How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners...
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  • How to Create a New Sales Order in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Add an Expense: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Create a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Add a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners

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13
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  • Setup Product Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
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8
  • Retail Sales Order Processing: A Complete Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Create a New Sales Order in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • Adding Payment to Sales Orders: A Simple Guide for Store Owners
  • How Shop Owners Can Easily Cancel Sales Orders Step by Step
  • How to Print Sales Order/Invoice in Ficos for Shop Owners
  • How to Print Payment Receipt: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Share a Sales Order Invoice: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Export Sales Orders in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners

Printing & Barcode Scanning

6
  • Barcode Scanning in Ficos: Simplify Your Retail Operations
  • How to Set Up a Bluetooth Printer in Ficos: A Complete Guide
  • How to Print Sales Order/Invoice in Ficos for Shop Owners
  • How to Print Payment Receipt: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Print Expense Orders in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Print a Refund/Return Order in Ficos: A Guide for Shopkeepers

Expenses

8
  • Expense Management Features: Simplify Financial Tracking with Ficos
  • How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Add an Expense: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Attach Expense Receipts to Expense Orders
  • How to Cancel an Expense in Ficos: Simplify Your Financial Management
  • How to Print Expense Orders in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Share an Expense in Ficos
  • How to Export Expense Orders: A Guide for Shopkeepers

Refunds

7
  • Introduction to Refunds in Ficos: Streamline Your Retail Processes
  • How to Add a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • How to View a Customer’s Refund History in Ficos
  • How to Cancel a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Print a Refund/Return Order in Ficos: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Share a Refund Order in Ficos
  • How to Export Refund Orders: A Guide for Store Owners

Customer Management

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  • Introduction to Customer Management: Elevate Your Retail Game
  • How to Add a Customer: A Simple Guide for Store Owners
  • Customer Loyalty Program: Rewarding Your Most Valued Shoppers
  • Customer analysis tool for small retail businesses
  • How to View a Customer’s Purchase History in Ficos
  • How to Export a Customer’s Sales Orders
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  • How to Export a Customer’s Refund History in Ficos
  • How to View and Export Debtors in Ficos
  • How to Bulk Import Customers: Save Time and Stay Organized
  • How to Export All Customers
  • How to Edit a Customer’s Details in Ficos
  • How to Disable a Customer in Ficos: Keep Your Database Clean and Organized

Suppliers

8
  • Best Practices for Supplier Management in Small Retail Stores
  • Step-by-Step Guide for Shopkeepers to Add Suppliers in Ficos
  • How to Edit and Disable Suppliers in Ficos: Simple Steps for Retailers
  • How Store Owners Can Track and Export Suppliers Owed for Timely Payments
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  • How to solve record-keeping challenges by Exporting a supplier orders
  • How Store Owners Can Overcome Manual Data Entry with Bulk Supplier Import
  • How Store Owners Can Export Suppliers for Better Audit and Compliance

Purchase Orders

6
  • How to Create a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • Add Payment and Attach Supplier Receipt to Purchase Orders
  • How to Check-in Purchase Order Items in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Manage and Track Purchase Orders from a Supplier
  • How to Cancel a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Print, Export, and Share Purchase Orders in Ficos: A Complete Guide

Reports

23
  • Customer Sales Report for retail store owners: Track Sales, Improve Cash Flow, and Manage Debts
  • A Simple Guide to Financial Overview Reports for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Profit and Loss Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Expense Summary Report
  • Expense Trends Report: Simplifying Financial Planning for Storekeepers
  • Understanding Your Expense Audit Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Tax Summary Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Detailed Tax Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Average Order Value Explained: Insights for Retailers to Increase Revenue
  • Retail Sales by Staff: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracking and Improving Team Performance
  • Understanding the Retail Sales by Product Report: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Sales by Category: Essential Insights for Retail Business Owners
  • Interpreting Stock Alerts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Retail Success
  • Spotting Inventory and Price Anomalies – A Store Owner’s Guide
  • Product Sell-Through Rates Explained: Helping Store Owners Make Better Decisions
  • Prevent Overstocking and Waste: The ABC Analysis Solution
  • How the Percent of Inventory Sold Report Helps Retail Store Owners Track Stock
  • How the Days of Inventory Remaining Report Helps Shopkeepers Balance Stock Levels
  • How the Ficos Inventory Balance Report Empowers Retail Success
  • Track Inventory Worth with the Inventory Value Report: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • Customer Aging Report for Store Owners: How to Spot and Solve Overdue Payment Problems
  • Understand New vs. Returning Customers: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Supplier Performance Report: Solve Delivery Delays and Payment Issues for Retailers

