COA Import
This article explains how to import the Chart of Accounts (COA) from QuickBooks Online into Model Reef and map it into a clean modelling structure.
You will learn how to:
Pull the COA from a connected QuickBooks company.
Map accounts to variable types and categories.
Assign accounts to branches.
Prepare the model for historical actuals import.
What the COA import does
The COA import:
Reads the full Chart of Accounts from your connected QuickBooks Online company.
Displays each account with its code (where available), name and QuickBooks account type.
Lets you map each account to:
A variable type (Revenue, COGS, Opex, Staff, Asset, Liability, Equity, Tax, Dividend).
A reporting category and subcategory.
A branch (entity, division, store or project) in the model.
Stores these mappings for use during actuals imports and future refreshes.
The COA import step establishes the structural relationships between QuickBooks accounts and your Model Reef variables.
Running the COA import
After connecting your QuickBooks company for a model:
Open the QuickBooks Integration panel.
Click Import Chart of Accounts.
Wait while Model Reef retrieves the account list from QuickBooks.
You will see a table of accounts showing:
Account name.
Account type (as defined in QuickBooks).
Account number or code if one is configured.
Status (active or inactive).
You can choose whether to include inactive accounts, depending on whether they have historical data you need in the model.
Mapping accounts to variable types
For each relevant account, choose a variable type that matches its economic behaviour:
Income accounts for sales and other operating income -> Revenue.
Cost of sales or cost of goods accounts -> COGS.
Operating expenses -> Opex or Staff where appropriate.
Fixed asset accounts -> Asset.
Loans, credit lines and other debt accounts -> Liability.
Equity accounts -> Equity.
Tax accounts -> Tax.
Dividend or distribution accounts -> Dividend.
Model Reef may propose defaults based on account type and name, but you remain in control of the mapping.
Mapping to categories and subcategories
Assign each account to reporting categories and optional subcategories that you use in your Model Reef reports.
Examples:
QuickBooks
Salesincome account -> Category:Revenue - Subscriptions.Cost of Goods Sold-> Category:COGS - Direct.Salaries and Wages-> Category:Staff - Salaries.Rent or Lease-> Category:Opex - Property.Long Term Loan-> Category:Liabilities - Loans.
A clean category scheme lets you roll up accounts into meaningful lines in P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow reports.
Mapping to branches
If your Model Reef model uses branches for entities, divisions or locations, assign each account to a branch:
Company level accounts -> map to a top level branch representing that company.
Division or department specific accounts -> map to sub branches.
Store level accounts -> map to branches representing each store, venue or region.
Branch mappings control where actuals appear in branch level P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow views and how they roll up into consolidated branches.
If allocations are more complex (for example one account covering multiple branches), you can import at a higher level and then create separate allocation variables inside the model.
Saving mappings and preparing for actuals import
Save or apply mappings for this model.
Model Reef stores the relationships between QuickBooks accounts, variable types, categories and branches.
These mappings will be used whenever you import or refresh actuals.
You only need to update mappings when the underlying QuickBooks Chart of Accounts changes or you decide to restructure your reporting.
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