Chart of Accounts Template

The chart of accounts is the foundation of your bookkeeping. This template gives you a standard structure that maps cleanly into QuickBooks, Xero, or any accounting system.

Why this matters

The chart of accounts (COA) is the master list of every account you use to record transactions. It determines how your P&L, Balance Sheet, and every report you'll ever look at is organized.

A good COA has enough detail to answer real questions ('how much did we spend on software this quarter?') but not so much detail that data entry becomes painful.

Once you start recording transactions, changing your COA gets messy fast. Get it right at setup, then leave it alone unless you have a real reason to change it.

How to use it

Review the pre-built list and remove any accounts that don't apply to your business.
Add industry-specific accounts you need (e.g. a restaurant might add 'Food Cost' and 'Beverage Cost' under COGS).
Keep account numbering ranges intact: 1000s Assets, 2000s Liabilities, 3000s Equity, 4000s Income, 5000s COGS, 6000-9000s Expenses.
Import the list into QuickBooks, Xero, or your accounting system.
Train anyone entering transactions on the correct account for each type of activity.
Review the list annually, remove unused accounts and add any that have accumulated as 'Ask My Accountant' entries.