Creating a New Project
A Project (often referred to as 'File') is a single Castaway forecast file. Each new Project you create counts toward your Castaway subscription plan. To create a new Project, navigate to the Castaway home screen and click New Project.
Choosing your Setup Method
When creating a new Project, you will be prompted to choose how you want to build your chart of accounts. Two options are available:
| Setup Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Build via Integration | Users with an existing accounting system. Brings in your general ledger trial balance to build the chart of accounts quickly and enables efficient actuals import. |
| Build Manually | Users with no pre-existing data, or those who prefer to build their chart of accounts from scratch. Not recommended. |
Experience tells us very few users choose to build manually when an integration is available. If a time-saving option exists, there are very few reasons to enter your chart of accounts by hand.
Available Integrations
Castaway directly integrates with with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or Excel. All Castaway users, including those on a trail / evaluator account, have access to all integrations. Using an integration allows you to build your chart of accounts quickly and, when you are ready, import actuals data for multiple periods in minutes.
For more guidance refer to - Overview: Building your Chart of Accounts (CoA) via Integrations
Not using Xero, QuickBooks or MYOB?
The Excel integration allows you to import to Castaway from any accounting system or general ledger. It requires one or two additional steps but delivers the same result and efficiency as a direct integration.
For more guidance refer to - Data Integration: Excel and Actuals Templates