Create a company file

When you make entries in your software, that information is stored in a file called a company file.

You can create a company file using the New Company File Assistant. This assistant is a series of interactive windows that guide you through the process of creating a new company file.

note : Do you already have a company file?

If your accountant or consultant has provided you with a company file, or if you want to use a file that you created with a test drive version of this software, you don’t need to create a company file.

Before you start:

 

You need to know…	Description
Your current fiscal year	This is the fiscal year for which you want to start recording transactions in your company file. Note that a fiscal year is represented by the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends. For example, if your fiscal year ends in December 2009, your fiscal year is 2009.
The last month of your fiscal year	This is the month in which your fiscal year ends. For most businesses the last month is December.
Your conversion month	This is the earliest month for which you want to record transactions. For example, if you want to enter transactions dated 1 September or later, your conversion month is September. You cannot enter transactions dated before the conversion month.
The number of accounting periods in your fiscal year	You can choose to have 12 or 13 accounting periods. A 13th period is a period for recording entries which you do not want included in the accounting figures for a particular month. For example, you can use it to record year-end adjustments that are attributed to all months. If in doubt, choose 13 periods.
The default list of accounts that you want to start with	Accounts are the categories that you will allocate each of your transactions to. When you create a company file, you need to select a default list of accounts. You can: • start with an accounts list provided by AccountEdge. You can select a predefined accounts list suitable for your business. • import a list of accounts. You can import an accounts list from another company file or from one that has been provided by your accountant or partner. • build your own list. You can start with an accounts list that has the minimum required accounts and then add to it. Note that you can modify your accounts list after creating your company file.

To create a new company file

1	Start your software. A welcome window appears.

2	Click Create new company file. The introduction page of New Company File Assistant appears.

3	Click Next. The Company Information page appears.

4	Enter your business contact and registration details. If available, also enter your software serial number.

5	Click Next. The Accounting Information page appears.

6	Enter your fiscal year details and conversion month.

tip : Current fiscal year

Remember that this is the fiscal year for which you want to start recording transactions in your company file. It does not need to be the fiscal year that your business is currently operating in.

7	Click Next. A confirmation page appears.

8	Check the fiscal year and conversion month and then click Next. The Accounts List page appears.

9	Select the default accounts list you want to start with.

 

If you choose to...	Continue with...
start with an accounts list provided by	step 10
import a list of accounts	step 12
build your own list	step 12

10	Click Next. An accounts list selection page appears.

11	Select the type of industry and business that best matches your own business.

A suitable accounts list for the business type you selected appears. If you want to print the list, click Print. Later you can tailor the list to meet the needs of your business.

12	Click Next. The Company File page appears.

13	If you want to change you company file name and location:

a	Click Change. The New window appears.

b	Select the required location.

c	If necessary, type a new file name.

d	Click Save. The Conclusion page appears.

e	Continue with step 15.

note : Restricted access to the Program Files folder in Windows Vista

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows Vista. If UAC is active, files saved in the Program Files folder can only be opened by the Windows user who saved the files. If other users need to access your company file, do not save it in this folder. For more information about User Account Control, see Windows help.

14	Click Next. Your company file is created and the Conclusion page appears.

15	Click Command Center to display the Command Center window.

Related topics

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Overview

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Overview

■	Create a company file

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