What does a post-closing trial balance verify?

A post-closing trial balance serves a specific purpose in the accounting cycle. It is primarily used to verify that total debits equal total credits after all closing entries have been made. At the end of an accounting period, temporary accounts such as revenues and expenses are closed out to the retained earnings account through closing entries. This process resets temporary accounts to zero for the next accounting period.

By preparing a post-closing trial balance, accountants ensure that the accounting equation remains balanced (where total debits must equal total credits) after these adjustments. This balance confirms the integrity of the accounting records, indicating that the closing entries were made correctly and that the financial statements can confidently be prepared for the next period.

The other options, while they may pertain to different aspects of accounting or business performance, do not relate to the specific function of a post-closing trial balance. For instance, verifying customer invoices pertains to accounts receivable management, assessing sales team performance involves metrics related to sales and marketing, and balancing cash flow is a separate consideration within liquidity management. These areas do not address the post-closing trial balance's focus on the equality of debits and credits following the closing process.