Creating a custom account tree (example)

This article is an example of how to create a custom account tree.

In this article, we demonstrate how to make a custom account tree for a summarized Income Statement. Instead of showing each account, the report will display totals for different kinds of income and expenses.

Here's how the tree will look when it's done:

Each account in the tree (except for the headers and totals) is linked to multiple GL accounts. For example, the Rental Income account is linked to 11 different GL accounts.

Here's a report that uses the tree.

Go to Admin > Account Trees.

Click Add New.

In the How will this tree be built section, select New Structure.

Click Continue. The tree appears in edit mode and has only one section.

Complete the top part of the screen--enter a Code and a Description for the new tree.

In the bottom half of the screen, delete the New Account by clicking the trash can icon. At the top level, we are going to add sections, not accounts.

Click the Plus icon in the New Header row.

The screen displays two buttons below the row: Add Section and Add Account.

Click Add Section twice. (The new tree will have two sections: one for income accounts and one for expense accounts.)

The tree now looks like this:

In each section, add two more accounts. (Click the Plus icon in the header rows and click Add Account twice.)

Click Save. Now the account tree looks like this:

The structure is now complete.

For each account, enter the number and the name.

Click the Negate icon for all the Income accounts.

Click the Bold icon for all the Header and Total accounts.

Click Save. Now the account tree looks like this:

For each account (except headers and totals), click the Linked Accounts button.

Select the appropriate accounts for the summary account.

Repeat this process for each of the accounts in the tree (except for headers and totals).

The custom account tree is now complete and can be used to generate reports.