Chart of Accounts Template
Generate a ready-to-use chart of accounts for your business type. Add, edit, or remove accounts, then download as CSV to import directly into QuickBooks or Xero.
Select your business type to tailor the accounts:
Assets
13
1000–1999
Liabilitys
8
2000–2999
Equitys
4
3000–3999
Incomes
5
4000–4999
Expenses
19
5000–6999
| Number | Account Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Cash – Checking | |
| 1010 | Cash – Savings | |
| 1020 | Petty Cash | |
| 1100 | Accounts Receivable | |
| 1110 | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | |
| 1150 | Work-in-Progress (WIP) | |
| 1200 | Prepaid Expenses | |
| 1300 | Other Current Assets | |
| 1500 | Equipment | |
| 1510 | Accumulated Depreciation – Equipment | |
| 1520 | Furniture & Fixtures | |
| 1530 | Accumulated Depreciation – Furniture | |
| 1600 | Other Long-Term Assets |
| Number | Account Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Accounts Payable | |
| 2100 | Credit Cards Payable | |
| 2200 | Accrued Liabilities | |
| 2300 | Sales Tax Payable | |
| 2400 | Payroll Liabilities | |
| 2500 | Short-Term Loans Payable | |
| 2600 | Long-Term Loans Payable | |
| 2700 | Other Long-Term Liabilities |
| Number | Account Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 3000 | Owner's Equity / Capital | |
| 3100 | Owner's Draw | |
| 3200 | Retained Earnings | |
| 3300 | Current Year Earnings |
| Number | Account Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 4000 | Sales Revenue | |
| 4050 | Service Fees | |
| 4060 | Retainer Revenue | |
| 4100 | Other Income | |
| 4200 | Sales Returns & Allowances |
| Number | Account Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 | Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) | |
| 6000 | Rent / Occupancy | |
| 6010 | Utilities | |
| 6050 | Subcontractor Costs | |
| 6100 | Payroll / Wages | |
| 6110 | Payroll Taxes | |
| 6200 | Advertising & Marketing | |
| 6210 | Website & Software | |
| 6300 | Professional Fees | |
| 6400 | Insurance | |
| 6500 | Office Supplies | |
| 6510 | Postage & Shipping | |
| 6600 | Travel | |
| 6610 | Meals & Entertainment | |
| 6700 | Vehicle / Mileage | |
| 6800 | Depreciation | |
| 6900 | Bank Fees & Interest | |
| 6950 | Taxes & Licenses | |
| 6990 | Miscellaneous Expenses |
Click any row to edit the account number, name, or description. Hover a row and click the trash icon to delete it. Custom accounts are marked with ★.
How to Use This Template
Pick your business type
Choose Service, Retail, Freelancer, E-commerce, or Construction. The template loads a pre-seeded set of accounts matching your industry's typical transactions and Schedule C categories.
Customize your accounts
Add new accounts using the 'Add Account' button. Click any row to edit the number, name, or description inline. Delete any account you don't need. Your total account count updates live.
Download and import
Click 'Download CSV' to get a file you can import into QuickBooks Online or Xero. In QBO: Accounting → Chart of Accounts → Import. In Xero: Accounting → Chart of Accounts → Import Accounts.
What Is a Chart of Accounts?
Your COA is the foundation of clean bookkeeping — and directly shapes how accurate your tax return is.
A chart of accounts is the master list of every category used to record financial transactions in your general ledger. Every dollar you receive or spend gets classified into one of its accounts — keeping your books organized, your reports meaningful, and your tax filing straightforward.
The five account types follow a logical structure recognized by the IRS and every major accounting platform. Assets (what you own), Liabilities (what you owe), and Equity (the net value of the business) appear on your balance sheet. Income and Expenses appear on your profit and loss statement and feed directly into your Schedule C or corporate tax return.
The IRS Schedule C — Profit or Loss from Business — has labeled lines that correspond directly to your COA categories. Line 8 is advertising, Line 15 is insurance, Line 17 is legal and professional services, Line 26 is wages. When your expense accounts mirror Schedule C lines, year-end tax prep takes minutes instead of days.
Assets (1000s)
Cash, receivables, equipment, prepaid expenses — things you own.
Liabilities (2000s)
Accounts payable, credit cards, loans — amounts you owe.
Equity (3000s)
Owner's investment plus retained earnings — net worth of the business.
Income (4000s)
Revenue from sales, services, and other income sources.
COGS (5000s)
Direct costs tied to producing your product or service.
Expenses (6000s)
Overhead: rent, payroll, insurance, marketing, and more.
What's Included in This Template
5 Business Types
Tailored account sets for Service, Retail, Freelancer, E-commerce, and Construction businesses.
Schedule C Mapping
Every expense account includes its corresponding Schedule C line for faster tax filing.
CSV Export
One-click download in the format QuickBooks Online and Xero accept for bulk import.
Full Customization
Add custom accounts, edit any number or name inline, or delete accounts you don't need.
Why a Clean Chart of Accounts Matters
Accurate financial reports
When every transaction is in the right account, your P&L and balance sheet reflect reality. You can see gross margin, expense trends, and cash position at a glance — not just a pile of transactions.
Faster, lower-cost tax prep
Accountants charge by the hour. When your COA maps cleanly to Schedule C, Form 1120, or 1065 lines, tax prep takes hours instead of days. The SBA estimates proper bookkeeping reduces tax prep costs by 30–50%.
Audit-ready from day one
The IRS can request records going back 3–7 years. A well-structured COA means every dollar has a category, a paper trail, and a business purpose. Clean books are your best defense in an audit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official References
Account categories and Schedule C line numbers sourced from official IRS and SBA publications:
- IRS Schedule C (Form 1040) — Profit or Loss from Business
Defines deductible business expense categories used in this template
- IRS Publication 334 — Tax Guide for Small Business
Comprehensive guide to recordkeeping, accounting methods, and deductions
- SBA — Keep Your Business Accounting Records
Small Business Administration guidance on bookkeeping best practices
This template provides a starting framework. Account structures vary by business and accounting method. Consult a licensed CPA for your specific situation.