# Choosing Your Client's Setup Method When setting up a new client in **Digits**, you can choose how to initialize their books — start fresh, import from **QuickBooks**, or migrate data from another platform. Your chosen setup method determines how Digits builds your client’s **Category Manager**, which serves as their **Chart of Accounts** — the structure that defines how transactions are categorized and reported throughout the product. *** ### Why Your COA Strategy Matters Your Chart of Accounts (COA) determines how Digits classifies transactions, reports financials, and automates bookkeeping for your clients.\ Choosing the right setup path ensures accuracy from day one and minimizes cleanup later. {% hint style="success" %} **Tip:** Always finalize your Chart of Accounts setup before connecting banks or apps. This ensures transactions map to the correct categories automatically. {% endhint %} ***
OptionsChoose this option if:
Start Fresh with Digits

Create a clean, standardized Chart of Accounts automatically when you start fresh with Digits.
✨ Digits analyzes your client’s data and generates a complete category structure that fits modern bookkeeping standards — no manual setup required.

It’s ideal for:

  • New clients without existing books
  • Firms that want a consistent setup across all clients
  • Businesses with outdated or inconsistent account structures

Digits suggests categories you can edit, rename, or remove at any time, giving you full control while starting from a solid foundation.

Next Step: → /spaces/P19jknnpoCfbiUsJMprZ/pages/Y275DcnhbDODiZKMzi6p

Migrate from QuickBooks

If your client uses QuickBooks, you can import their existing Chart of Accounts during setup.

  • Digits automatically maps categories from QuickBooks, saving time and reducing errors.
  • This option preserves your client’s historical naming and category structure.
  • Best when you want to maintain continuity and minimize rework.

⚠️ Warning: QuickBooks migration is only available during initial client setup. Complete this step before connecting any accounts.

Next Step: → /pages/7aFu0kI6avz1WZVlY9un

Upload a Custom Chart of Accounts (Non-Quickbooks)

If your client’s books live in another system — like Xero, Pilot, Puzzle, or Excel — import them manually using Digits’ CSV template.

  • Import a CSV version of your client’s current Chart of Accounts using Digits’ import template.
  • Include category names, types, and optional numbers to match your preferred structure.
  • Upload the CSV before connecting banks or apps to ensure transactions map correctly.

Best Practice: If your firm uses a standardized COA, save it as a master CSV. You can reuse this file for future clients to ensure consistency across your firm.

