diff --git a/tests/test_reports_accrual.py b/tests/test_reports_accrual.py
index fc1e197a0d4348edba9aaa243d78b6424318b2a5..c98295905cafd16d4e3cadb51bd05d10f8c82f38 100644
--- a/tests/test_reports_accrual.py
+++ b/tests/test_reports_accrual.py
@@ -510,9 +510,16 @@ def test_outgoing_report(accrual_postings, caplog):
         r'^TOTAL TO PAY: \$280\.00$',
         fr'^AGREEMENT: {contract_url}',
         r'^BEANCOUNT ENTRIES:$',
-        # For each transaction, check for the date line, a metadata, and the
-        # Expenses posting.
-        r'^\s*2010-06-10\s',
+    ])
+    # Find the date line of the first transaction.
+    # For each transaction, check for the date line, a metadata, and the
+    # Expenses posting.
+    for line in output:
+        if not line.isspace():
+            break
+    assert re.match(r'\s*2010-06-10\s', line), \
+        "first entry line did not have expected date"
+    check_output(output, [
         fr'^\s+rt-id: "{rt_id_url}"$',
         r'^\s+Expenses:Services:Legal\s+220\.00 USD$',
         r'^\s*2010-06-10\s',