Store Insights

15
  • Mastering Your Spending: Understanding High Expense Alerts
  • How the Store Insights Welcome Module Helps You Stay Ahead in Retail Management
  • Understanding the Financial Overview Dashboard in Store Insights
  • Unusual Vendor Alerts: Insights for Smarter Supplier Payments
  • Outstanding Debts Alert: Managing Customer Payments with Confidence
  • Why Top Sellers Store Insights Matter: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Mastering Sales Trends: Essential Store Insights Every Retailer Needs
  • Why Slow-Moving Products Insights Matter: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Average Order Value Store Insights: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Top Customers Store Insights: Understanding and Leveraging Your Best Buyers
  • High-Value Customer Inactivity Insight
  • Inventory Balance Store Insight: Optimize Stock for Maximum Profitability
  • Top Staff Performance Store Insight: A Store Owner’s Guide
  • Unusual Discount Store Insight: Detecting and Managing Discount Anomalies
  • How Peak Periods Store Insight Helps Shopkeepers Optimize Sales and Staffing

Staff Management

5
  • How to Add a Staff Member to Your Store in Ficos
  • How to Edit a Staff Profile in Ficos
  • How to Modify Staff Permissions in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Disable a Staff Member in Ficos
  • Staff Roles & Permissions Reference: A Practical Guide for Shopkeepers
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How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners

How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners

How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners #

Hey there, shopkeeper! Managing your business expenses efficiently is essential for financial success, and Ficos makes it easy. This guide will walk you through setting up expense categories to keep your financial records organized and accurate. By the end, you’ll have a streamlined system for tracking expenses and making informed decisions. Let’s dive in!

 

Why Are Expense Categories Important? #

 

Expense categories are the foundation of effective financial management. They help you:

  • Track Spending: Understand where your money is going to identify savings opportunities.
  • Stay Organized: Group similar expenses for easier analysis and reporting.
  • Make Better Decisions: Use categorized data to plan budgets and reduce unnecessary costs.

With well-organized expense categories, you’ll save time, minimize errors, and set your business up for success.

 

Step 1: Access the Expense Categories Section #

 

Follow these simple steps to get started:

  1. Navigate to Expenses:
    • From the Dashboard, scroll to the Business Manager section.
    • Select Expenses to open the expense management screen.
  2. Open Expense Categories:
    • Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to reveal a dropdown menu.
    • Select Expense Categories to view predefined categories or add new ones.

 

Step 2: Explore Predefined Categories #

 

Ficos provides several predefined categories to cover common business expenses, such as:

  • Rent: Costs for leasing or renting premises.
  • Payroll: Employee wages and related costs.
  • Utilities: Electricity, water, internet, and similar bills.
  • Marketing & Advertising: Expenses for promotions, online ads, and events.

Using these categories ensures your financial records are systematic and easy to manage.

 

Step 3: Add a Custom Expense Category #

 

Every business is unique, and Ficos allows you to create custom categories tailored to your needs:

  1. Tap the + icon in the top-right corner of the Expense Categories screen.
  2. Enter a descriptive name for the new category, like “Freight Costs” or “Event Sponsorships.”
  3. Tap Save Expense Category to add it to your list.

Custom categories let you track expenses that don’t fit predefined options, ensuring accuracy and detail.

 

Step 4: Edit or Disable Categories #

 

As your business evolves, you may need to update or remove categories:

  1. Select the three vertical dots next to a category name in the Expense Categories screen.
  2. Choose from:
    • Edit: Update the category name and save changes.
    • Disable: Remove the category from active use but keep it for historical records.