Next Step: → /spaces/uIztBwoMl2RW5oGzS0cZ/pages/piMFd9vh6tWkTohXcRGX

*** ### Frequently Asked Questions
Which setup method is best for my client? If they already use QuickBooks, import their existing COA. If not, start fresh or upload a custom CSV.
Can I reuse the same COA across clients? Yes — keep a master CSV for your firm and upload it during each new client setup.
Should I connect banks before or after setting up my COA? After. Connecting accounts first can cause mismatched transaction categories.
Can I edit my COA later? Absolutely. Use [Category Manager](/firms-agentic-general-ledger/category-manager.md) anytime to adjust, merge, or deactivate categories.
Does Digits automatically map imported categories? Yes. :sparkles: Digits automatically maps imported categories to align with your client’s transaction data.
Can I start with a clean, standardized COA? Yes. Choose Start Fresh with Digits to auto-generate a modern, editable structure.
I’m moving from Xero, Pilot, or Excel — what should I do? See: [Migrate to Digits from Xero, Puzzle, or Another Platform](/firms-getting-started/migrate-to-digits.md)
Do you have a list of the complete gifted COA? Yes! Below is the full list. Keep in mind that while this is the full list, Digits will only show categories that have been used for a transaction.
NumberCategory
10000Assets
11000Bank Accounts
11500Asset Clearing
11510Invoice Clearing
11520Digits - Invoice Clearing
12000Accounts Receivable
12010Accounts Receivable - Gross
12020Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
12500Accrued Revenue
13000Prepaid Expenses
13010Prepaid Benefits
13020Prepaid Rent
13030Prepaid Insurance
13040Other Prepaid Expenses
13500Inventory
13510Raw Materials
13520Work in Progress
13530Finished Goods
14000Investments
14500Shareholder Loans
15000Other Current Assets
15010Security Deposits
15020Current Tax Assets
15030Other Current Assets
15999Uncategorized Assets
16000Fixed Assets
16100Computer Assets
16150Accumulated Depreciation - Computer Assets
16200Furniture & Fixtures
16250Accumulated Depreciation - Furniture & Fixtures
16300Other Fixed Assets
16350Accumulated Depreciation - Other Fixed Assets
17000Intangible Assets
17100Domain Names
17150Accumulated Amortization - Domain Names
17200Patents & Trademarks
17250Accumulated Amortization - Patents & Trademarks
17300Research & Development
17350Accumulated Amortization - Research & Development
17400Leasehold Improvements
17450Accumulated Amortization - Leasehold Improvements
17500Other Intangible Assets
17550Accumulated Amortization - Other Intangible Assets
18000Goodwill
19999Other Long-term Assets
20000Liabilities
21000Accounts Payable
22000Credit Cards
23000Liability Clearing
23100Employee Reimbursements Clearing
23200Payroll Clearing
23300Bill Pay Clearing
23400Digits - Bill Pay Clearing
24000Accrued Expenses
24500Deferred Revenue
25000Other Current Liabilities
25010Benefits Payable
25020Income Taxes Payable
25030Sales Tax Payable
25040Payroll Tax Payable
25050Payroll Deductions Liability
25060Uncategorized Liabilities
25500Short-term Debt
26000Convertible Notes
26100Convertible Notes - Principal
26200Convertible Notes - Accrued Interest
27000Long-term Debt
28000Other Long-term Liabilities
30000Equity
31000Common Stock
32000Preferred Stock
33000SAFE
34000Owner's Equity
34100Owner's Contributions
34200Owner's Draws
35000Treasury Stock
36000Additional Paid In Capital
37000Other Comprehensive Income
38000Retained Earnings
39999Uncategorized Equity
40000Revenue
41000Sales Revenue
42000Subscription Revenue
43000Transaction Revenue
44000Partner Revenue
45000Refunds and Discounts
49999Uncategorized Income
50000Cost of Revenue
51000Cost of Labor
52000Cost of Goods
53000Payment Processing Fees
54000Hosting Fees
55000Other Cost of Revenue
60000Operating Expenses
61000Payroll Expenses
61100Salaries
61200Bonuses
61300Commissions
61400Employee Benefits
61410Health Insurance
61420Retirement Contributions
61500Employer Payroll Taxes
61600Payroll Processing Fees
61700Recruiting Costs
61800Other Employee Costs
62000Travel & Entertainment
62100Airfare
62200Ground Transportation
62300Lodging
62400Meals
62500Entertainment
62600Other Travel & Entertainment
63000Professional Fees
63100Consultants and Contractors
63200Legal
63300Tax & Accounting
63400Other Professional Fees
64000Sales and Marketing
64100Advertising
64200Conference and Trade Shows
64300Promotional Items and Gifts
64400Other Sales & Marketing
65000Business Applications & Software
66000Facilities
66100Rent
66200Utilities
66300Repairs and Maintenance
66400Other Facilities Expenses
67000Supplies & Materials
67100Computers Expense
67200Office Supplies
67300Other Supplies & Materials
68000General Operations
68100Memberships & Dues
68200Insurance
68300Bank Fees
68400Other General Operations
69000Bad Debt Expense
69999Uncategorized Expense
80000Other Income
81000Interest and Dividends
82000Credit Card Rewards
83000Other Miscellaneous Income
90000Other Expenses
91000Depreciation & Amortization
91100Fixed Assets Depreciation
91200Intangibles Amortization
93000Interest Expense
94000Taxes
95000Other Miscellaneous Expenses
Is the auto-generated Chart of Accounts GAAP compliant? Digits’ auto-generated COA is GAAP-aligned in structure, but GAAP compliance depends on how entries are recorded (depreciation, accruals, adjusting entries).\ If you have a preferred GAAP template (by industry/firm standard), you can import your own COA via CSV.
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