What is the term used for the process of summarizing account balances in small pencil figures?

• A. Footing
• B. Balancing
• C. Indexing
• D. Notating

Answer: (A)

The term "footing" refers to the process of adding up the account balances, often done at the bottom of a column of numbers, and summarizing them with small pencil figures to ensure accuracy in financial reporting. This practice helps accountants verify that the totals are correct and that all calculations have been accurately accounted for. Footing is an essential step in the accounting cycle, as it confirms that the transaction totals match the recorded amounts in the ledgers. In contrast, balancing typically refers to ensuring that debits equal credits, indexing relates to organizing records or information for quick reference, and notating involves making notes or annotations rather than summarizing totals.