Voiding Checks

I'm not voiding a check that cleared the bank - that would be crazy.  And voiding an outstanding check is actually a problem ... 

Let's say in the month of February the company begins with a bank balance of $1000.  It writes a check for $100 and a check for $400.  The check for $400 clears the bank, and at the end of the month, the bank shows a balance of $600.  A $100 check is still outstanding in QB.

When we reconcile the bank account, the reconciliation detail will show a beginning balance of $1000, a cleared check for $400, an ending balance of $600, an outstanding check for $100, and an ending register balance of $500.

If you void the check after completing the reconciliation, QB goes back to the $100 check and makes it's value $0.  Now QB shows a register balance at the end of February of $500 - which no longer matches the register balance on the reconciliation.  Unless you are currently in March, you will now have a discrepency between the ending register balance of one month and the starting register balance of the next month - and the voided check (being from a previous month) will appear no where on the reconciliation statements to show that you voided a check.  You'd need to print out something to show that you voided the check, along with an explanation that shows how the register balances align.  It creates a real mess and a lot of questions from an auditor.

A journal entry offsets the deposit or deduction and shows the action taken.  We've used them in droves, but I'm curious if there are other workarounds out there.  

As you stated showing an outstanding check for $100.00 and i assume you reconciled the bank account for that month printed the reports etc.  Until you really void the check the GL Bank balance will still reflect the $100.00 outstanding awaiting the next bank reconcilation.  So the next month you start as usual the Bank Rec. click on the outstanding check showing on the screen right mouse edit transaction and VOID - Delete.  continue normal clicking off cleared checks and deposits and you should reconcile....... To get your prior months data to match your voiding the check in the month your reconciling.  Just change the dates when the check comes up to void, make notes on memo section whatever and you should be ok.  don't like JE cause if check is paying a Bill will mess up AP and worst if Payroll really can cause all kinds of promblems.  Lastly some clients do the following make a deposit offsetting the P & L account used on the original to be voided check and click both off when doing bank rec. ( $100.00 minus $100.00 Plus equals zero with new date )  just make notes as to why in memo sections in QB