Reconcile has a logic flaw

prs77QC
prs77QC Member ✭✭
in Product Enhancements (Windows)
If all transactions are marked "Reconciled", the Reconcile function returns the message "There are no uncleared items to reconcile." This implies that everything is right. The logic flaw is that it is possible to erroneously mark a transaction reconciled that is not actually reconciled. It would be more useful if, in this situation, Quicken pointed out that the total of reconciled transactions in Quicken does not match the total of reconciled (processed as opposed to pending) transactions in the actual account.
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  • q_lurker
    q_lurker SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    prs77QC said:
    If all transactions are marked "Reconciled", the Reconcile function returns the message "There are no uncleared items to reconcile." This implies that everything is right.  The logic flaw is that it is possible to erroneously mark a transaction reconciled that is not actually reconciled. ...
    No.  It does not imply that.  It simply states that three are no uncleared items to reconcile.  It would be more accurate to state that there are no "unreconciled" transactions to reconcile, or that there are no transactions to reconcile or that all transactions are reconciled, but there is no implication about rightness of that situation that I see. 

    I agree that it is possible for the user "to erroneously mark a transaction reconciled that is not actually reconciled."  It is also possible for a user to mark a transaction previously reconciled as unreconciled (cleared or blank). 
    It would be more useful if, in this situation, Quicken pointed out that the total of reconciled transactions in Quicken does not match the total of reconciled (processed as opposed to pending) transactions in the actual account.
    "the total of reconciled transactions in Quicken" is a number the program can readily determine. 
    "the total of reconciled (processed as opposed to pending) transactions in the actual account"?  Where is this number supposed to come from?  The financial institution?  For what period of time?  How does anyone know if the Quicken time period corresponds to the bank's?  Voided transactions get the 'R' status in Quicken but will not be in any bank records.  The user might also have in other records (reminders or comments) with that type of status ('R').  

    All in all, I can't see that information as being available, reliable or helpful.  

    Quicken auto-populates the Prior Balance field of the first reconcile screen with the total of the reconciled transactions.  If that value is different that the bank statement, that is the clue to look for some issue including for erroneously marked transactions.  

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