How do I export a trial balance from FreeAgent?
In FreeAgent, open the Accounting tab, choose Reports and select Trial Balance in the Detailed section. In the Date menu choose As at and pick your company's year end, not a custom date range, which leaves out the balances brought forward. Then export the Summary CSV, which lists the balance of each account. Repeat for the previous year end.
Key facts
| Where | Accounting > Reports > Detailed: Trial Balance |
|---|---|
| Date menu | Now; As at [date]; Custom date range; Opening Balances |
| Year-end figures | As at the year end: balances as at a previous year end |
| Custom date range | Only the transactions in the range; no balances brought forward |
| Exports | Summary CSV, Transactions CSV, Chart of accounts CSV, Summary PDF |
As at 28 October 2026.
Export the trial balance
- Open the report. Go to the Accounting tab, select Reports, and in the Detailed section select Trial Balance.
- Choose the date. In the Date drop-down, choose As at and select the last day of the company's accounting year.
- Check the totals. Confirm that debits equal credits and that the figures include your year-end adjustments.
- Export. Choose Summary CSV for one balance per account, or Summary PDF for your records.
- Repeat for last year. Run the report as at the previous year end for the comparatives.
Check before you upload
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| The report date is the last day of the financial year | The accounts are made up to the accounting reference date, or a date up to 7 days either side of it |
| Year-end journals are posted | Depreciation, accruals, prepayments, stock and the tax charge belong in the trial balance you export |
| Debits equal credits | If the totals differ, something is wrong in the books; the accounts cannot balance |
| Last year's closing balances are the opening balances | The comparatives must agree with last year's accounts |
| The director's loan account is right | An amount a director owes the company is disclosed in the notes and may lead to s455 tax |
| VAT and PAYE accounts agree to the returns | They are creditors for taxation and social security, which the balance sheet formats show separately |
| Suspense and clearing accounts are empty | A balance there is an unexplained item that has to be cleared before the accounts are prepared |
FreeAgent's help warns that a custom date range shows only the transactions in that range, with no balances brought forward, and that a range crossing the end of your accounting year needs two reports. For year-end figures use As at.
Work out any s455 tax on a director's loan with the s455 calculator, and the filing date with the filing deadline calculator.
FreeAgent specifics: VAT and the exports
- Standard VAT accounting. The profit and loss figures exclude VAT.
- Flat Rate Scheme. Expenses include VAT, sales are net of the standard rate of VAT, and the difference is in the Flat Rate Scheme Surplus account. Map that account as income.
- Not VAT-registered. Costs include VAT and there are no VAT accounts.
- Which CSV. The Summary CSV lists the balance in each account, which is what accounts software needs. The Transactions CSV breaks the balances down; the Chart of accounts CSV has the codes only, without amounts.
- Opening Balances. The Date menu can show the opening balances, useful to check that they equal last year's closing figures.
Using the export with StatutoryAccounts.io
StatutoryAccounts.io is built to read a trial balance export as Excel, CSV or PDF, suggest the Companies Act line item for each nominal account with AI and let you confirm the mapping. The file to use is the Summary CSV. Keep last year's trial balance as well, unless the comparatives come from the accounts filed at Companies House.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the trial balance in FreeAgent?
On the Accounting tab, under Reports: Trial Balance is in the Detailed section.
Why does my FreeAgent trial balance not show last year's balances?
A custom date range shows only the transactions in that range, without balances brought forward. Choose As at and the year-end date instead.
Which FreeAgent export should I upload?
The Summary CSV, which gives one balance per account. The Transactions CSV is a breakdown, and the Chart of accounts CSV has no amounts.
Do FreeAgent's figures include VAT?
With standard VAT accounting the profit and loss figures exclude VAT. Under the Flat Rate Scheme expenses include VAT and the difference sits in the Flat Rate Scheme Surplus account.
Sources
Prepare your statutory accounts
Create an account and set up your company from the Companies House register; your first set of accounts is free. The trial balance import and the CT600 are in preparation.
Join the waitlistGeneral information about UK company law and tax, not legal or tax advice. The directors remain responsible for the accounts and returns they approve and file.