Click here to Download a file that will create a fully configured Chart of Accounts in a your new QuickBooks 2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008 Company file consistent with the "Uniform System of Accounts" for Restaurants. Scroll down for information on our Restaurant Operators Complete Guide to QuickBooks.

Note: the download file is an executable WinZip file which, when "unzipped" will produce the file that you will import into QuickBooks (the import file is named COA_Restaurant.iif).  The download file should first be saved to your computer's hard drive, and then "unzipped" by double clicking on it. Follow the directions from the "WinZip Self Extraction Utility" window that will appear when you proceed.

Once the file is unzipped, open the QuickBooks software and follow the directions below to 1) Create a new QuickBooks company file, and 2) Import the .iif file into QuickBooks thereby creating your Chart of Accounts in this newly created file:

DIRECTIONS FOR QUICKBOOKS 2005 Users:

1. From the Menu Bar select File...New Company.

2. From the EasyStep Interview window select "Next"

3. Click "Next" from the screen that asks if you need assistance in up setting up QuickBooks.

4. Continue with the Interview Process as it asks you to enter your Company Name, Address and other basic information.

5. When you reach the screen that asks you to enter your Business Type simply select "Other"

6. Continue moving forward with the interview till you are asked to create a filename for your Restaurant. This is the name of the file only and not necessarily your restaurant's name. It can be abbreviated if you like.

7. As soon as QuickBooks creates your new company file you should Leave the interview. Do not enter any new account names if prompted to do so.

8. Based on the procedure above, QuickBooks will have created a new company file with the minimum number of accounts that it requires to do so.

9. Now you can "Import" the .IIF file that you have unzipped (The Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants) into this new QB company file

10. To do this simply open your new file by going to the QuickBooks Menu Bar and selecting File...Open Company File (select your newly created file name)

11. Now select File...Import...IIF files

12. The Import Window will open and from the small "Look in" window select the location on your computer's hard drive (or external drive) where the downloaded .IIF file has been placed (when you unzipped it).

13. From there select the .IIF file name which is "COA Restaurant.iif" and double click.

14. The file will be imported and your new QuickBooks company file is now ready to use.

DIRECTIONS FOR QUICKBOOKS 2006 Users:

1. From the Menu Bar select File...New Company.

2. From the EasyStep Interview window select "Skip Interview"

3. Fill in appropriate company information from the Creating New Company window and click "Next"

4. From the list of company types select "(No Type)" which will automatically produce "(No Accounts)"  in the adjacent window and then click "Next"

5. From the File Name for New Company window create your new company's file name and Save

6. QuickBooks will create your new company file and open it when the process has finished

7. Now you can "Import" the .IIF file that you have unzipped (The Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants) into this new QuickBooks company file

8. From the Menu Bar select File...Utilities...Import...IIF files

9. The Import Window will open and from the small "Look in" window select the location on your computer's hard drive (or external drive) where the downloaded .IIF file has been placed (when you unzipped it).

10. From there select the .IIF file name which is "COA Restaurant.iif" and double click.

11. The file will be imported and your new QuickBooks company file is now ready to use.

DIRECTIONS FOR QUICKBOOKS 2007/2008 Users:

1. From the Menu Bar select File...New Company.

2. Click on the Skip Interview box

3. From the "Enter Your Company Information" screen input the name of the restaurant and any other information that is readily available to you (you can return to this window later). When finished click "Next"

4. Now select the proper  the legal structure of your business in the "How is your company organized?" window and then click "Next"

5. Select the fiscal year start month (e.g. most likely January) and click "Next"

6. From the drop down window in the "Select your industry" window select "Other/None" (bottom of the list) and then click "Next

7. Now click on the "Finish" button in the "Create your company file" window. Make sure to note the location on your hard drive that the file is being saved to. The default location for QB 2007 has changed from previous versions and is My Computer/Shared Documents/Intuit/QuickBooks. Click on the "Save" button.
    

8. Now you can "Import" the .IIF file that you have unzipped (The Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants) into this new QB company file.
    

9. From the QuickBooks Menu Bar select File...Utilities..Import...IIF Files

10. The Import Window will open and from the small "Look in" window select the location on your computer's hard drive (or external drive) where the downloaded .IIF file has been placed (when you unzipped it).

11. From there select the .IIF file name which is "COA Restaurant.iif" and double click.

12. The file will be imported and your new QuickBooks company file is now ready to use. You should see a message that reads "Your data has been imported"

Note: In order to insure that you new Chart of Accounts functions in the way it was intended be sure to activate the QuickBooks account numbering option using QuickBooks Preferences (from the Menu Bar select Edit...Preferences. Now select the Accounting icon on the left side of the Preference Screen and then select the Company Preferences Tab. Check the box that reads "Use Account Numbers". Also check the box directly below that reads "Show lowest subaccount only")

Restaurant Operators
Complete Guide to QuickBooks, 2nd Edition

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