Plain-Text Accounting

Plain-text accounting keeps ledgers in text files so they are versionable and auditable with standard tools.

Why use it

• The ledger is human-readable and diff-friendly.
• You can automate reports without proprietary formats.
• It supports reproducible bookkeeping workflows.

Typical structure

• A main ledger file with dated transactions.
• Account naming conventions such as Assets:Cash or Expenses:Office.
• Separate files for prices, budgets, or imports.