---
title: Master data overview
description: "## General master data The general master data applies to all clients and accounting years.   | Master Data | Explanation | | --- | --- | | Clients | Natural persons and legal entities for whom the accounting is…"
url: "https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/master-data-finance/master-data-overview/"
updated: "2025-09-11"
category: Finances / Master data
---

# Master data overview

## General master data

The general master data applies to all clients and accounting years.  

| Master Data | Explanation |
| --- | --- |
| Clients | Natural persons and legal entities for whom the accounting is done in ChurchTools. |
| Accounting years | Period between two balance sheet dates whose business activities are summarised in an annual financial statement. |
| Tax types | Various tax types |
| Account types | Breakdown of which accounts are to be included in the balance sheet. |
| Account classes | First level of classification in the chart of accounts: systematic organisation of accounts according to function, type or purpose. |
| Account groups | Second level of the chart of accounts: Further subdivision of the account classes. |

## Specific master data

This master data applies to the selected combination of client and accounting year.  

| Master Data | Explanation |
| --- | --- |
| Accounts | All accounts contained in the accounts chart. |
| Cost Centers | Allocation of income and expenditure (e.g. to teams) |
| Purposes | Definition of reoccuring income or expenses enabling quicker transaction bookings. |
| Taxes | Tax rates (%) |

#### Read more

- [How to add a new client](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/master-data-finance/19-how-to-add-a-new-client/)
- [How to add a new accounting year](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/master-data-finance/19-how-to-add-a-new-accounting-year/)
- [How to set up an account chart](https://staging.churchtools.academy/en/help/churchtools-modules/master-data-finance/how-to-set-up-an-account-chart/)