# Setting starting balances using a journal entry (unbalanced)

**URL:** <https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [June 27, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581 "2024-06-27T18:21:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Farmer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/farmer/32/50333_2.png) [@Farmer](https://forum.manager.io/u/Farmer)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581/1 "2024-06-27T18:21:22Z")

</div>

Hello, I think I understand that the new and proper way to enter starting balances for bank accounts is by creating a journal entry.

[This post](https://forum.manager.io/t/moving-from-different-accounting-software-how-to-set-starting-balances/54127/2) by @lubos and some replies in that thread helped steer me in the right direction.

I have two questions:

1. I initially set the starting balance with a receipt to the bank account. I believe this was the wrong way and this entry needed to be deleted?
2. After I deleted the receipt, I created a journal entry debiting the bank account with the starting balance. The journal entry has a red notice “Unbalanced.” Is it okay to leave this entry unbalanced or am I missing a step? What would I credit to balance the transaction?

Thank you for your help.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Khurram\_Shahzad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f19dbf/32.png) [@Khurram\_Shahzad](https://forum.manager.io/u/Khurram_Shahzad)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581/2 "2024-06-27T18:30:14Z")

</div>

Leaving unbalanced any entry is wrong approach, you need to select retained earnings account and put the amount on credit side for balancing the entry.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Farmer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/farmer/32/50333_2.png) [@Farmer](https://forum.manager.io/u/Farmer)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 4:32am UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581/3 "2024-06-28T04:32:47Z")

</div>

Thank you!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ealfardan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.manager.io/ealfardan/32/63166_2.png) [@Ealfardan](https://forum.manager.io/u/Ealfardan)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.manager.io/t/setting-starting-balances-using-a-journal-entry-unbalanced/54581/4 "2026-07-05T19:59:09Z")

</div>

Solved topics