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This Name Is Already in Use as a Different Type

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
May 17, 2020
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Trying to merge two accounts that are different account types and it is not allowing me.

The first account is named "Accounts Receivable" and it's an "Accounts Receivable" account type.

The second account is named "Opening AR" and it's an "Other Current Asset" account type.

I want to merge the two accounts by changing the name of the "Opening AR" account to "Accounts Receivable". But, when I try to do that, I get the following error message:

"This name is already in use as a different type. Please use a different name."

QuickBooks Desktop

Best answer by LieraMarie_A

Hi there, @ptownbro985.

You can only merge accounts with the same account type. Since you're unable to change an account type from or to Accounts Receivable (A/R), I'd suggest using a clearing account. This way, you can transfer the amount from one A/R to another A/R account.

Here's how o set up a clearing account:

Go to the Lists menu and select Chart of Accounts.
Click the Account drop-down arrow and choose New.
Select the Bank radio button.
Click Continue.
In the Account Name field, type in " Clearing Account" or "Wash Account."
Select Save & Close.

To move your money using the clearing account, please refer to this article: Set up a clearing account.

You can check this article to give you an idea of what else you can do with Chart of Accounts: Understand the chart of accounts.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. I'll be around to help. Have a great day.

LieraMarie_AAnswer

Hi there, @ptownbro985.

You can only merge accounts with the same account type. Since you're unable to change an account type from or to Accounts Receivable (A/R), I'd suggest using a clearing account. This way, you can transfer the amount from one A/R to another A/R account.

Here's how o set up a clearing account:

Go to the Lists menu and select Chart of Accounts.
Click the Account drop-down arrow and choose New.
Select the Bank radio button.
Click Continue.
In the Account Name field, type in " Clearing Account" or "Wash Account."
Select Save & Close.

To move your money using the clearing account, please refer to this article: Set up a clearing account.

You can check this article to give you an idea of what else you can do with Chart of Accounts: Understand the chart of accounts.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. I'll be around to help. Have a great day.

P

ptownbro985Author

Thank you for your help, but one follow-up question. If you can only set up 1 Accounts Receivable account, how then do you set up an "Allowance for Doubtful Accounts" account and have it be grouped with your A/R account? The "Allowance for Doubtful Accounts" is an A/R account

Pabz_L

Hello, @ptownbro985.

You can set up another A/R for Allowance for Doubtful accounts and group it with the default Accounts Receivable. Just set it up as a sub-account, then choose this account when creating invoices.

To do that, here’s how.

1. Go to the Lists tab.

2. Select Chart of Accounts.

3. On the bottom part, click the drop-down arrow beside Account and select New.

4. Click on the Other Account types drop-down.

5. Select Account Receivable.

6. Click Continue.

7. Fill in the Account Name (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts)

8. Put a checkmark on the Subaccount of the box. On the drop-down arrow select the Accounts Receivable. Fill in the other information needed (optional).

9. Click Save & Close.

Please check the screenshots below.