The following information is available to assist you in preparing a bank reconciliation for Calico Corners on May 31:

a. The balance on the May 31 bank statement is $8,432.11.
b. Not included on the bank statement is a $1,250 deposit made by Calico Corners late onMay 31.
c. A comparison between the canceled checks returned with the bank statement and the company records indicated that the following checks are outstanding at May 31:

d. The Cash account on the company’s books shows a balance of $9,965.34.
e. The bank acts as a collection agency for interest earned on some municipal bonds held by Calico Corners. The May bank statement indicates interest of $465.00 earned during the month.
f. Interest earned on the checking account and added to Calico Corners’ account during May was $54.60. Miscellaneous bank service charges amounted to $50.00.
g. A customer’s NSF check in the amount of $166.00 was returned with the May bank statement.
h. A comparison between the deposits listed on the bank statement and the company’s books revealed that a customer’s check in the amount of $123.45 was recorded on the books during May but was never added to the company’s account. The bank erroneously added the check to the account of Calico Closet, which has an account at the same bank.
i. The comparison of deposits per the bank statement with those per the books revealed that another customer’s check in the amount of $101.10 was correctly added to the company’s account. In recording the check on the company’s books, however, the accountant erroneously increased the Cash account by $1,011.00.

Required
1. Prepare a bank reconciliation in good form.
2. A friend says to you: ‘‘I don’t know why companies bother to prepare bank reconciliations—it seems a waste of time. Why don’t they just do like I do and adjust the Cash account for any difference between what the bank shows as a balance and what shows up in the books?’’ Explain to your friend why a bank reconciliation should be prepared as soon as a bank statement is received.