using account numbers in gnucash

David Carlson david.carlson.417 at gmail.com
Thu Dec 18 22:47:41 EST 2014


On 12/18/2014 9:20 PM, Wm wrote:
> Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:43:51 <549390E7.4040800 at gmail.com>  David Carlson
> <david.carlson.417 at gmail.com>
>
>> On 12/18/2014 6:34 PM, Wm wrote:
>>> Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:58:05
>>> <CALj19FkEa9hAPNXd6h5KnOV3fArg9PXvimE=7n_Ch3M9U+zs=w at mail.gmail.com>
>>> Mark Mason <jmwmason at gmail.com>
>>>
>>>> Hello Gnucash - I am treasurer of a not for profit Community Amateur
>>>> Sports
>>>> Club in UK.  I am just completing two years use of Gnucash.
>>>>
>>>> I want to number the accounts I use, with the purpose of making it
>>>> a bit
>>>> quicker to post entries.
>>>
>>> Not sure I get that, I'll say why, depending on settings:
>>>
>>> if you start entering a transaction you've done before by typing
>>> "refreshments" into the Description gnc should fill in the rest of the
>>> desc and fill in the Transfer bit with what you used last time
>>> (something like Expenses:Refreshments) leaving you to type a number
>>> (the cost of the barrel of fizzy lemonade), press enter and you're
>>> done.
>>>
>>> or
>>>
>>> type a new Desc like "squeaky plimsolls", enter ex(for
>>> expenses):sq(for squeaky) in the Transfer and it should fill it in or
>>> offer to create a new account.
>>>
>>> Where were you expecting numbered accounts to help?  gnc doesn't pay a
>>> lot of attention to Account Codes if that was what you meant by
>>> numbered accounts it behaves better with
>>> Income:Tickets:ParentsDay2013
>>> Expenses:ParentsDay2013:Tent
>>> or whichever way you want to structure your CoA
>>>
>>>> I thought I would be able to enter the account number into the
>>>> transfer box
>>>> - I have not found how to do this.  Please can you advise if this is
>>>> possible?  All the best - Mark Mason
>>>
>>> It is possible but, unless I misunderstand, it is a "I wouldn't start
>>> from there" situation.  Account numbers aren't necessary in gnc though
>>> you can use then for reporting if you want to.
>
>> I use account numbers sparingly for certain asset and liability accounts
>> especially for things that might be paid out of different accounts from
>> time to time.  I followed the general guidelines that are easily found
>> on the internet or even in the Gnucash help such as asset accounts start
>> with 1, liability accounts begin with 2, etc.  For example my primary
>> checking account happens to be 10090, Cash is 12120, one of my credit
>> cards is 20010, from a rather long list that I set up several years ago.
>
> But that makes no sense to me or anyone else unless you are following
> a specific legislative guideline that connects account numbers to
> reporting accounts.  The OP and I are in the UK and I can assure you
> we don't have to use certain account numbers.
>
>> There is no trick to using the numbers other than you need a paper list
>> to use until you memorize the numbers because there is no drop down list
>> to help with entering the account numbers into the account boxes.
>
> OK, I'm going to seriously question why memory is better than just using
> Ex for expense
> In for income
> : to say next part
> and (say)
> F for food
> B for beer
> R for rent
>
>> Initially, you need to show the account number column in the account
>> list window while you are assigning the numbers.  Then, when you enter
>> valid account number into the account box, Gnucash automatically changes
>> the account to the correct name.  This is actually a lot faster than
>> entering a fully qualified account name.
>
> I never enter a fully qualified account name, they just work because I
> use my head rather than someone else's accounting rules when I do
> stuff to my CoA.
>
> If you are using a nationally imposed one you should know that is
> required for reporting rather than use.
>

My account numbering is only for my convenience, nobody else's.  I find
it much easier to enter a six digit number on a numeric keypad than to
enter a sequence of letters separated by colons on a full keyboard. 
What works for you is different, obviously.

David C


More information about the gnucash-user mailing list