No matter what product is to be sold or what service is to be offered, starting and operating a small business takes courage, fortitude and lots of planning.

One of the first, and also one of the most serious, accounting mistakes small businesses to make is not creating a cogent, coherent and practical chart of accounts. In fact, some people start a business without even knowing what a chart of accounts is.

The chart of accounts is a numbered list of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses that form the foundation for every transaction a business will make during its existence. It is the framework for all the bookkeeping, accounting and tax reporting the company will be required to perform. Create a proper chart of accounts for your business before you transact any business, or you will regret that you didn’t.

This TechRepublic Premium download comprises two documents. One chart is for a corporation, the other is for a sole proprietorship.

Boost your handling of accounts with our documents. Both are available to download for FREE. Get access to more content with a Premium annual subscription. Click here to find out the details.

TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required six hours of dedicated writing, editing and research.