Not an accountant, but in terms of changing the chart of accounts if the account has a balance or has transactions posted to it within the last two years then you wont be able to adjust much on the account. Sounds like going with a new chart of accounts/file might be a better way to go.

I have made changes to the chart of accounts many times. It is worthwhile if you have previous history you would like to keep. What version and product of Sage are you using?

sage 50 canadian desktop version, I can change both the account number and description, even if there's a balance

Roger, numbers can only be altered if you are using the Accountant's Edition. Are you?

Note: I should add, numbers can be altered by end user versions if the account has not been used.

Yes, I am using the accountant's edition

Roger. OK, that's why you are not limited. End users cannot change numbers if the accounts have been posted to but they can change names. In First Step, they cannot add any new accounts or see any account numbers (they do exist) but they can only change the account names. With our version, we can add new accounts and change numbers for them.

Like Randy, I've redone many charts of accounts. I used to do it before the Accountant's Edition was created. Sometimes as Randy said, it is worthwhile to reconfigure to keep the history in one file, but sometimes it's not. Glenn77, if you do decide to start completely over from scratch, please remember that you must keep backup copies of your original files for audit purposes.

What might be helpful is a more advanced method of starting a new file. When you create the new file, use the fiscal year ending Jul 31/15 (I am assuming you were wanting to do it for last month). Set the Earliest Transaction date to Jul 31/15. That way you can enter opening balances as of that date and roll to the new year and not worry too much about whether you have all your starting balances correct for all G/L accounts. When you get entries that affect last fiscal year, post them in the new file on Jul 31/15. That will make sure your opening balances for Aug 1 are accurate, you will be able to compare both company files for accuracy on Jul 31 and you will still be able to do accountant year end adjusting entries like you always have in the past.

Hope this helps

Could he not contact someone local with the accountant's edition, send them a backup of the company with a list of changes, and get back a backup file to restore that has the new structure. Caveat, he can't post transactions in the interim ?

Roger, yes of course, if that was the method of his change. A local person could do the work right on site. However, you, Randy, myself or any number of consultants who service clients online could also do the work. Without knowing more, it is hard for us to determine if Glenn's overhaul need is really a new file or not but both the options are there.