There are several factors that can contribute to a difference between the balance of cash in the accounting records and the bank statement balance. Some common reasons for this discrepancy include:

1. Outstanding checks: If a company has issued checks that have not yet been presented to the bank for payment, the cash balance in the accounting records will be higher than the bank statement balance.

2. Deposits in transit: Deposits made by a company near the end of a bank statement period may not have been processed and recorded by the bank, resulting in a lower bank statement balance compared to the cash balance in the accounting records.

3. Bank errors: Banks can make mistakes when processing transactions, such as recording an incorrect amount for a deposit or withdrawal. These errors can cause differences between the cash balance in the accounting records and the bank statement balance.

4. Service charges and bank fees: Banks often deduct service charges, monthly fees, or other charges from a company's bank account. If these deductions are not recorded in the accounting records, the bank statement balance will be lower than the cash balance.

5. NSF checks: If a company receives a check from a customer that bounces due to insufficient funds (NSF), the accounting records may initially show an increase in cash, but the bank will later reverse the deposit, leading to a lower bank statement balance.

6. Errors in recording transactions: Mistakes made during the recording of cash transactions in the company's accounting records can also cause differences between the cash balance and the bank statement balance.

7. Fraud or unauthorized transactions: In some cases, fraudulent activities or unauthorized transactions can occur, resulting in differences between the cash balance in the accounting records and the bank statement balance.