Clarification on reasons why you cannot branch accounts in the chart of accounts
In some cases, the branching option (+ sign) may not appear next to the account within the chart of accounts. This behavior is intentional by the system to protect accounting data and prevent conflicts in reports.
Below is an explanation of all reasons, along with an indication of whether the restriction is permanent or solvable.
First: Cases of permanent account branching restrictions (cannot branch):
1) Accounts that accept payments and collections
Such as:
- Cash account
- Bank accounts
These accounts are operational and are used directly in payments and collections, therefore:
- They cannot be branched permanently
- The (+) option does not appear for them regardless of other conditions
As an alternative solution: you can add a new main account, transfer the account to it, and then branch the main account, such as adding a central cash account and transferring the cash account to it through the move icon next to the account.
2) Receivables and payables accounts (such as 1103 receivables and 2101 payables)
These are accounts directly linked to:
- Customers (receivables)
- Suppliers (payables)
The restriction here is by design and permanent because these accounts are managed automatically through:
- Sales department
- Purchasing department
If you need to organize the receivables and payables:
You can create alternative analytical accounts, such as:
- Receivables, Branch A (under current assets)
- Receivables, Projects
Then use these accounts for internal and organizational purposes.
3) Tax account linked to the tax return
The account that is directly reflected in the tax return (such as tax account number 2105):
- Cannot be branched
- No accounts can be added under it
This is because it is a system account linked to reports and the General Authority of Zakat and Tax.
Second: Cases of solvable account branching restrictions (branching possible after certain actions)
4) Presence of financial transactions on the account
If the account has:
- Journal entries
- Invoices
- Vouchers
The branching option will not appear.
Solution:
- Delete all transactions related to the account
- Ensure the balance = zero
- After that, the branching option will appear
5) Account linked to payroll feature
If the account is used within:
- Payroll components (salary expenses, salary liabilities)
The branching option will not appear
Solution:
- Go to: Settings → Payroll → Payroll Components
- Edit the components and unlink the account
- After unlinking, the branching option will appear (if there are no other restrictions)
6) Account linked to fixed assets
If the account is used in:
- Fixed asset
- Asset purchase transaction
- Asset depreciation
Cannot be branched
Solution:
- Delete the transactions or assets that linked the account
- Ensure all other conditions are met
- After that, you can branch the account
7) Account linked to a product or expense
Such as:
- Cost of goods sold account
- Expense account directly linked to a product
Cannot be branched as long as the link exists
Solution:
- Unlink from the product or expense settings
- Then return to the chart of accounts
- The branching option will appear if there are no other restrictions
8) Account used within a budget
If the account is included in a budget:
- The branching option will not appear
Solution:
- Delete the budget associated with the account
- Ensure there are no transactions
- Then branch the account
(The budget can be created again after branching)
Third: Procedural reasons that may prevent the (+) sign from appearing
9) User lacks permission
If the user does not have the permission to:
- Create accounts in the chart of accounts
The (+) sign will not appear
Solution:
- Settings → Users → Manage Roles
- Edit the role
- Enable the Create permission within the Chart of Accounts section
10) Subscription expired
If:
- Subscription has expired
All add operations are disabled, including account branching
Solution:
- Go to Settings → Subscription Settings
- Check the subscription status and outstanding invoices
Note: Subscription during the grace period works completely, and the inability to add occurs only if the subscription has expired and the grace period has ended.
Important notes to clarify common confusion
- There is no difference between main and sub-accounts in terms of the branching principle
- The system only prevents branching to protect:
- Reports
- Automatic linking
- Advanced features (payroll, assets, taxes)
- Branching an account does not mean the account cannot be moved
If your goal is to change the account location, the solution is to move the account, not branch it
Frequently asked questions in customer language
- Why doesn’t the (+) sign appear?
- The add (+) sign does not appear next to the account to branch it
- I cannot add a sub-account in the chart of accounts
- I cannot add a sub-account, what’s the reason?
- I cannot add a sub-account to the chart of accounts
- I was able to branch this account before, why not now?
- Do I have to delete transactions to branch the account?
- Does branching require permissions?
- Why doesn’t the cash account accept branching?
- Why can’t I add accounts under the receivables account?
- The account is linked to payroll, how do I unlink it?
- The account is within a budget, how do I branch it?
