When bridge files outlive the ledger
Intercompany reconciliations often keep a spreadsheet bridge long after the new ledger goes live — here is how auditors spot the residue.
Ledger migrations rarely retire every habit on day one. Teams keep a bridge file “just for this close,” then again for the next. During a financial audit of reconciliation management applications, that bridge is often where intercompany truth still lives.
What to ask for
Request both the system intercompany report and the bridge file used for sign-off. Compare entity pairs, not only totals. Differences that always land in the same clearing account deserve a walkthrough with the preparer.
What “good” looks like
A temporary bridge has an owner, an end date, and a list of postings that will move into native matching. If none of those exist, treat the bridge as part of the enduring reconciliation application — and test it accordingly.