Account Structure and Reporting before data is inputted

Thank you for posting, @JN816.

QuickBooks Online (QBO) doesn’t have a specific report that will include accounts with zero balances. As a workaround, you can run two reports, such as Accounts List and Profit and Loss, to compare which accounts have a zero balance.

The Account List report shows accounts with zero balances except for expense and income. While the Profit and Loss report show expense and income accounts balances, not including those with zero.

1. Go to Reports.
2. Type in Account List or Profit and Loss in the search field and click on it to open.
3. Click the Export icon and select Export to Excel.

I've added some screenshots below so you'll know what I'm referring to.

Here's an article just in case you want to customize reports in QBO: Customize Reports in QuickBooks Online. This link provides detailed steps of ways to filter and format the report.

Please don't hesitate to drop a comment below if you have further questions. We're here to help. Have a great day!

---

@JN816 wrote:

I'm working on setting up a new company in Quickbooks. I have a good understanding of how to create the chart of accounts and how to assign sub-accounts to parent accounts. My question is how can I see this account structure in our reports to ensure that once data flows in it will appear as the company wants to see it? Is there a way to see reports that include all accounts with 0 balances?

---

@JN816 

Run the following two standard reports:

1. Balance Sheet
2. Profit and Loss

Under "Show non-zero or active only" header, select ALL radio button on both Rows and Columns. That should give you the report format you want. See the screenshot below for reference.

I have the same question, which neither of the replies addressed.  When I run a P&L in QBOA, I see that QBO lumps all expenses under one major heading called GENERAL AND ADMIN EXPENSES, which is not useful.  How can I classify accounts so I get the headings that my Director wants to see (e.g., PERSONNEL EXPENSES, BUILDING-RELATED EXPENSES, etc.)?  I don't see a parameter on the Account edit screen that allows me to do this.

Thanks.

Hi there, gstuart.

It could be the expense transactions are not categorized properly. That's why the system shows all expenses under one major heading called General and admin expenses. That said, I'd suggest making sure that all your transactions are categorized into an appropriate account in the Chart of accounts.

You can click this article on how you can find transactions in your account registers so you can review or edit them: Find, review, and edit transactions in account registers.

Then, you'll need to create another Expense account so you're able to select and get the information that you want to have.

Please know that you're always welcome to post if you have any other concerns. Wishing you and your business continued success.