# How to add an account to the chart of accounts in Snad

To add an account in Snad ERP, open **Accounting**, then **Accounts**, and press **Create main account**. Enter the **Name**, choose the **Account type** and **Budget group**, add sub-account names if you like, then press **Save**.

## Before you start

- The Accounting app in your plan, and permission to view and create accounts for your user.
- A decision on where the account sits in the tree: a new main account, or a sub-account under an existing one.

## Steps

1. **Open the accounts list.** In the sidebar, choose **Accounting**, then **Accounts**. The tree opens, with the **Create main account** button above it. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts#adv-search)

   ![The Snad chart of accounts with the Create main account button above it](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/nav-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Accounts** in the sidebar · (2) The **Create main account** button

2. **Name the account.** Press **Create main account** and enter the **Name**, which is required, with at least 3 characters.

   ![The Create main account window after typing the account name](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/dialog-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Name** (required)

3. **Choose type and budget group.** Choose the **Account type** from Assets, Capital, Liabilities, Revenue, Expenses or Stock, then the **Budget group** it belongs to. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts#adv-type)

   ![The account type list open in the Create main account window](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/type-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **Account type** · (2) **Budget group**

4. **Add the sub-accounts.** To create sub-accounts with it, tick **As parent**, press **Add** for each one, and type its name. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts#adv-main-is-group)

   ![The Create main account window with the list of sub-account names](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/children-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) **As parent** · (2) The **Add** button · (3) A sub-account name

5. **Save the account.** Press **Save**. The window closes, and the new account shows in the tree. Click its arrow to open its sub-accounts.

   ![The chart of accounts with the new account and its sub-accounts](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/created-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The new account with its type and budget group · (2) Its sub-accounts

6. **Add a sub-account to an existing account.** Open the ⋯ menu on the account row and choose **Create sub account**. Add the names with **Add**, then press **Save**. [Details](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts#adv-edit)

   ![The Create sub account window opened from the Actions menu on an account row](https://www.snad.io/images/guide/chart-of-accounts/sub-account-en.webp)

   Image key: (1) The sub-account name · (2) The **Add** button

## Messages that block saving

| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|

## Advanced details

### Account type and budget group

Reports read the account by its type and budget group, so choose with care. You can change both later from the update window.

Sub-accounts inherit the parent's type and budget group, so you aren't asked for them when adding.

The reports that read these accounts: the [trial balance](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/trial-balance), the [income statement](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/income-statement) and the [balance sheet](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/balance-sheet).

### A main account is a group

A main account created from this screen is always a group that holds sub-accounts. The account pickers in entries and vouchers list the sub-accounts, not the groups.

So add at least one sub-account under each main account, then use it in a [journal entry](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry) or a [receipt voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-receipt-voucher).

You enter starting balances next: [opening balances](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/opening-balances).

### Edit and move an account

Click an account row that has nothing under it, or choose **Update** from the ⋯ menu, to open a window where you edit the **Name**, **Account type**, **Budget group** and **Parent account**.

Choosing a new **Parent account** moves the account and its sub-accounts under it, and they take its type and budget group. If the type differs from the new parent's, Snad shows a warning before you save.

The six accounts the organization settings point at, and their direct sub-accounts, stay in place, so no ⋯ menu shows on their rows.

You change an account's position by dragging: press and hold the row, then drag it, or drag it sideways to change its level. This needs permission to edit accounts, and an empty search box.

### Customer and supplier accounts

Each customer and supplier has an account in the tree. Renaming the account here renames the customer or supplier too, and no sub-account can be added under it.

Create these from the party's own page: [create a customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) and [create a supplier](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-supplier).

### Deleting an account

Choose **Delete** from the ⋯ menu on the row, then confirm. Deleting a main account deletes all its sub-accounts with it.

An account with recorded transactions (entries, vouchers, invoices or a balance) can't be deleted, nor one linked to an [employee](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/add-employee), [warehouse](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/add-warehouse), branch or the organization settings. A message names the account that blocks it.

Deleting a customer's or supplier's account also deletes that customer or supplier, and it is refused if they have documents or a balance.

If an account in the tree is tied to system settings, see [accounting settings](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/accounting-settings).

### Searching the tree

The **Search** field above the tree filters accounts by name and keeps their parents visible. Click an account's arrow to open or fold its branches.

### No Create main account button?

The button shows only to users allowed to create accounts. Ask your Snad account admin to grant it: [roles and permissions](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/roles-permissions).

## Common questions

### How do I add a new account to the chart of accounts?

Open **Accounting**, then **Accounts**, and press **Create main account**. Enter the **Name**, choose the **Account type** and **Budget group**, then press **Save**.

### How do I create a sub-account under an existing account?

Open the ⋯ menu on the account row, choose **Create sub account**, type the name after **Add**, then press **Save**.

### Can I add several sub-accounts at once?

Yes. Press **Add** for each name in the same window, then **Save** once.

### Why doesn't my main account show when I record an entry?

Because a main account is a group, and the account pickers list sub-accounts. Add a sub-account under it and use that.

### Can I change an account's type after creating it?

Yes, from **Update** in the ⋯ menu. Its sub-accounts take the same type and budget group.

## Read next

- [Enter opening balances](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/opening-balances) — Enter your accounts' opening balances in Snad: open Balances, press Update, type each opening balance and save. Four short steps with screenshots.
- [Create a journal entry](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-journal-entry) — Create a journal entry in Snad: add the accounts, enter debit and credit until they match, then save. Six short steps with screenshots, plus line details.
- [Set accounting settings](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/accounting-settings) — Set accounting settings in Snad: link the customer, supplier and cash accounts, then the accounts of each branch and warehouse. Six steps with screenshots.
- [Create a receipt voucher](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-receipt-voucher) — Create a receipt voucher in Snad: pick the receiving account and the paying accounts, enter the amounts and payment method, then save. Six short steps.
- [View the trial balance](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/trial-balance) — View the trial balance in Snad: check that debit and credit match, read opening and closing balances, then export it. Seven short steps with screenshots.
- [Add a customer](https://www.snad.io/en/guide/create-customer) — Add a customer in Snad: name, phone, address, tax details and payment terms, then save. Five short steps with screenshots, plus the Excel import.
- [Snad accounting software](https://www.snad.io/en/accounting) — The chart of accounts, entries and reports in one place.

[Open this screen in Snad](https://app.snad.io/dashboard/accounting/accounts)

- **URL:** https://www.snad.io/en/guide/chart-of-accounts
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-11-04

---
## About the publisher
**Snad (سند)** — a private Saudi software company
based in Madinah, founded 2025. Legal form: Sole proprietorship.
Commercial registration: 7038154642
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Only official domain: snad.io
> Snad is a private commercial business-management platform. It is not a
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> is not affiliated with any government entity. Any site or app with a
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