diff --git a/src/engine/AccInfo.c b/src/engine/AccInfo.c
index d0b2f3115e..6bbeb30c11 100644
--- a/src/engine/AccInfo.c
+++ b/src/engine/AccInfo.c
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
 #include "messages.h"
 #include "util.h"
 
+
+/* This static indicates the debugging module that this .o belongs to.  */
+static short module = MOD_ENGINE;
+
+
 /* =========================================================== */
 
 #define GNC_RETURN_ENUM_AS_STRING(x) case x: return #x;
@@ -85,6 +90,48 @@ char * xaccAccountGetTypeStr (int type)
    return (account_type_name [type]);
 }
 
+/* =========================================================== */
+gncBoolean
+xaccAccountTypesCompatible (int parent_type, int child_type)
+{
+  gncBoolean compatible = GNC_F;
+
+  switch(parent_type)
+  {
+    case BANK:
+    case CASH: 
+    case ASSET:
+    case STOCK:
+    case MUTUAL:
+    case CURRENCY:
+      compatible = ((child_type == BANK)   ||
+		    (child_type == CASH)   ||
+		    (child_type == ASSET)  ||
+		    (child_type == STOCK)  ||
+		    (child_type == MUTUAL) ||
+		    (child_type == CURRENCY));
+      break;
+    case CREDIT:
+    case LIABILITY:
+      compatible = ((child_type == CREDIT) || (child_type == LIABILITY));
+      break;
+    case INCOME:
+      compatible = (child_type == INCOME);
+      break;
+    case EXPENSE:
+      compatible = (child_type == EXPENSE);
+      break;
+    case EQUITY:
+      compatible = (child_type == EQUITY);
+      break;
+    default:
+      PERR("xaccAccountTypesCompatible: bad account type: %d", parent_type);
+      break;
+  }
+
+  return compatible;
+}
+
 /* =========================================================== */
 
 AccInfo *
diff --git a/src/engine/AccInfo.h b/src/engine/AccInfo.h
index add8481336..a36fbe1a24 100644
--- a/src/engine/AccInfo.h
+++ b/src/engine/AccInfo.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #define __ACCINFO_H__
 
 #include "config.h"
+#include "gnc-common.h"
+
 
 /*
  * The account types are used to determine how the transaction data
@@ -41,6 +43,9 @@
 
 enum 
 {
+  BAD_TYPE = -1,
+  /* Not a type */
+
   BANK = 0,
   /* The bank account type denotes a savings or checking account
    * held at a bank.  Often interest bearing.
@@ -102,6 +107,9 @@ char * xaccAccountGetTypeStr (int type); /* GUI names */
    Used for text exports */
 char * xaccAccountTypeEnumAsString (int type); 
 
+gncBoolean xaccAccountTypesCompatible (int parent_type, int child_type);
+
+
 typedef struct _BankAcct BankAcct;
 typedef struct _InvAcct  InvAcct;
 typedef union _AccInfo AccInfo;