is there a field on SO, in a saved search, that shows total deposit amount? or do I have to join to applying transactions and summarize?

customer deposit is applying transaction for SO, so you need to use a join for applying transaction

yes, I was 99% certain that that was the case. Customer deposits are applying on main line level, and I want to show items on sales orders (with 100% prepayment terms) where the sum of the deposit != sum of the sales order amount... guess we will have to do it with suiteql