How do I export a trial balance from Clear Books?
In Clear Books, go to Reports, then Popular reports, then Trial balance. Use the search filter to set the period so that it ends on your financial year end, check the totals and drill into any balance that looks wrong. Download it as a CSV file for importing, or as a PDF for your records.
Key facts
| Where | Reports > Popular reports > Trial balance |
|---|---|
| Period | The search filter on the report |
| Drill down | Click a balance link for the detail behind it |
| Downloads | CSV file or PDF copy |
| Edition | Clear Books's Full Accounting help |
As at 28 October 2026.
Export the trial balance
- Open the report. Go to Reports > Popular reports > Trial balance.
- Set the period. Use the search filter to select the financial year, ending on the year end.
- Check the balances. Confirm that debits equal credits and click any balance that looks wrong to see the transactions behind it.
- Download. Download the trial balance on screen as a CSV file, or as a PDF copy.
- Repeat for last year. Run the previous financial year for the comparatives.
Check before you upload
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| The report date is the last day of the financial year | The accounts are made up to the accounting reference date, or a date up to 7 days either side of it |
| Year-end journals are posted | Depreciation, accruals, prepayments, stock and the tax charge belong in the trial balance you export |
| Debits equal credits | If the totals differ, something is wrong in the books; the accounts cannot balance |
| Last year's closing balances are the opening balances | The comparatives must agree with last year's accounts |
| The director's loan account is right | An amount a director owes the company is disclosed in the notes and may lead to s455 tax |
| VAT and PAYE accounts agree to the returns | They are creditors for taxation and social security, which the balance sheet formats show separately |
| Suspense and clearing accounts are empty | A balance there is an unexplained item that has to be cleared before the accounts are prepared |
Clear Books's help does not describe how its period filter treats balances brought forward, so check that the balance sheet accounts show their full balances at the year end, and that the opening balances equal last year's closing figures.
Work out any s455 tax on a director's loan with the s455 calculator, and the filing date with the filing deadline calculator.
Clear Books specifics
- Edition. The steps are from the Full Accounting help; the menus may differ in other editions.
- Drill down first. The balance links take you to the detail, which is the quickest way to clear a suspense balance or a misposting before you export.
- CSV or PDF. The CSV keeps the account names and balances in columns for importing; keep the PDF as the record of what you exported.
Using the export with StatutoryAccounts.io
StatutoryAccounts.io is built to read a trial balance export as Excel, CSV or PDF, suggest the Companies Act line item for each nominal account with AI and let you confirm the mapping. The file to use is the CSV download. Keep last year's trial balance as well, unless the comparatives come from the accounts filed at Companies House.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the trial balance in Clear Books?
Under Reports, Popular reports: select Trial balance and set the period with the search filter.
Which formats can I download from Clear Books?
The trial balance on screen can be downloaded as a CSV file or a PDF copy.
How do I check a balance in the Clear Books trial balance?
Click the balance link to drill down into the transactions behind it.
Sources
Prepare your statutory accounts
Create an account and set up your company from the Companies House register; your first set of accounts is free. The trial balance import and the CT600 are in preparation.
Join the waitlistGeneral information about UK company law and tax, not legal or tax advice. The directors remain responsible for the accounts and returns they approve and file.