Bank reconciliation window dressing refers to which practice?

• A. Postings that make the bank position more favourable
• B. Adjustments for non-cash items
• C. Unrecorded transactions
• D. Early settlement of liabilities

Answer: (A)

Window dressing in bank reconciliation is about actions taken at the reporting date to present a stronger cash position than really exists. It involves postings that artificially boost the amount shown as cash at bank or reduce the apparent overdraft, making liquidity look better to readers of the financial statements. For example, management might adjust entries so that receipts appear to have cleared or so that outstanding items are understated, thereby producing a more favourable bank balance on the reconciliation.

This aligns with the idea of postings that make the bank position more favourable. Adjustments for non-cash items affect the income statement rather than the cash balance. Unrecorded transactions may indicate incomplete records rather than deliberate enhancement of the bank view. Early settlement of liabilities changes cash outflow timing, but it does not purposefully improve the bank balance in the reconciliation.