General Ledger Q&A: Negative Balance Sheet Account Balances

March 2021    Tags: Chart of Accounts, General Ledger, Reports

When I run my Balance Sheet Report, I see that some of the accounts are printing the right amount, but show as negative instead of positive. Is there a way to change this?

There is an option to Invert Balance Type. When this check box is selected, it will invert how an account’s balance is displayed on reports from positive to negative or vice versa.

To change whether an account is inverted or not

1. From the File menu, point to Open and select Chart of Accounts.
2. On the Accounts tab, select Select Accounts and then select all of your checking accounts.
3. Double click the account that is printing as a negative.
4. On the Report Options tab, in the Advanced section, select or clear the Invert Balance Type check box.
5. On the Sort tab, set the 1st Sort Order to Check# and clear the Subtotal check box.
6. Press Ctrl+S.

Now when you print the Balance Sheet Report, the accounts will show the same amount but will no longer be negative. Repeat the steps for any accounts that are showing as negative and should be positive or vice versa.