Add an account

Add an account by hand if it is not connected to a bank, or if you track something a bank doesn't supply, such as a loan or a property. To link a bank instead, see Connect a bank.

Steps

1. Select Accounts in the sidebar (on a phone, select More, then Accounts).
2. Find the Add account card in the right column. On a smaller screen or a phone, select the Bank sync tab at the right edge of the screen to open it.
3. Enter a name in Account name.
4. Enter the account's current balance in Starting balance, or leave it empty. Use a negative number for money you owe, for example -2500.
5. Under What is this account for?, choose one option. Everyday spending is selected at first.
6. Select Add account.

The account appears in the For budget or Off-budget section of the list.

What is this account for?

Good Steward doesn't ask for an account type such as checking or credit card. This choice sets one thing: whether the account counts toward your budget.

You can change it later in the account's settings. See On-budget and off-budget accounts.

How the starting balance works

• A starting balance other than zero adds one transaction: payee "Starting Balance", dated today, marked Cleared. On an on-budget account it is filed under the income category Starting Balances. On an off-budget account it has no category.
• An empty field starts the account at $0.00 and adds no transaction.
• The field ignores $, commas and spaces. It can't read brackets such as (500). In that case the app adds the account with no starting balance and shows no message. Enter -500 instead.

Rename an account or add a note

1. Select the Account settings icon (two sliders) at the right of the account's row on Accounts. Or open the account's transactions and select Account settings. On a phone, Account settings is in the More actions menu.
2. To rename, edit Account name and select Rename.
3. To add a note, enter text in Note and select Save.

The note shows beside the account name on Accounts. Long notes are shortened there.