It is the local’s best interests to know the present balance in its checking account for several obvious reasons. There are adjusting entries that will have to be made when the bank statement is reconciled with the checkbook balance. The local will be less inclined to over-spend its cash resources when the current balance is known before hand. Keeping a running checkbook balance can be part of an intricate system of internal control procedures. The canceled checks should not be returned to the local officer who also is one of the signatory on the checking account and who has the responsibility for the checking account’s reconciliation. The canceled checks should be returned to and the envelope opened by the local President.