[Question] Zero balance appearing for a customer that owes money

[blou]

We have been using Pastel Partner for a very long time, since around 2002.

In 2003 a customer went bankrupt and owed us a balance of $392,000, we blocked that account so that no further transactions would be made to the account.

When we tried to call a statement for that customer with that amount owing, the balance was Zero and shows nothing outstanding.

How can a customer go from owing a certain amount of money to nothing at all after a period of time? The customer has not paid us, so how are we meant to prove this in court if it shows nothing outstanding for that customer and how are we able to bring that information back up in Pastel Partner?

Since then we have rolled over, considering it is now 2011.

We understand that we can restore a backup from 2003 before the rollover when that information is there, but is there an explanation as to why the amount owing balance seems to of cleared?

Can you please confirm if there is any feasible process or way to get the amount owing balance back onto the customer account, other than reverting to restoring to a backup of when that balance was present?

Thank you.

[Neville Bailey]

There could be many reasons for the account to reflect a zero balance, contrary to what you expect the balance to be.

Without having access to your Pastel database, I can only speculate at this point, so it might be a good idea if we can arrange a mutually convenient time for me to examine your system remotely, using TeamViewer.

If you would like me to assist you in this way, please fill in your company details on my online form at www.accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za/contact.php and I will contact you to arrange a time.

[Mark Atkinson]

If you would like me to assist you in this way, please fill in your company details on my online form at www.accountingsoftwaresupport.co.za/contact.php and I will contact you to arrange a time.

Hi Blou,

You might want to take him up on that offer. Neville is a Pastel guru and your best chance of figuring out what happened.

[Dave A]

How can a customer go from owing a certain amount of money to nothing at all after a period of time?

Normally because somewhere along the line it's been written off as irrecoverable.

I'm concerned about the fact that you're only trying to prove the claim 8 years later. Fair chance it's prescribed by now.