Skip to main content
December 11, 2018
Solved

Cannot delete an account in chart of accounts - no account activity, no answers in community provide applicable solution.

  • December 11, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 0 views

I'm using QB Desktop 2016 for Mac. All answers seem to be for the online version. When I open my Chart of Accounts and highlight the account I want to delete (I accidentally created a duplicate expense account, no activity), no delete option becomes available. In the View menu, I only have the option of Active or Inactive. There is not an "Account" button as suggested in other answers. 

Best answer by SkinnyRaven

Edit>delete account

4 replies

December 11, 2018

Edit>delete account

May 30, 2019

FYI... the Edit being referred to is the Edit in the Navigation Bar, all the way at the top of the window.

 

Quickbooks  File Edit Lists

once account in question is highlighted go to Edit and delete account

May 31, 2019

It's good to see you here in the Community, @jane-quade.

 

I appreciate you sharing a handy resolution on deleting an account in QuickBooks for Mac. I'm sure it could help a lot of customers having a similar issue.

 

Please know that the Community has your back, and I'd be glad to help if you ever need further assistance. Also, you are always welcome to share your best practices about QuickBooks with us. Cheering you to continued success!

March 30, 2019

HI!

I  HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IF IT HELPS SOMEONE, YOU JUST NEED

SELECT THE ACCOUNT AND PRESS COMMAND(⌘)+D

March 30, 2019

Thanks for adding to the conversation, @irene_k,

 

I appreciate the quick workaround you’ve shared on how to delete an account in QuickBooks for Mac. This resolution will help a lot of customers in this forum who are having a similar issue.

 

Please know that the Community is always here if you need any QuickBooks help or want to share your best practices using the product. You also got my back should you need further assistance with your account. Wishing you and your organization continued prosperity!

April 7, 2019

I'm getting an error message " 

his account has a balance or is used in a transaction, an invoice item, or your payroll setup. It cannot be deleted." 

December 30, 2019

Quickbooks Desktop - Deleting an Account in Chart of Accounts:

Open Chart of Accounts

Click on (Highlight) the Account you want to Delete

Go to Edit at the Top of your Screen

Scroll Down and Click Delete

February 17, 2021

I have the same issue, and I have not been able to delete it!

AlexV
February 17, 2021

Thanks for joining this thread, fospino.

 

Are you using QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop? Users in this thread use different versions so let me share different steps on how to delete an account.

 

In QuickBooks Online, we can only make an account inactive. If it has a balance, QuickBooks automatically creates a journal entry to zero it out.

  1. Go to the Accounting menu and select Chart of accounts.
  2. Find the account you want to delete.
  3. Select the Action dropdown and click Make inactive.

 

The same thing for QuickBooks Desktop. You can't delete it if it has a balance or you used it in at least one transaction. You'll be prompted to make it inactive instead.

  1. From the Lists menu, select Chart of Accounts.
  2. Right-click on the account that you want to delete.
  3. Select Delete Account, then OK.

 

These steps are for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac:

  1. From the Lists menu, select Chart of Accounts.
  2. Select the account you want to delete.
  3. Go to the Edit menu and select Delete Account.
  4. Tap OK.

 

If you need articles on how to manage your Chart of Accounts, please check these links:

 

Keep on posting here if you need anything else. Take care!

May 25, 2021

make inactive is NOT the equivalent to delete. Quit screwing around and allow your customers to delete customers/vendors/accounts in QBO. You know it can be done and is easy. Get it done.