The Ten Errors
- Figures and words disagree. Rebuild both from the source amount.
- The wrong currency is named. State USD, CAD or AUD rather than relying on “$.”
- A leading zero is lost. Five cents is 05/100 on a check.
- The subtotal is converted. Use the final amount after tax, discount and credits.
- Million and crore are mixed. Choose one numbering system throughout.
- Scale words are pluralized. Write “Two Million,” not “Two Millions.”
- Singular currency forms are wrong. Use one pound/one penny, but two pounds/two pence.
- Unused check-line space remains open. Close it with a line or “Only.”
- A corrected value is overwritten. Prepare a clean replacement document where integrity matters.
- Rounding is assumed. Follow the currency or document rule before generating words.
A Faster Review Method
Read the numeric amount from the highest scale to the lowest: billions, millions, thousands, hundreds, units and minor units. Then trace the written phrase in the same order. Confirm the currency separately. This catches transposed digits and skipped scale words more reliably than rereading the sentence as ordinary prose.
For a second check, read the written phrase aloud and reconstruct the number on paper. If the reconstructed value differs, do not issue the document.
Use a Converter as a Draft, Not an Authority
A converter removes repetitive spelling work, but it cannot know the bank's local format, the contract's precedence clause or the accounting system's rounding rule. Select the right currency and output type, then review the result against the original figures and receiving institution's requirements.