Practice by Numbers integrates with Curve to provide key financial metrics such as Production, Adjustments, Collections, and Accounts Receivable (AR).
Because Curve offers multiple reporting experiences, it is important to compare Practice by Numbers data against the correct Curve reports when validating financial performance. Using the appropriate reports and understanding how each system calculates financial metrics will help eliminate expected differences and identify true discrepancies.
Before You Compare Financial Data
Run the AR Daily Sync
Before comparing financial metrics between Practice by Numbers and Curve, verify that the AR Daily Sync has successfully completed.
Best Practice: The AR Daily Sync should be run each morning for the previous day's data.
This synchronization updates the financial information used throughout Practice by Numbers, including:
Production
Adjustments
Collections
Accounts Receivable
Patient balances
If the AR Daily Sync has not completed, the previous day's transactions will not yet be reflected in Practice by Numbers, which can result in expected differences when comparing reports.
Always confirm the AR Daily Sync has completed before validating financial reports or investigating discrepancies.
Understanding Accounts Receivable (AR) in Practice by Numbers
Unlike Curve, Practice by Numbers always displays Accounts Receivable using the most current available data.
This means:
AR is always calculated using today's synchronized data
Practice by Numbers does not support viewing historical AR snapshots
You cannot calculate or display AR "as of" a previous date
For example, if today is July 6, Practice by Numbers displays AR based on the current balance after all synced activity.
Even if you generate a report for June 30, the AR balance shown in Practice by Numbers represents the current outstanding balance, not what the balance was on June 30.
This behavior is expected and should be considered when comparing aging reports between Practice by Numbers and Curve.
Accessing Financial Reports in Curve
To access the reports that align with Practice by Numbers:
Log in to Curve Hero.
Select the Hamburger Menu in the upper-right corner.
Click Reports.
Select Financial Reports.
Choose the appropriate report for comparison.
Financial Reports Menu
Which Curve Reports Should Be Used?
When comparing financial data between Practice by Numbers and Curve, use the following reports:
Practice by Numbers Metric | Curve Hero Report |
Production | Production Summary |
Adjustments | Adjustment Summary |
Collections | Collection Summary |
Collections (Alternative View) | Period Summary |
Accounts Receivable | Responsible Party Aging Summary |
Understanding Production
Production represents the total value of completed treatment and services provided during the selected reporting period.
To compare production:
Use the Production Summary report.
Ensure the same:
Date range
Provider filters
Clinic filters
Are selected in both systems.
Understanding Adjustments
Adjustments include financial activity such as:
Write-offs
Discounts
Manual adjustments
Other production-affecting transactions
To compare adjustment totals, use the Adjustment Summary report.
Understanding Collections
Collections represent money successfully applied toward patient or insurance balances.
Practice by Numbers uses the same financial activity represented within Curve Hero's Financial Reports.
Collection Summary Calculation
Within Curve's Collection Summary report:
Collections = Payments − Overpayments − Payment Refunds
Where:
Payments = money received
Overpayments = unapplied funds
Refunds = money returned to patients or insurance
Because overpayments and refunds do not represent collected revenue, they are excluded from the final collection amount.
Why Collections May Not Equal Payments
Collections are based on the net financial impact to Accounts Receivable, not simply the amount of payments received.
Collections may differ because of:
Overpayments
Refunds
Credits
Other payment transactions
Therefore:
Total Payments ≠ Collections
This is expected whenever these transaction types exist during the reporting period.
Collections in the Period Summary Report
The Period Summary presents collections from an Accounts Receivable perspective.
Within the AR Summary section, collections may be represented as:
Collections = Payments + Payments from Account Credit + Payment Refunds + Overpayments
Although displayed differently, the resulting collection total should reconcile with the Collection Summary report.
Comparing Accounts Receivable (Responsible Party Aging)
To compare Accounts Receivable balances, use Curve's Responsible Party Aging Summary report.
Navigate to:
Reports → Financial Reports → Responsible Party Aging Summary
Report Configuration
When comparing AR totals:
Select the same clinic(s) used in Practice by Numbers.
Run the report using today's date.
Compare the totals shown at the bottom of the report.
Compare these totals:
Patient Total
Insurance Total
Total Owing
These values most closely align with Practice by Numbers' current Accounts Receivable balances.
Important: Since Practice by Numbers always reports current AR, the Responsible Party Aging Summary should be run using current data for the most accurate comparison.
Understanding "Account Credits" vs. "Patient Credits"
One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between Account Credits in Curve and Patient Credits in Practice by Numbers.
Although the names are similar, these are different financial metrics and are not expected to match.
Practice by Numbers | Curve Responsible Party Aging |
Patient Credits / Refunds | Account Credit |
Net patient overpayments | Gross unapplied credits, deposits, and prepayments |
Practice by Numbers Patient Credits
Patient Credits represent:
Net overpaid patient balances
Refundable patient credit amounts
Money paid beyond what is currently owed
Curve Account Credits
The Account Credit column on the Responsible Party Aging report includes:
Unapplied credits
Prepayments
Deposits held on patient accounts
These values represent gross account credits rather than refundable patient balances.
Because Curve's Account Credit calculation includes held deposits and unapplied credits differently than Practice by Numbers, these totals will not match.
This is expected behavior and does not indicate a data discrepancy.
Best Practices When Comparing Financial Data
For the most accurate comparison:
Run the AR Daily Sync before reviewing reports.
Use reports located under Curve Hero → Reports → Financial Reports.
Use the same:
Date range (where applicable)
Clinic(s)
Provider(s)
Compare Production, Adjustments, Collections, and AR separately.
Use:
Production Summary
Adjustment Summary
Collection Summary
Period Summary
Responsible Party Aging Summary
Remember that Practice by Numbers always displays current Accounts Receivable, not historical balances.
Do not compare Curve Account Credits to Practice by Numbers Patient Credits, as these metrics are calculated differently.
Need Additional Assistance?
If discrepancies remain after verifying:
AR Daily Sync completion
Date range
Clinic(s)
Provider(s)
Correct Curve report
Responsible Party Aging totals
Please contact the Practice by Numbers Support Team and include:
Report name
Date range
Clinic(s) selected
Screenshots of the Curve report
Screenshots of the corresponding Practice by Numbers metrics
Providing this information allows our Support Team to investigate more efficiently and determine whether the difference is expected or requires further review.