Lesson Plan

• Describe common errors that cause a trial balance to be out of balance.
• Explain the purpose and mechanics of a suspense account as a temporary balancing tool.
• Apply the step‑by‑step procedure to create, investigate, and clear a suspense account.
• Analyse sample trial balances to identify when a suspense account is required.
• Evaluate the importance of clearing the suspense account before final financial statements.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed worksheet with trial balance examples
• Calculator for each student
• Accounting textbook or handout on trial balances and suspense accounts
• Whiteboard markers and eraser
• Optional: Excel template for trial balance practice

Begin with a quick question: “What would you do if your trial balance doesn’t balance?” Recall that a balanced trial balance is essential before preparing financial statements. Today we’ll learn how a suspense account lets us continue work while we locate the error, and we’ll know how to clear it. Success will be shown by correctly completing a sample trial balance using a suspense entry.

1. Do‑now (5') – Students calculate totals of a given trial balance and note any imbalance.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Explain why imbalances occur and introduce the suspense account concept with a flowchart.
3. Guided practice (15') – Walk through the six‑step procedure to record a suspense entry using the example from the notes.
4. Pair activity (15') – Learners work on a new trial balance, identify the difference, create the suspense entry, and begin error investigation.
5. Whole‑class debrief (10') – Groups share findings; teacher checks understanding of debit/credit placement and clearing the suspense account.
6. Exit ticket (5') – Students write the final step required to close a suspense account and one reason it must be cleared before final accounts.

Summarise that a suspense account is a temporary placeholder that helps maintain the trial balance while errors are investigated. Remind students that the account must be cleared before the financial statements are issued. For the exit ticket, they will submit the closing step, and homework is to complete a worksheet locating errors in a provided trial balance.