Welcome to the Beancount.io Help Center! This is your comprehensive guide to mastering plain-text accounting with Beancount. Whether you're new to accounting or an experienced professional, you'll find everything you need to get started and become proficient.
Getting Started
New to Beancount? Start here:
- Introduction to Beancount - Learn what Beancount is and why plain-text accounting matters
- Getting Started - Your first steps with Beancount including practical examples
- Add Your First Transaction - Hands-on tutorial for beginners
Essential Documentation
Fundamentals
- Beancount Syntax - Master the language
- Cheatsheet - Quick reference guide
- Glossary - Plain-language definitions of every plain-text accounting term
- FAQ - Answers to the questions people actually ask: importing bank data, debits and credits, multi-currency, cost basis, and business books
Core Features
- Beancount Query Language - Advanced data querying
- Cash-Flow Roles - Classify accounts for the cash-flow statement with one metadata line
- UI Features - Create reports, import data, and manage your ledger through the web interface
- Options & Configuration - Customize your setup
- Fava Options - Customize the Fava web interface with
fava-optiondirectives
Advanced Topics
- Inventories - Track physical and digital assets including price automation
- Precision - Handle decimal precision correctly
Solutions & Use Cases
Transform your financial workflow with these specialized guides:
- Analytics - Advanced financial analysis
- Cryptocurrency Portfolio Tracking - Manage digital assets
- Real Estate Investment Tracking - Rental property accounting with mortgages and depreciation
- Scriptable Workflows - Automate repetitive tasks
- Transparent & Auditable - Professional accounting standards
- Using LLMs to Automate Bookkeeping - AI-powered accounting
Tips & Tricks
Level up your Beancount skills:
- UI Features - Make the most of the interface
- Filtering and Searching - Find what you need quickly
- Multi-File Support - Organize large accounting systems
- Budgets - Plan and track spending
- Amortize - Handle depreciation and amortization
- Forecast Plugin - Plan future scenarios
- Cryptocurrency Templates - Ready-to-use crypto examples
- Real Estate Templates - Ready-to-use rental property examples
- Share or Embed Your Ledger - Publish read-only views of your books
- Side Bar Navigation - Customize your workspace
Templates & Resources
Ready-to-use resources for common scenarios:
- Working Ledger Examples - Copy five validated patterns for household finances, envelope budgets, freelance invoices, rental property, and cost basis
- Financial Reporting Templates - Professional report formats
- Industry-Specific Setups - Tailored configurations
- Tax Preparation Guides - Simplify tax season
- Community Showcase - See what others have built
Community & Support
Need help? We've got you covered:
- Browse our comprehensive documentation above
- Join the community discussions
- Check out the Community Showcase for inspiration
- Review common questions and solutions
Account Management
- Request Account Deletion - Account removal process
Quick Navigation by Experience Level
Complete Beginner
Start with: Introduction → Getting Started → First Transaction
Some Accounting Knowledge
Jump to: Introduction → Syntax → Query Language
Ready to Automate
Explore: Scriptable Workflows → LLM Automation → Analytics
Crypto & Investments
Focus on: Cryptocurrency Tracking → Crypto Templates
Welcome to the future of accounting! Plain-text, transparent, and infinitely scriptable. Let's get started.