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How to create chart of accounts templates in Intuit Accountant Suite
Learn how to create a chart of accounts templates in Intuit Accountant Suite and apply them to your clients' QuickBooks Online companies.
Accountants and bookkeepers can use templates to set up a chart of accounts for new or existing clients in minutes. Templates give each client a standard set of accounts, so you can focus on helpful insights and accurate reports from the start.
| Note: If your firm hasn't moved to Intuit Accountant Suite yet, follow the steps in Create a chart of accounts from a template in QuickBooks Online Accountant. |
This video will go over how to set up a template for the Chart of Accounts and apply it to a client’s QuickBooks company.
Where to find your templates
Go to My menu, then select COA Templates.
From the COA Templates page, you can create new templates, import existing ones, and apply templates to your clients.
Create a template
Select Create template.
Choose the type of business you want to create a template for, start with a Blank template, or import an existing template. Then select Next.
Name the template.
If you use account numbers, turn on Show account numbers.
To keep accounts from being selected in forms and transactions, turn on Lock accounts. This is optional, and you can turn it off at any time.
| Note: Locking accounts helps prevent incorrect posting. Features and apps that automatically post transactions to a locked account will continue to do so. Locked accounts import as locked in every client company where you apply the template. |
Add accounts to your template
Select Add account or New account, then name the account.
Select the Account Type and a Detail Type.
For more detailed reporting, select New subaccount, name the subaccount, then select its Detail Type. The account type fills in automatically.
To remove an account, select the delete icon next to it.
When you're done adding accounts, select Finish.
| Note: If you delete a parent account, you'll also delete its subaccounts. |
Apply a template to a client
Find the template you want to use, then select Apply Template.
Select a client.
If you want to customize any accounts for this client, make your changes. You can also lock or unlock accounts here.
Select Apply.
Your client's chart of accounts now includes all of the accounts and subaccounts from the template.
| Note: Applying a template won't delete any accounts already on your client's chart of accounts. All existing accounts stay in place, including default accounts like Accounts Receivable (A/R) and Accounts Payable (A/P). Accounts created from a template don't count toward usage limits. |
Will applying a template duplicate accounts?
No. If your client already has an account with the same name as one on the template, QuickBooks keeps the account they already have.
Can I share templates with another firm?
No. If you have multiple Intuit Accountant Suite firms or instances, you can't export or share templates between them. All users with the right access permissions can use the same set of templates within one firm instance.
Edit, duplicate, or delete a template
Find the template on the COA Templates page, then select the Action dropdown.
Select Edit, make your changes, then select Finish.
To copy a template, select Duplicate. To remove one, select Delete.
| Note: Editing a template won't change the chart of accounts for clients you've already applied it to.Once you delete a template, it's gone for good and can't be restored. |
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