlines affect everyone. I would document the cause and the fix so ownership of the problem is clear in the file. At my last job in Dallas I closed the books for 14 entities, and about once a quarter a difference like this was a bank fee posted a day late.