Start with the security and direction
Confirm the exact investment identifier and whether the transaction was a purchase or sale. Similar names or multiple listings can make a visual name check insufficient. Then compare the quantity with the intended order and any partial-fill information.
A confirmation is not the same as an order acknowledgement. An acknowledgement shows that an instruction was received; the confirmation describes what executed. If an order was only partly filled, there may still be an open remainder or a separate cancellation to verify.
Reproduce the cash calculation
Suppose a fictional purchase fills twelve units at $8.25 with a $1.50 explicit charge. The securities cost $99 and the cash debit is $100.50, before any other applicable items. If the confirmation's total differs, identify the extra line rather than assuming the displayed unit price includes every charge.
For a sale of the same quantity and price, the $1.50 charge would reduce the proceeds to $97.50. The direction of the cash flow matters. A worksheet copied from a purchase can accidentally add a fee to sale proceeds instead of subtracting it.
Check the order's conditions
For a limit order, compare the execution price with the stated boundary, while keeping charges separate from the security price. A buy limit concerns the execution price, not necessarily the all-in cash amount after fees. Multiple fills may have different prices, so check the individual entries or the reported average.
Record the execution and settlement dates separately. They serve different purposes. If the order was cancelled or amended, retain those records too; an attempted cancellation may not have prevented an execution already in progress.
Reconcile with the account
Investor.gov's confirmation bulletin recommends comparing confirmations and periodic statements. Match the cash debit or credit and the change in holding quantity. Timing differences near a statement boundary should be explained by the records rather than silently ignored.
If something is wrong or unclear, contact the provider promptly through its verified channel. Include the reference number, the field in question and the calculation expected. Keep the original confirmation and the response. The objective is a traceable reconciliation of the instruction, execution and account entry, not merely a glance at whether the total looks plausible.
