# Write a check

Record a direct check payment, choose its accounts, and send it to the print queue if needed.

Canonical: https://demo.qixcount.com/help/bills-and-vendors/write-a-check

Who can do this: Owners, or people with *Write checks* and *View checks*

Where: Purchases, then Checks

You'll need: An active bank account linked to an account in the books

Use **Write Check** to record a direct payment against expense, asset, or liability accounts.

## Enter the check

1. Open **Purchases**, then **Checks**.
2. Select **Write Check**.
3. Choose **Bank Account**.
4. Enter **Check Date**.
5. Select **Payee** or turn on **Enter payee manually** and enter a name.
6. Review **Check #** for a manually issued check, or turn on **Print Later**.
7. Enter **Memo** if needed.
8. Select an **Account** for each line.
9. Enter each line's **Amount**.
10. Select **Add Line** for more lines.
11. Review **Total Amount**.
12. Select **Save Check**.

![Write Check form with bank, payee, and account lines](https://demo.qixcount.com/images/help/check-create.webp)

Each line must have an account and an amount of at least $0.01. Nonprofit also shows financial coding on each line. Selecting a saved vendor copies its mailing address into the check record.

**Print Later** leaves numbering for the print queue. Without it, a blank check number is assigned from that bank account's sequence, starting at 1001 if no numbered checks exist.

## What happens next

A saved check posts immediately, including when **Print Later** is selected. Posting reduces the bank account and charges the line accounts. Approval also posts a check that was waiting for review.

This records the check; it does not deliver money or print paper automatically. A closed or locked period, or backdating restriction, can block posting.

Next, [print checks](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/bills-and-vendors/print-checks) or [review the check register](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/bills-and-vendors/checks-overview).

## Good to know

A check counts in the automatic 1099 amount only when **Track for 1099** is selected, a vendor is chosen, and its posted journal has not been voided or reversed. This guide explains how QixCount works. It isn't tax, legal or accounting advice.

It does not apply a payment to an existing bill. To settle a recorded bill, [record a bill payment](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/bills-and-vendors/record-a-bill-payment) instead.

Owners can create checks. Other people need *Write checks*. Access to the check register and automatic check number lookup also requires *View checks*. The bank account must be active and linked to an account in the books.