How can I add brokerage account to show wins and losses from for day/swing trading?

Hello there, markg9.

We can use the equity-type account in adding the brokerage in QuickBooks Online. However, I would suggest consulting your accountant first to make sure that everything is good when doing it. Also, they are the ones who can verify and give advice on this matter.

You can follow the steps below in adding the brokerage account:

1. Go to Accounting and select Chart of Accounts.
2. Click the New button at the upper-right corner.
3. Select the Equity account and enter the name of this account.
4. Once done, click the Save and Close button.

You can always get back here if you have other questions. I'm always here willing to help you further. Take care!

@SarahannC 

NO, you do not use equity for income producing activities

@markg9 

Day trading, if this is your business that is one thing, if this is personal then it does not belong in a business accounting file.  Assuming it is your business ...

QB can only handle the gross accounting, it can NOT handle stock ticker symbols, gain and loss, and will not provide anything close to a report that can be used for income tax reporting.

In truth, day trading is not something that can be done very easily in QB at all, but

1. create a bank type account for the brokerage

2. when a sales is complete

2a. post a check, do not print, from the brokerage bank and use COS, a cost of sales account you create (COGS type and COS detail) , as the expense

2b. show a deposit in the brokerage bank in the amount received, and use trading income as the source account for the deposit.

income will be reduced by expense on the P&L