I got a great question recently, so I thought I’d discuss the answer here.

Banner displays the normal balance of an account as a positive number.  Any increase in the normal balance is shown as a positive number.  This is true whether the normal balance is a credit (negative) or a debit (positive).  So, revenue is shown as a positive number and expense is ALSO a positive number.  (Transfers have no “normal” balance, so true debits and credits are displayed.)

It can be particularly confusing when it comes to totals.  The total displayed will net true debits and credits, so the positive revenue number is deducted.

If you’re finding this all very confusing, it’s not just you… this issue is particularly vexing to anyone with a financial background.