The Default Accounts Production System setting in Firm Settings turns the BrightWorkpapers Dual Codes feature on by default for every new file your firm creates. It is a firm-wide change, not a per-file one.

Important: Dual Codes cannot be turned off on a file once that file has been created. A file created with Dual Codes keeps them for the life of the file. If you create files with Dual Codes by mistake, the only way to get a normal file is to create a new one.

In this article, we will be covering what this setting means for the files your firm creates from that point on.

For what Dual Codes are and how a single dual codes file works, see How to create a dual codes file.

Before you change this setting

Two things are worth being clear about:

• Every new file will have Dual Codes. Anyone in your firm creating a file gets Dual Codes by default from that point on.
• Those files can never be changed back. There is no way to remove Dual Codes from a file once it has been created.

If you are not sure whether your firm should be using Dual Codes, leave the setting on - None - and check with whoever manages your firm's templates and accounting structures

What changes for every new file

1. The accounting structure is fixed and cannot be changed

The accounting structure linked to your accounts production software is applied automatically and cannot be swapped or cleared. On the Trial Balance page these options are switched off:

• Map Accounting Structure (Industry templates)
• Map Accounting Structure (Custom templates)
• Clear mapping

The accounting structure can still be edited and saved. It cannot be changed for a different one or reset.

2. The Trial Balance shows accounts production codes instead of lead schedules

The Lead Schedule column is replaced with Primary accounts. Lead schedule mappings move to the Chart of Accounts page under Accounting Structure.

3. Codes need mapping before the figures are complete

On import, codes are mapped automatically where a mapping already exists between your client's bookkeeping software and your accounts production software. Anything unmatched is flagged as unmapped and must be mapped by hand in the Dual Codes Mapper, using either the nominal code or the description.This is the main day-to-day change: every new file now has a mapping step that normal files do not.

4. Rolling a file forward keeps Dual Codes 

The chart of accounts and accounting structure mappings carry forward, so next year's file is a dual codes file too.

What this setting does not do

It does not change existing files. Files already created carry on exactly as they are.

It does not set your clients' bookkeeping software. That is a separate setting for each client — Default Bookkeeping Source, on the Defaults tab of the client record.

It does not remove your ability to create a normal file. Whoever creates a file can turn Dual Codes off for that file under Advanced options on the New File screen — but this has to be done at the point of creation.

Turning it on

1. Go to Firm Settings
   
2. Under File Settings, find Default Accounts Production System
   
3. Select your accounts production software from the dropdown
   
4. Read the warning message and confirm

Turning it off

1. Go to Firm Settings
   
2. Under File Settings, find Default Accounts Production System
   
3. Set the dropdown back to - None -
   
4. Read the warning message and confirm

New files will no longer default to Dual Codes.*Turning this setting off does not remove Dual Codes from files that already have them. Those files keep Dual Codes permanently.*