How to Transfer Between Bank Accounts

What is a Bank Account Transfer?

A bank account transfer records moving money from one of your local’s bank accounts to another — for example, moving money from checking into a savings account. It keeps both accounts’ balances accurate and creates a record you can look back on, without treating the move as new income or an expense.

Before You Begin

You’ll need:

• At least two bank accounts set up for your local (see “How to Manage Bank Accounts”)
• The amount and date of the transfer
• Local financial write access

Getting Started / How to Access

Option A: From the Income & Expenses page

1. Go to your local’s dashboard and click the Income & Expenses tab.
2. On the Bank Accounts card, click the menu icon and select Record Bank Account Transfer.

Option B: From the Bank Account Transfers list

1. From the Bank Accounts card, click Bank Account Transfers in the menu (or open the full list directly).
2. Click the + button in the card header.

Recording a Transfer

Fill out the form:

Click Save.

You’ll see a confirmation that the transfer has been recorded, and you’re returned to the Income & Expenses page. Both accounts’ balances update immediately.

How the Transfer Appears in Both Ledgers

A single transfer shows up in two places:

• In the From Account’s ledger, it appears as a transfer out, reducing that account’s balance.
• In the To Account’s ledger, it appears as a transfer in, increasing that account’s balance.

Each entry shows the name of the other account and links to a summary of the transfer — click the amount in either ledger to see the date, both accounts involved, the amount, the memo, and who recorded it.

Voiding a Transfer

If a transfer was recorded in error, you can void it rather than trying to edit it.

1. Go to the Bank Account Transfers list.
2. Find the transfer and click the cancel icon in its row.
3. Confirm when asked “Are you sure you want to void this transfer?”

Once voided, the transfer is shown with a line through it in the list and no longer counts toward either account’s balance. Voided transfers can’t be un-voided or edited — if you need the transfer after all, record a new one.

Tips

• Double-check both accounts before saving. It’s easy to select the wrong account in a hurry — review the From and To accounts once more before clicking Save.
• Use the memo. A short note on the reason for the transfer saves confusion later, especially at audit time.
• A transfer never touches your income or expense totals. Moving money between your own accounts isn’t income or an expense — it won’t affect your Profit and Loss Report.

Troubleshooting

Q: I don’t see the account I want in the From or To dropdown. A: Only active bank accounts appear in the transfer form. If the account is missing, check that it hasn’t been deactivated (see “How to Manage Bank Accounts”).

Q: M2 won’t let me save a transfer dated before an account’s starting balance. A: A transfer can’t be dated on or before either account’s starting balance date, since that balance already accounts for everything before it. Use a later date, or adjust the account’s starting balance date if it needs correcting.

Q: I made a mistake on a transfer — can I edit it? A: No, transfers can’t be edited once saved. Void the incorrect transfer and record a new one with the correct details.

Related Guides

• How to Manage Bank Accounts
• How to View a Bank Account Ledger
• How to Transfer Between Funds
• How to Create an Officer Funds Transfer

Glossary

Local — The individual unit within your organization where members hold their primary membership. Depending on your organization, this might correspond to a lodge, chapter, local committee, or similar body.