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Xero Trial Balance report: what it shows and when to use it

The Trial Balance lists every account with its debit or credit balance at a date. Accountants use it to check the books balance and as the starting point for month-end and year-end work.

Sample Trial Balance report for a demo company, as sent by Reportpost
A sample Trial Balance for a demo company, as Reportpost sends it.

What it shows

  • Debit and credit year-to-date columns for every account with a balance
  • Revenue and expense accounts from the start of the financial year; asset, liability and equity accounts cumulatively
  • Optional month-to-date debit and credit columns

Where to find it in Xero

Reporting > All reports > Trial Balance.

Settings worth knowing

  • Compare with past periods (comparison columns are net, not split into debit and credit)
  • Grouping by account class or account type
  • Cash or accrual basis, and showing zero-balance accounts

Things to watch out for

  • Accounts with nil balances are hidden unless you turn them on.
  • For balances over a range rather than at a date, Xero has a separate Trial Balance by Date Range.

Getting it by email on a schedule

Xero can't email reports on a schedule, so the usual routine is to export the report and attach it by hand. Reportpost sends the Trial Balance as at the end of the period, on cash or accrual basis, which suits a month-end email to your accountant. Choose weekly, every two weeks, monthly or quarterly, and the recipients. You can try the demo without connecting Xero.

Related: Emailing the trial balance at month end and Xero year-end checklist.

Other Xero reports

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Next month's pack could send itself.

Reportpost emails your Xero reports on a schedule, as PDF, Excel or CSV. 14 days free, no card.

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