Fresh Start Setup

Set up your new business in seconds with a region-specific template. No migration needed — just apply the template and start using Rebased.

Overview

Fresh Start is the quickest way to begin with Rebased. Choose this path if:

• You are a new business
• You have never used accounting software before
• You want to start with a clean slate

Time to ready: Under 30 seconds

The Process

Step 1: Navigate to Chart of Accounts

1. Go to Settings → Accounting → Chart of Accounts
2. Click Apply AU Template (or your region)
3. Around 90 accounts are created instantly

Step 2: System Accounts Auto-Detect

Rebased automatically identifies and maps:

You don’t need to do anything — this happens automatically.

Step 3: Item Defaults Auto-Populate

Default settings are configured for:

• Default sales account (Sales Revenue)
• Default purchase account (Office Expenses)
• Default tax codes (GST for AU)

These are used when creating new items, invoices, and bills.

Step 4: Ready to Use

Your business is now configured. You can immediately:

• Create and send invoices
• Add clients and suppliers
• Record bills
• View financial reports
• Connect bank accounts

What’s Created

AU Template Accounts

The Australian template includes approximately 90 accounts organised by type:

Optional Payroll Bundle

If you plan to use payroll, you can include the employer bundle which adds:

• Wages & Salaries expense account
• Superannuation Expense account
• Wages Payable liability account
• Superannuation Payable liability account
• PAYG Withholding Payable account

After Applying the Template

Review Linked Accounts (Optional)

Go to Settings → Accounting → Linked Accounts to:

• View all system account mappings
• Change any mapping if needed
• Re-run auto-detect if you add accounts later
• Manually set item defaults

Most users don’t need to change anything here.

Set Opening Balances (If Needed)

If your business has existing assets, liabilities, or equity:

1. Go to Settings → Accounting → Opening Balances
2. Enter starting balances for relevant accounts
3. Ensure debits equal credits

Skip this if: You’re a brand new business starting from zero.

See: Opening Balances

Comparison with Migration

AU-Specific Notes

GST Setup

The AU template includes:

GST is automatically calculated on invoices and bills using these codes.

BAS Reporting

Once set up, you can generate:

• Tax Summary report for BAS fields
• BAS Preparation report for lodgment
• Automatic GST tracking on all transactions

Account Numbering

The template uses AASB-compliant numbering:

• 1130 for Accounts Receivable
• 2110 for Accounts Payable
• 2130 for GST Collected
• 1160 for GST Paid

This differs from MYOB and Xero, but auto-detection works with any numbering.

Common Questions

Can I add or remove accounts later?

Yes. The Chart of Accounts can be modified anytime:

• Add new accounts
• Edit account names
• Archive unused accounts
• Reorganise parent-child relationships

What if I need different accounts than the template?

You can:

• Edit existing account names
• Add new accounts
• Disable accounts you don’t need
• Import a custom chart of accounts (contact support)

Do I need to set opening balances?

Only if:

• You have existing bank balances
• You have loans or equipment
• You have equity invested
• You’re partway through a financial year

New businesses starting from zero can skip this step.

Can I switch to migration later?

If you applied the Fresh Start template but later need to import historical data, contact support. It’s easiest to choose the right path at the beginning.

Troubleshooting

Template won’t apply

Issue: “You already have accounts” error

Cause: Accounts already exist in your business

Solution:

• If you started a migration, complete that instead
• To restart fresh, contact support (accounts cannot be bulk deleted)

System accounts not detected

Issue: Linked Accounts page shows empty mappings

Solution:

1. Go to Settings → Accounting → Linked Accounts
2. Click Auto-Detect System Accounts
3. Review and confirm mappings

Can’t create invoices

Issue: “Setup incomplete” error

Solution:

1. Ensure template was applied
2. Check Linked Accounts has Sales Revenue mapped
3. Verify item defaults are set

Missing payroll accounts

Issue: No payroll accounts in Chart of Accounts

Solution:

1. Re-apply template with employer bundle selected
2. Or manually add payroll accounts
3. Map them in Linked Accounts

Next Steps

After applying the template:

1. Review your ToDo list — Complete remaining setup tasks
2. Add a client — Create your first customer
3. Create an invoice — Send your first invoice
4. Connect your bank — Import statements or set up bank feeds

Related Pages

• Migration from Other Systems — If you’re moving from Xero/MYOB/QBO
• Opening Balances — Setting starting balances
• Setup Checklist — Complete task list
• Getting Started — Onboarding overview
• Chart of Accounts — Managing accounts

Last updated: February 24, 2026