# Add an account

Create an account with a unique code, an account type, and an optional parent account.

Canonical: https://demo.qixcount.com/help/accounts-and-journals/add-an-account

Who can do this: Owners, or people with *Create accounts* and *View chart of accounts*

Where: Books, then Chart of accounts

You'll need: Advanced accounting turned on in Features

Add an account when you need another category in your chart of accounts. Creating an account does not create a journal entry or an opening balance.

## Create the account

1. Open **Books**, then **Chart of accounts**.
2. Select **New Account**.
3. Under **Choose Account Type**, select the account's category.
4. Enter a unique **Account Code**, up to 20 characters.
5. Enter an **Account Name**, up to 255 characters.
6. Select an optional **Detail Type** from the choices for that category.
7. Select an optional **Parent Account** to create a sub-account. The create form lists active top-level accounts and filters them to your selected type.
8. Enter an optional **Description**, up to 500 characters.
9. Choose whether **Active** is on. It is on by default.
10. Select **Create Account**.

![Create account form with account type choices and account details](https://demo.qixcount.com/images/help/accounts-create.webp)

To save this account and return to a blank form, select **Create & Add Another** in the last step instead.

## What happens next

QixCount saves the account and returns to the chart. Active accounts are available when you create a manual journal. QixCount sets the account's normal balance from its type and detail type when it is created; see [account types and normal balances](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/accounts-and-journals/account-types-and-normal-balances).

Next, [create a journal entry](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/accounts-and-journals/create-a-journal-entry) or [edit an account](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/accounts-and-journals/edit-or-deactivate-an-account).

## Troubleshooting

If the code is already used, enter a different code. A detail type must belong to the selected account type. Selecting a new type changes the available detail types.

To add accounts from CSV, [import a chart of accounts](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/moving-to-qixcount/import-a-chart-of-accounts).

## Who can do this and what you need

Owners can create accounts. Other active business users need **Create accounts** permission and **View chart of accounts** to return to the list. Assigned accountants from an approved firm have both permissions.

If **Chart of accounts** isn't in the sidebar, someone with settings access can turn on **Advanced accounting** in [Features](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/setup/features-and-presets).