Get comfortable.
Then make it yours.

A first tour of LedgerSL.

Once LedgerSL is installed, use the sample company for these exercises. You can stop after any step and return to the guide later.

1. Check which company is open

   Use Company > Change Company in the top-left menu to select the sample company. Check the company name at the top of the Main Console before entering anything. Sample records represent one company with different locations.

   See the company selection screen

2. Set your accounting date

   Check the default date and use an open period in the sample company. This date supplies starting values on several entry screens; it can be different from today. Check the date, period, and year on each document.

   Understand the default date

3. Enter a customer invoice

   Open Receivables and start a new invoice. Select a sample customer, add an item or service, and check the quantity, price, and tax. For stock, choose the location and quantity actually supplied. Save and preview the invoice. When it is correct, mark it printed, clear any hold, and post it.

   Follow the invoice instructions

4. Record a supplier bill

   Open Payables and create a vendor invoice. Enter the supplier's bill number, date, and total. Choose the appropriate expense account, check that the amounts assigned to accounts equal the bill total, then save and review before posting.

   Follow the supplier bill instructions

5. Try a purchase and delivery

   Create a small purchase order, print it, and post it. Receive only what arrived, using WHSE as the stock location. Save and post the receipt, then check the item's location balance. The supplier bill is a separate entry.

   Follow a complete worked example

6. Record a payment and check the result

   Apply a customer payment to the invoice and check the remaining customer balance. Review the related General Ledger batches and post eligible batches when ready. Compare customer history, stock balances, and reports with the activity you entered.

   Follow the customer payment instructions

Ready for your own company?

Keep practice transactions in the sample company. Create a separate database for your business through Company > Change Company > Create New Company. The Company Setup Wizard changes the default company information and basic setup in the database already open; it does not create a new database.

1. Name the new database. Sign in as an administrator and choose Create New Company. At Name Your Company Database, enter a recognizable filename such as AcmeSupply.db. LedgerSL adds .db if needed, then asks you to choose a local folder. Existing files and reserved template names cannot be used.
2. Open your new company. Restart LedgerSL to use the selected database. Check the company and full database path before continuing. Keep this file separate from the sample company and note its location for backups.
3. Enter your business details. Open Company > Company Setup Wizard. Check the name and address that will appear on invoices and reports.
4. Prepare the Chart of Accounts. At Step 4: GL Accounts, choose Load Starter Chart of Accounts for an empty chart, Import GL Accounts from CSV for your own list, or Review / Edit Accounts for manual entry. Review and confirm the accounts, then choose Configure Posting Accounts. These options do not import opening balances or transactions.
5. Complete the accounting setup. Review accounts, posting accounts, bank accounts, financial periods, payment terms, and any taxes that apply. Have your bookkeeper or accountant confirm the opening balances and account choices.
6. Keep the structure simple. Begin with one division and department if that is enough. Add other divisions when you need to review sales and expenses separately.
7. Add customers, suppliers, and items. Enter the records you need first. A service business can use service items without maintaining physical stock.
8. Enter and check opening information. Starting balances, unpaid invoices, and opening stock must agree with your existing records. Follow an agreed opening plan so the same balance is not entered twice.
9. Back up before daily work begins. Keep a dated copy of the checked starting database and make regular backups as you work.

A division and a warehouse do different jobs.

Division

A business location or operating area. Use it to track sales and expenses separately, or review the company as a whole.

Department

A further reporting group within your business, such as Sales or Service. One general department is enough when you do not need that detail.

Inventory location

The physical place stock is kept. Start with WHSE for one warehouse. Add names such as VAN1 when you need to track stock in another place.

For example, your MAIN division could use stock from WHSE and VAN1. Choosing the division on an invoice does not choose the stock location. Locations are established through stock transactions; moving goods between them requires a transfer.