Easy Tech TutsHow to Adjust Accounts Payable in QuickBooks With a Journal Entry Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Adjusting Accounts Payable isn't quite like a normal journal entry, since it needs to stay linked to a specific vendor to keep sub-ledgers accurate. This guide shows how to write off or correct a vendor balance in QuickBooks Online the right way.
01Open a new journal entry
Click + New, select Journal Entry, and set the adjustment date with a unique journal number.
02Select Accounts Payable
In the first row, choose Accounts Payable (A/P) as the account and place the amount under Debit to reduce the balance or Credit to increase it.
03Link the vendor
In the same row, select the target vendor's name in the Name column so QuickBooks preserves the sub-ledger link.
04Add the offsetting line
On the second row, choose an offsetting account, such as an expense or equity account, to balance the entry.
05Save and verify
Add a memo for context, save the entry, then run an A/P Aging Summary report to confirm the vendor's balance adjusted correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to select a vendor name on an A/P journal entry?
Accounts Payable is a sub-ledger account, so linking a vendor keeps the adjustment tied to their specific balance instead of leaving it unassigned.
Can I use this to write off an uncollectible vendor balance?
Yes, this method is commonly used to write off or correct baseline vendor balances that no longer reflect reality.
What account should I use to offset the A/P line?
It depends on the reason for the adjustment; common choices include an expense account or opening balance equity.
How do I confirm the adjustment worked?
Run an Accounts Payable Aging Summary report to verify the target vendor's open balance reflects the change.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
