## Overview
Over time, transactions within a household may result in balances being spread across multiple accounts. This can occur when **credits** are applied to the **wrong account**, leading to a **balance due** on one account and an **offsetting credit** on another. You can **consolidate balances** yourself directly in **Art Center Canvas**.
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## When to Use Balance Consolidation
- **Misapplied Credits:** When credits are applied to the wrong account within the same household.
- **Streamlining Payments:** To avoid managing multiple small balances across household accounts.
- **Audit and Clarity:** Keeping financial records clear and consolidated under the appropriate account.
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## How to Consolidate Balances
### 1. Access the Household Account
- Navigate to the **Household Account** where balances need to be consolidated.
### 2. Identify the Accounts for Consolidation
- In this example, we will **merge the balances** of two accounts: **John Ambrose** and **Yvonne Bobrowicz**.
### 3. Locate the Consolidate Balances Button
- On the **Household Members List**, observe the **'Consolidate Balances'** button on the **right side** of the screen.
- **Note:** You must have **Finance permissions** to see and use this button.
### 4. Select the Target Account
- Click **'Consolidate Balances'** to open the **pop-up display**.
- Choose the **account** to which you want to **roll up all balances** by clicking the **arrow button** in the account row.
- The consolidation process will **automatically run** and the pop-up screen will **close**.
### 5. Refresh the Data
- To see the updated balances, **refresh your data**:
- Click on **any name** in the **Household list**.
- This will **refresh the account information** and display the **consolidated balance**.
### Important Reminder
- You **must refresh** the account to see the **newly consolidated total**.