Your chart of accounts is the spine of your books. Pick your business type below and get a clean, sensible starter chart — copy it, download it as a CSV, and adapt it in QuickBooks® Online.
| Account | Type | What it's for |
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This is a starting point, not a rulebook. A good chart of accounts is as small as possible while still answering the questions you actually ask about your business. Add accounts when a report needs the detail; resist adding one for every little thing. In QuickBooks Online you'll find your chart under Transactions → Chart of accounts (or the gear icon → Chart of accounts), where you can add each account with the type shown above.
Two habits that pay off later: keep naming consistent (pick "Software subscriptions," not three variations of it), and don't delete default accounts QuickBooks relies on — like Undeposited Funds/Payments to deposit — even if you rarely touch them.
This tool is free forever — no account needed. When you're ready to actually master the books, create a free account (no card required) and get Module 1, the free Learning Path, and sample practice questions. Upgrade only if and when you want the full system.