# Getting Started with Libro

Welcome to Libro. This guide walks you through everything you need to go from sign-up to your first financial report.

## 1. Create your account

Head to [libro-app.com](/content/site-root.html) and click **Get started**. You can sign up with your email or use Google or GitHub to sign in.

After signing up, you’ll land on the home screen where you can create your first company.

## 2. Create your first company

Click **Create Company** to start the setup wizard. You’ll go through three steps: Identity, Setup, and Accounts.

### Step 1: Company Identity

Enter your company’s **trade name** (the name you do business as) and **legal name** (your registered business name). You can also add your TIN, email, phone, and address.

### Step 2: Business Setup

This is where you configure how your business operates. Everything is on one page:

**Legal structure** lets you choose between sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or cooperative. This determines which equity accounts Libro generates for you.

**Business type** lets you select service, merchandising, manufacturing, or a combination. Each type adds relevant accounts (e.g., merchandising adds inventory and cost of goods sold).

**Bookkeeping method** lets you pick between single-entry and double-entry:

- **Single-entry** is simpler and works well for very small businesses tracking income and expenses.
- **Double-entry** is the standard for proper accounting. Every transaction has equal debits and credits.

**Deferral method** (double-entry only) can be asset approach or expense approach. This determines how prepaid items like rent and supplies are initially recorded.

**Fiscal year and currency** lets you set your fiscal year end month (most Philippine businesses use December) and currency (defaults to PHP).

You can also use the **Quick Setup** button at the top for a common default configuration (Sole Proprietorship, Service, Double Entry, Asset Method).

### Step 3: Additional Accounts

Choose which optional account modules to include in your chart of accounts:

- **Receivables** for tracking what customers owe you
- **Inventory** for merchandise or raw materials
- **Fixed Assets** for land, buildings, and equipment
- **Payroll** for salaries and government contributions (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG)
- **Taxes** for input/output VAT and withholding taxes
- **Loans** for notes payable and bank charges

Each module adds the relevant accounts to your chart of accounts automatically. Click **Create Company** when you’re ready.

## 3. Explore your chart of accounts

After creating your company, Libro automatically generates a complete **chart of accounts** based on your business structure, type, and selected modules.

Your accounts are organized by type:

- **1000s** are Assets (cash, receivables, inventory, equipment)
- **2000s** are Liabilities (payables, loans, taxes payable)
- **3000s** are Equity (owner’s equity, retained earnings)
- **4000s** are Revenue (sales, service income)
- **6000s** are Expenses (rent, salaries, utilities)

You can add custom accounts, edit existing ones, or deactivate accounts you don’t need. Click any account to view its ledger with all posted transactions.

## 4. Record your first journal entry

Navigate to **Journals** from the top navigation and click **New Entry**.

### Creating an entry

Every journal entry needs:

1. A **date** for when the transaction occurred
2. A **description** explaining what happened
3. At least **two lines** with accounts and amounts

For double-entry bookkeeping, your total debits must equal your total credits. Libro validates this in real-time. You’ll see a **Balanced** indicator when the entry is valid.

### Example: Recording a cash sale

Let’s say you received PHP 5,000 cash for consulting services:

| Account | Debit | Credit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cash on Hand | 5,000 |  |
| Service Revenue |  | 5,000 |

Select the accounts from the dropdown, enter the amounts, and Libro shows you the running totals.

### Entry statuses

After creating an entry, it starts as a **Draft**. You can then change its status:

- **Draft** is still being worked on and can be edited freely
- **Posted** affects your account balances and shows up in reports
- **Final** is permanently locked and cannot be changed
- **Cancelled** means the entry is voided and no longer affects balances

## 5. Generate your first report

Once you have posted entries, head to **Reports** to see your financial data.

Libro gives you three core reports:

### Trial Balance

Shows all accounts with their debit and credit balances as of a specific date. Use this to verify that your books are balanced.

### Balance Sheet

Your company’s financial position: assets, liabilities, and equity. Libro automatically calculates retained earnings from your income and expense accounts.

### Income Statement

Revenue minus expenses for a given period. Shows whether your business is profitable.

## 6. Configure your settings

Fine-tune your company through **Settings** in the top navigation.

### Company settings

Update your company name, TIN, fiscal year, currency, and contact information.

### Account settings

Under your personal account settings, you can update your display name, change your password, connect social accounts, and manage active sessions.

## 7. Invite your team

Libro supports team collaboration. In your company **Settings** page, scroll down to the **Members** section and click **Invite**.

Enter an email address and assign a role:

- **Viewer** can see all data but can’t make changes
- **Editor** can create and modify entries and accounts
- **Admin** has full access including company settings and team management

Invited members receive an email with a link to join. They’ll need a Libro account to accept the invitation.

## Next steps

You’re all set. Here are some things to explore next:

- **[Journal Entries](/content/docs/journal-entries/index.html)** to learn advanced entry techniques and workflows
- **[Chart of Accounts](/content/docs/chart-of-accounts/index.html)** to customize your account structure with parent-child relationships
- **[Reports](/content/docs/reports/index.html)** for a deep dive into each report type and filtering options
- **[Settings](/content/docs/settings/index.html)** to configure notifications, billing, and subscription plans