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Record a barter transaction

by Intuit • Image Alt Text 55
Image Alt Text Updated 5/24/2026 21:31

Learn how to record a barter transaction in QuickBooks Online.

A barter transaction happens when you and your vendor exchange goods and services. To record the exchange, you’d enter an invoice and a bill to record the products or services you’re exchanging. Here’s how.

Step 1: Set up the barter bank account

  • Go to All apps A bunch of numbers and letters on a tile wall., then Accounting, then Chart of accounts (Take me there).

  • Select New to create a new account.

  • Under the Account Type ▼ dropdown, select Bank.

  • Under the Detail Type ▼ dropdown, select Cash on hand.

  • Enter the account name. (ex. Barter Bank Account)

  • Select Save and Close.

Step 2: Create an invoice and receive payment

An icon showing cash and a payment card If you'd like to make it easy for your customers to pay an invoice online, check out QuickBooks Payments rates and apply.

Important: Before entering your barter transaction, make sure you've added your barter partner as a vendor (for the bill) and customer (for the invoice). Since you can’t have the same name in both lists, make one of the names slightly different.If your business operates on a cash basis, the invoice payment and bill payment should both be dated with the same date as the invoice or bill.

Create an invoice

  • Select + Create.

  • Select Invoice.

  • From the Customer ▼ dropdown, select your vendor’s (barter partner) name.

  • Enter all the necessary information.

  • Select Save and Close.

Receive payment for the invoice

  • Select + Create.

  • Select Receive payment.

  • From the Customer ▼ dropdown, select your vendor’s (barter partner) name.
    Note: The details and info from the invoice you’ve created earlier will appear under Outstanding Transactions.

  • Fill in the date and amount.

  • Select the Payment method ▼ dropdown, then Add new.

  • Enter “Barter” in the Name field, then select Save.

  • Select the Deposit to ▼ dropdown, then select your barter bank account.

  • Select Save and close.

Step 3: Enter and pay the bill

Create a bill

  • Select + Create.

  • Select Bill.

  • From the Vendor ▼ dropdown, select your barter partner.

  • Enter all the necessary information.

  • Select Save.

Pay the bill

  • Select + Create.

  • Select Pay bills.

  • From the Payment account ▼ dropdown, select your barter bank account.

  • Select the bill you’ve created earlier.

  • Select Make payment under Balance Due.

  • Enter the amount.

  • Select Save and close.

You now have a record of the exchange. If the exchange of goods isn’t equal in value, the invoice or bill will show a balance due or credit.

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