The Absolute Accounting Settings
The Absolute Accounting settings stays locked to the exact dates you choose and is ideal for organizations—especially corporations and nonprofits—who choose to operate on a Fiscal Year instead of the standard January–December Calendar Year.
Entering Simple Income And Expense Transactions
GnuCash uses double‑entry accounting, which simply means every transaction touches at-least two accounts. In this tutorial we’re starting with the simplest form of this lesson it serves as the doorway into entering transactions into the register.
This lesson focuses on how to enter “Simple Income and Expense Transactions” that affects only two accounts— in the Chart Of Accounts, one account the money comes from and one account the money goes to. Split transactions are more detailed and are for specific situations which we will go over in more detail in a later tutorial.
Cash-based accounting is a straightforward bookkeeping method where revenue is recorded only when payment is received and expenses are recorded only when they are paid. Unlike the more complex accrual method, which tracks transactions when they are earned or incurred, the cash basis strictly follows the physical movement of money.
Module 1 — Getting Started
This module helps beginners understand what bookkeeping actually is, where to begin, and how to install GnuCash correctly. It sets the stage with foundational concepts so students feel grounded before touching any accounts or transactions.
Build a clean, organized bookkeeping system from day one. Students learn how to set up their business accounts, tour the GnuCash interface, understand the chart of accounts, customize it safely, and establish their accounting period. This module ensures their file is structured properly before they start entering real data.
Master the everyday tasks that keep your books accurate. This module teaches students how to navigate the register, enter opening balances, record split expenses and sales with tax, add notes, attach receipts, filter transactions, and generate simple reports , and reconcile their checking account. These are the core skills they’ll use every week.