Free Chart of Accounts Templates by Industry

Download a ready-to-use, QuickBooks-friendly chart of accounts built for your industry — 32 small-business templates, free, in CSV format.

Whether you run a restaurant, e-commerce store, construction company, law firm, or salon, a clean chart of accounts is the foundation of accurate bookkeeping. Pick your industry below to preview the full account list and download the template for QuickBooks Online or Excel.

Select an industry above to preview its chart of accounts.
▲  Select your industry above, then grab its free template right here.

How to import this chart of accounts into QuickBooks Online

  1. In QuickBooks Online, go to Settings (gear) → Import data → Chart of Accounts.
  2. Upload the CSV file you downloaded here.
  3. Map the columns: Account Number, Account Name, and Type.
  4. QuickBooks will prompt you to confirm a Detail Type for each account — choose the closest match it suggests.
  5. Review the preview and click Import.
Use as a starting point. These templates follow standard small-business accounting structure, but every business is different. Review and adjust the accounts for your situation — or let Accountlet set it up correctly for you. QuickBooks' import screens change periodically; confirm the current steps in QuickBooks if they differ.

Don't want to build your books from scratch?

Accountlet sets up your chart of accounts, connects your bank feeds, and keeps your books accurate every month — so you get clean, tax-ready financials without the DIY. Plans start at $349/month.

Get Started →

Chart of accounts FAQ

What is a chart of accounts?

A chart of accounts is the organized list of every account your business uses to record transactions — assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses. It's the backbone of your bookkeeping and determines how your financial reports are structured.

How do I import a chart of accounts into QuickBooks Online?

Go to Settings → Import data → Chart of Accounts, upload the CSV, map the Account Number, Name, and Type columns, confirm each Detail Type, and import. Full steps are above.

What accounts should my industry's chart of accounts include?

It depends on your industry. A restaurant needs food and beverage COGS and tips tracking; a contractor needs job-costing and retainage accounts; an e-commerce store needs merchant fees and inventory. Each template above is tailored to its industry's common accounts.

Are these chart of accounts templates free?

Yes. Every industry template is free to download in CSV format. Enter your email and the file downloads immediately.

Can Accountlet set up my chart of accounts for me?

Yes — chart of accounts setup is part of onboarding for every Accountlet bookkeeping plan. We build it correctly for your industry and keep your books accurate every month. Get started here.