Features
Basic features
GnuCash is powerful, versatile, and easy to use. If you want
to get an idea of everything GnuCash offers, read on!
Multiple Accounts.Create a GnuCash
account for each of your bank accounts. Each account
maintains both a running balance and a reconciled balance,
so you can keep track of the checks that have cleared your
account.
Simple User Interface.If you can use the register in the back of your checkbook, you
can use GnuCash. Type directly into the
register, tab between fields, and use quick-fill to automatically
complete transactions.
Automated Tools
for Reconciling Accounts.At the end of the month, open up the reconcile
window, enter the ending balance from your bank statement, and check
off the transactions that appear in the bank statement. This agrees
what you have recorded in GnuCash with what your bank has reported,
and makes it easier to track down any discrepancies. QuickFill.If you begin typing in the description field, and the text matches
a previous transaction, hitting TAB will copy in that
previous transaction. This is a handy time saver if you regularly create
similar transactions.
Stock/Mutual Fund Portfolios.Track stocks individually (one per account) or in
portfolio of accounts (a group of accounts that can be
displayed together).
There are tools to
automatically collect stock quotes.
Multiple
currencies.Bank accounts may be established in different
currencies, and trades at varying exchange rates may be
made, in much the same way stocks trade at varying
prices.
Quicken File Import.Imports Quicken-style QIF files. The import wizard automatically
merges duplicate transactions.
Gnome MDI Interface.Have multiple views of your financial data, arranged how you want
them, in one or more windows that stay around through GnuCash sessions.
Reports.Display, export as HTML, or print a variety of reports,
including Balance Sheet, Account Summary, Profit and Loss, Stock
Portfolios, and Transaction Reports. Reports are saved from
session to session, and rolling reports are possible with
relative dates. GnuCash also supports a variety of
customizable, printable, bar and pie charts.
Advanced FeaturesGnuCash offers some features not found in simpler accounting
programs.Chart of Accounts.A master account can have a hierarchy of more detailed
accounts arranged underneath it. This allows related
account types (e.g. - Cash, Bank, Stock) to be
grouped under one master account ( e.g. -
Assets).
Double
Entry.Every transaction must debit one account and credit others
by an equal amount. This ensures that the 'books balance':
that the difference between income and outflow exactly equals
the sum of all assets, be they bank, cash, stock or other.
Income/Expense Account
Types (Categories).These serve not only to categorize your cash flow, but when used
properly with the double-entry feature and equity accounts, these can
provide an accurate Profit & Loss statement.
General Ledger.Multiple accounts may be displayed in one register
window at the same time. This can make it easier to track
down data errors. It also provides a convenient way of
viewing a portfolio of many stocks, by showing all
transactions in that portfolio.