I think GR IR clearing account should not show any balance at the end of the year. Its simply the routing account kept in SAP to route all the transactions.
For Eg., take a purchase transaction. Stores Dept Receives the Materials and Accounting Dept book for Party liability. Due to this division of work, Stores Dept is responsible only for the Material Receipt and Accounting Dept will be held responsible for the Party liability booking.
Since it is a step be step process, stores dept cant simply give material Debit as SAP asks for corresponding credit. So corresponding credit goes to GR IR A/c. Similarly, Account man cant simply credit the party account as again corresponding Debit will be asked for so Debit goes to GR IR A/c.
This is how the entry passed:
By Stores:
Material A/c Dr.
To GR IR A/c
By Account:
GR IR A/c Dr.
To Party A/c
So, the net effect is GR IR gets cancelled. this is how all the transactions are done thro GR IR. just a sample i've explained.