Three-way trust reconciliation from QuickBooks
QuickBooks reconciles the bank to the book, but not the client ledgers. Export the trust account register or transaction report and Tiesheet does the third leg.
The missing third leg
QuickBooks' bank reconciliation proves the bank and the book agree. A trust account also needs the client side: every dollar in the account must belong to a client, and no client can be below zero. Firms on QuickBooks usually track that with a customer (or class, or sub-account) per client and then add it up by hand.
What to export
- The trust bank account's register or a Transaction Detail by Account report for the trust account, from the first entry (or with opening balances), with the customer/client name on each line. Export to Excel.
- The bank statement for the month as CSV or Excel from your bank.
- Optionally, a client balance report (for example a customer balance summary for the trust account).
Tiesheet reads the date, number, name/customer, memo and amount columns. Reports grouped under a client heading with “Total for …” rows are handled: the heading fills the client in for the lines below it.
If amounts come in as Debit and Credit columns, Tiesheet reads them the accounting way (debit = money into the trust bank account) and checks the direction against the bank — you can flip it if it's wrong.
What Tiesheet does
- Matches the bank to the ledger: by check number, then by amount and date, then batched deposits (one bank deposit = several client receipts) and split items.
- Works out the adjusted bank balance: statement ending balance + deposits in transit − outstanding checks.
- Totals every client ledger from the client and matter on each ledger line — or uses your practice software's client balance report as the third leg.
- Shows whether all three agree, and if not, why: bank items you never recorded (fees, interest, chargebacks), a missing entry, a wrong amount.
- Flags the risks: negative client balances, clients that dipped below zero mid-month, entries with no client, stale checks, deposits that never reached the bank, duplicates and dormant balances.
Nothing is uploaded
Trust account data is about as confidential as it gets. Tiesheet reads your bank export and ledger with JavaScript in your browser tab; nothing is sent to a server, there's no account, and nothing about your transactions is saved — close the tab and it's gone. (Pro can keep this month's outstanding items in this browser so next month picks them up; you choose.)
How it works
- Drop the bank statement export and the trust ledger (CSV or Excel). Optionally add your software's client balance report.
- Check the period and ending balance — read from the statement when it has a balance column.
- See whether it ties: outstanding items, bank items missing from the ledger, every client's balance and the checks that failed. Print it, or with Pro download the Excel workbook.
FAQ
What is a three-way reconciliation?
It shows that three balances agree on the same date: the bank statement balance adjusted for outstanding checks and deposits in transit, the trust account ledger (checkbook) balance, and the total of all individual client ledger balances. Lawyers with client trust (IOLTA) accounts and real estate brokers holding escrow funds are generally required to do it regularly; how often depends on your state.
Is my data uploaded?
No. Your files are read by JavaScript in your browser tab and never sent to us or anyone else. Transactions aren't stored at all. With Pro you can choose to keep this month's outstanding items in this browser for next month.
Which files can I use?
CSV, tab-separated or Excel exports. The bank file needs a date and an amount (or deposit and withdrawal columns); a check number and running balance help. The ledger needs a date, an amount and a client, matter, owner or tenant column on each line. QuickBooks-style reports grouped under client headings work. Download the templates to see the layout.
What's free?
Matching, the three-way summary, outstanding items and every check, for any number of transactions. The printed report and CSV list up to 10 client ledgers with a small footer. Pro lists every client ledger and adds the Excel workbook, ledger cards and month-to-month carry-forward.
Does it replace my trust accounting software?
No. Tiesheet reconciles the records you already keep; it doesn't record transactions, write checks or connect to your bank. It also doesn't know your state's rules — check them, and have the report reviewed by the responsible lawyer or broker.
Why doesn't the bank balance agree with my ledger?
Usually bank fees or interest that were never recorded, a deposit or check recorded for the wrong amount, or an item outstanding from last month. Tiesheet lists bank transactions missing from the ledger and says when they explain the whole difference.