Financial statements & accounting records · Core
Closing balance
Also called: ending balance
ELI5
The balance remaining at the end of a period.
Used in conversation
“Finance will reconcile closing balance before the board pack goes out.”
Pitch context
You will see “Closing balance” in financial models, budgets, board packs and investor materials when the discussion reaches financial statements & accounting records.
Why it matters: In financial statements & accounting records, different calculation boundaries, periods or accounting treatments can change the number and the decision.
Caution
Calculation, recognition and disclosure can vary by accounting framework, company policy and reporting context.
Sources & evidence · 5
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Financial Accounting Standards Board — FASB Accounting Standards CodificationDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Write your business planDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Break-even pointSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Compliance and Disclosure InterpretationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16