A chart of accounts (COA) is a created list of the accounts used by a business entity to define each class of items for which money or the equivalent is spent or received. It is used to organize the finances of the entity and to segregate expenditures, revenue, assets and liabilities in order to give interested parties a better understanding of the financial health of the entity.

The list can be numerical, alphabetic, or alpha-numeric. The structure and headings of accounts should assist in consistent posting of transactions. Each nominal ledger account is unique to allow its ledger to be located. The list is typically arranged in the order of the customary appearance of accounts in the financial statements, balance sheet accounts followed by profit and loss accounts.

Each account in the chart of accounts is typically assigned a name and a unique number by which it can be identified. (Software for some small businesses may not require account numbers.) Account numbers are often five or more digits in length with each digit representing a division of the company, the department, the type of account, etc.

As you will see, the first digit might signify if the account is an asset, liability, etc. For example, if the first digit is a "1" it is an asset. If the first digit is a "5" it is an operating expense.A gap between account numbers allows for adding accounts in the future.

Within the chart of accounts you will find that the accounts are typically listed in the following order:

	Balance sheet accounts	Assets Liabilities Owner's (Stockholders') Equity
	Income statement accounts	Operating Revenues Operating Expenses Non-operating Revenues and Gains Non-operating Expenses and Losses

Within the categories of operating revenues and operating expenses, accounts might be further organized by business function (such as producing, selling, administrative, financing) and/or by company divisions, product lines, etc.

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Each account in the chart of accounts is typically assigned a name and a unique number by which it can be identified. (Software for some small businesses may not require account numbers.) Account numbers are often five or more digits in length with each digit representing a division of the company, the department, the type of account, etc.

As you will see, the first digit might signify if the account is an asset, liability, etc. For example, if the first digit is a "1" it is an asset. If the first digit is a "5" it is an operating expense.

A gap between account numbers allows for adding accounts in the future. The following is a partial listing of a sample chart of accounts.

Current Assets (account numbers 10000 - 16999)

10100   Cash - Regular Checking
10200   Cash - Payroll Checking
10600   Petty Cash Fund
12100   Accounts Receivable
12500   Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
13100   Inventory
14100   Supplies
15300   Prepaid Insurance

Property, Plant, and Equipment (account numbers 17000 - 18999)

17000   Land
17100   Buildings
17300   Equipment
17800   Vehicles
18100   Accumulated Depreciation - Buildings
18300   Accumulated Depreciation - Equipment
18800   Accumulated Depreciation - Vehicles

Current Liabilities (account numbers 20000 - 24999)

20100   Notes Payable - Credit Line #1
20200   Notes Payable - Credit Line #2
21000   Accounts Payable
22100   Wages Payable
23100   Interest Payable
24500   Unearned Revenues

Long-term Liabilities (account numbers 25000 - 26999)

25100   Mortgage Loan Payable
25600   Bonds Payable
25650   Discount on Bonds Payable

Stockholders' Equity (account numbers 27000 - 29999)

27100 Common Stock, No Par
27500 Retained Earnings
29500 Treasury Stock

Operating Revenues (account numbers 30000 - 39999)

31010   Sales - Division #1, Product Line 010
31022   Sales - Division #1, Product Line 022
32015   Sales - Division #2, Product Line 015
33110   Sales - Division #3, Product Line 110

Cost of Goods Sold (account numbers 40000 - 49999)

41010   COGS - Division #1, Product Line 010
41022   COGS - Division #1, Product Line 022
42015   COGS - Division #2, Product Line 015
43110   COGS - Division #3, Product Line 110

Marketing Expenses (account numbers 50000 - 50999)

50100   Marketing Dept. Salaries
50150   Marketing Dept. Payroll Taxes
50200   Marketing Dept. Supplies
50600   Marketing Dept. Telephone

Payroll Dept. Expenses (account numbers 59000 - 59999)

59100   Payroll Dept. Salaries
59150   Payroll Dept. Payroll Taxes
59200   Payroll Dept. Supplies
59600   Payroll Dept. Telephone

Other (account numbers 90000 - 99999)

91800   Gain on Sale of Assets
96100   Loss on Sale of Assets

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