The Ultimate Chart of Accounts for Painting Businesses

Whether you're a solo painter or running a growing crew of professionals, keeping your books in order is essential for success. A clear, organized Chart of Accounts (COA) is the foundation of smart financial management for any painting business. It helps you track income, manage job costs, plan for taxes, and make informed decisions.

In this post, we’ll walk through a sample Chart of Accounts designed specifically for painting contractors, including both residential and commercial services.

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🎨 Why Your Painting Business Needs a Tailored Chart of Accounts

Generic accounting templates often miss key details about the unique income and expense categories that painting businesses deal with, like job-specific materials, subcontracted labor, and equipment rentals. With a well-structured COA:

• You can track profitability by project type (residential vs. commercial).

• Know exactly where your money’s going—materials, wages, or marketing.

• Be ready for tax season with properly categorized deductions.

• Gain insights that help grow your business strategically.

🏗️ Sample Chart of Accounts for a U.S. Painting Business

Below is a suggested breakdown that works well with accounting software like QuickBooks:

1️⃣ Assets

These accounts track what your business owns:

• Business Checking (1010)

• Savings Account (1020)

• Accounts Receivable (1100) – for unpaid customer invoices

• Materials Inventory (1220) – paints, brushes, etc.

• Tools & Equipment (1300)

• Vehicles (1310)

• Accumulated Depreciation (1320)

2️⃣ Liabilities

What your business owes to others:

• Accounts Payable (2000)

• Sales Tax Payable (2020)

• Payroll Liabilities (2030)

• Equipment or Vehicle Loans (2100–2110)

3️⃣ Equity

Your ownership stake in the business:

• Owner’s Equity (3000)

• Owner’s Draw (3100)

• Retained Earnings (3200)

4️⃣ Income

Track how your business earns money:

• Painting Services Income (4000)

• Residential Painting (4010)

• Commercial Painting (4020)

• Pressure Washing (4030)

• Color Consulting (4040)

• Other Income (4090)

5️⃣ Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

Direct costs related to the painting jobs:

• Paint & Supplies (5000)

• Subcontracted Labor (5010)

• Equipment Rentals (5020)

• Delivery Charges (5040)

• 
  

6️⃣ Expenses

Overhead and operational expenses:

• Wages and Payroll Taxes (6000–6010)

• Workers’ Comp and Benefits (6020–6030)

• Fuel and Vehicle Maintenance (6100–6110)

• Office Supplies and Rent (6200–6220)

• Insurance and Professional Services (6230–6240)

• Advertising and Marketing (6300–6320)

• Licenses, Training, Software (6400–6430)

  
  

🧮 Pro Tip: Use Job Costing

With this COA, you can enable job costing in your accounting software. This helps you compare projected vs. actual costs for each job—giving you the insights needed to improve margins over time.

✅ Final Thoughts

A good Chart of Accounts is more than just an accounting tool—it's a financial map of your business. Tailor it to reflect how your painting company operates, and you’ll gain clarity, control, and confidence in your numbers.

Need help setting this up in QuickBooks Online or another platform? Book a free consultation below—we’re here to help painting professionals build stronger financial foundations.

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