Add a new account from a transaction

Company Settings 1 min read Updated Aug 14, 2026
On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Steps
  3. What happens next
  4. Troubleshooting
  5. Related

If the account you need is missing while you are coding a transaction, create it from the transaction row. The account is added to the client’s chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online.

Before you start

  • Accountants can always do this. Client users only see the plus button if the accountant turns on Client Settings → Category on the company’s General settings tab.
  • Accounts you have hidden with Exclude accounts from category list will not appear in the picker even after they exist.

Steps

  1. In the left sidebar, open Bookkeeping and click the company name to open its transactions.

    A1A Car Wash company name in the Bookkeeping list

  2. Find the transaction and click the green + next to the Account picker.

    Green plus button beside the Account picker on the first transaction row

  3. Type a clear name in Name, for example Detailing Supplies.

    Name field of the Create a new account window filled in with Detailing Supplies

  4. Choose a Classification: Asset, Liability, Equity, Revenue or Expense.

    Classification drop-down listing Asset, Liability, Equity, Revenue and Expense

  5. Choose an Account type. The choices depend on the classification you picked — an Expense account offers Expense, Other Expense and Cost of Goods Sold.

    Account type drop-down listing Expense, Other Expense and Cost of Goods Sold

  6. Check the Account subtype. Debits fills in the QuickBooks default for the type you chose; change it if it is not right.

    Account subtype field pre-filled with Travel

  7. Click Create, then click Approve or Save on the transaction row to send the change to QuickBooks Online.

    Create button at the bottom of the Create a new account window

What happens next

  • A New Account Created message confirms the account was written to QuickBooks Online.
  • The new account is selected on the transaction and is available in the Account picker for that company from then on.

Troubleshooting

  • The account does not show up in the picker afterwards. Check that it is not on the company’s Exclude accounts from category list.
  • Create is greyed out. Name, Classification, Account type and Account subtype are all required.
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