# Fixed asset settings

The depreciation journal and the refresh of template accounts in the Accounting settings, then the asset templates and categories that every new asset and deferral starts from.

Fixed assets add one group, **Fixed Assets**, at the end of the Accounting settings, and two lists under the configuration menu: the templates and the categories. The other accounting choices, journals, chart of accounts and deferred entries, are explained in [Accounting settings](/docs/accounting-start-here/accounting-settings).

## Before you start {#before-you-start}

- You need the **Administrator** access right on **Accounting**.
- The settings belong to the current company; switch company before changing them for another one.

## Fixed Assets {#fixed-assets}

Open **Accounting/Configuration/Settings** and scroll to the group **Fixed Assets**.

![The Fixed Assets group of the Accounting settings, with the default depreciation journal.](https://jaah.app/web/image/11422-94aef57c/fixed-assets-settings-settings_depreciation_journal-en.png)

### Depreciation Journal {#depreciation-journal}

Every new record starts with this journal; choosing a template replaces it with the template's own journal. Only miscellaneous journals are offered. At installation, the main company gets the journal **Depreciation** here; any other company starts empty, and its assets without a template have no journal until someone picks one, so choose one for each company that records assets. To add a journal of its own, see [Create a journal](/docs/accounting-start-here/create-a-journal).

A deferral created without a template keeps this journal even after its **Type** is changed: pick the deferral's journal yourself on its **Accounting** tab. Click **Save** to apply a change of journal.

### Refresh Template Accounts {#refresh}

**Refresh Now** fills the accounts and journals that are still empty on the templates of the current company, guessing each one from the names of the accounts in the chart. It never replaces an account already set. For a company that has a chart of accounts but no templates yet, it first copies the templates to it. The page reloads when it is done.

![Refresh Now fills the empty accounts of the templates from the chart of accounts.](https://jaah.app/web/image/11426-6bb0331b/fixed-assets-settings-settings_refresh-en.png)

The guess takes the first account whose name matches, so check the result before relying on a template.

## Asset templates {#templates}

Open **Accounting/Configuration/Assets/Asset Templates**. The list shows each template's **Type**, **Method**, **Number of Periods**, **Period Length**, **Asset Account**, **Recognition Account** (the expense or revenue side) and **Journal**. Twenty-four templates are installed: fifteen for assets, from computers over three years to buildings over thirty, five for deferred expenses and four for deferred revenue.

![The templates with their type, method, duration, accounts and journal.](https://jaah.app/web/image/11430-971498ce/fixed-assets-settings-templates_list-en.png)

Open a template to see all its fields; it uses the same form as an asset. On the **Accounting** tab of an asset template, check that **Depreciation** is not the same account as **Asset**: the entries would then credit the account that holds the cost. Change what is wrong and save; the assets already created keep their own accounts.

Add a template with **New** in this list, or from a confirmed asset with **Save as Template** in its **Actions** menu, which copies its type, method, duration, accounts, journal and category into a new template named after it. Template names are kept as typed, in one language.

## Asset categories {#categories}

Open **Accounting/Configuration/Assets/Asset Categories**. Categories group assets and deferrals for searching and grouping; twelve are installed, from **Computers & Phones** to **Deferred Expenses**. Click **New** to add a line and type its name in place; a category shown without a company is shared by all companies.

![The categories that group assets and deferrals; a line is added and renamed in place.](https://jaah.app/web/image/11434-b9f0f83c/fixed-assets-settings-categories_list-en.png)

## FAQ {#faq}

### Which tasks run by themselves? {#automations}

The posting of the entries on their dates and what is set at installation: see [Fixed asset automations](fixed-assets-automations).

### I changed a template. Do my running assets follow? {#template-change}

No. A template only fills a new record when it is chosen; later changes to the template do not reach the records made from it.

### Where are the deferred expense and revenue journals set? {#deferred-journals}

In the **Deferred entries** group of [Accounting settings](/docs/accounting-start-here/accounting-settings#deferred). They serve the deferred dates of bill and invoice lines; a deferral record of this app uses the journal on its own **Accounting** tab.

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- Source: https://jaah.app/docs/fixed-assets/fixed-asset-settings
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- Version: Fixed assets 19.0.1.5.0
- Verified: 2026-10-23