These options ensure your active categories stay relevant and your records remain accurate.

 

Step 5: Practical Tips for Managing Expense Categories #

 

Here are some tips to get the most out of Ficos’s expense management features:

  • Review Regularly: Update categories as your business needs change.
  • Be Descriptive: Use clear, specific names to make tracking easier.
  • Leverage Reports: Use Ficos’s reporting tools to analyze spending patterns and improve budgeting.

 

Conclusion #

 

Organizing your expenses into categories is essential for managing your business finances effectively. Whether you’re using Ficos’s predefined categories or creating custom ones, you’ll benefit from a streamlined system that saves time and improves accuracy. For more detailed instructions, check out the Ficos Documentation, or reach out to our support team for assistance. Happy managing!

Frequently Asked Questions #

Can I customize predefined expense categories in Ficos? #

Predefined categories cannot be renamed or removed; however, you can create custom categories to suit your business needs. Learn how to add custom categories in the Expense Categories Guide.

Are disabled categories permanently deleted from Ficos? #

No, disabled categories are not deleted. They remain accessible for historical records and reporting purposes. For more, visit the Expense Categories Guide.

Can I use expense categories for generating financial reports? #

Yes, Ficos integrates expense categories into its reporting tools, making it easy to analyze spending trends and generate detailed reports. Refer to the Expense Management Features Guide for details.

What happens if I make a mistake while categorizing an expense? #

You can edit the expense category later to correct errors. Simply navigate to the Manage Expenses section and update the category. For more information, visit the Edit and Disable Categories Guide.

Can I attach receipts to expenses in Ficos? #

Yes, receipts can be attached to expenses for verification and tracking. Follow the steps in the Attach Expense Receipts Guide to learn more.

How do I ensure accurate categorization for tax purposes? #

Use the tax settings field when setting up categories to mark taxable and non-taxable expenses. This helps ensure compliance with local regulations. For more insights, refer to the Detailed Tax Report Guide.

Can I share expense data with my accountant directly from Ficos? #

Yes, Ficos allows you to export and share expense data. Check out the Share an Expense Guide for step-by-step instructions.

How often should I review and update expense categories? #

It is recommended to review and update your expense categories quarterly to reflect any changes in your business operations. For tips on managing categories, visit the Expense Categories Guide.

Effective expense management is a cornerstone of running a successful business. The Expense Categories Feature in Ficos offers you the tools to take control of your financial records, streamline expense tracking, and enhance decision-making. Whether you’re organizing predefined categories or creating custom ones, this feature empowers you to understand spending patterns, identify cost-saving opportunities, and optimize your budgets. Let us help you achieve financial clarity and unlock your business’s full potential!


I'm Jordah, and I understand your challenges #

Juggling expense tracking, financial reporting, and business growth can feel overwhelming. That’s why I created Ficos Ltd—to provide store owners like you with simple yet powerful tools to take control of your finances.

With over 25 years of experience supporting shopkeepers, I know how critical it is to stay on top of expenses. The Expense Categories Feature is just one example of how Ficos can help you stay organized, make informed decisions, and build a resilient business. Let us support you on your journey to financial success.

Get the Ficos App

What our clients say #

I have managed to track my expenses better and been able to budget and plan better

Nayebare Jenuario
Nayebare Jenuario #
★★★★★

Business has never been managed better on an app than with Ficos! No hardware costs, no implementation costs, the LOWEST cost of ownership and business intelligence at your finger tips! Thx Ficos team

Fort High
Fort High #
★★★★★

Excellent app Very useful for business

Christian TABARO
Christian TABARO #
★★★★★

How it Works #

Step 1: Download & Install Ficos #

Go to Appstore or Playstore, search for “Ficos Retail” or click here. Create your account

Step 2: Setup your Store #

Complete your store profile, setup your products and start selling.

Step 3: Thrive & Excel #

Enjoy smoother operations, reduced costs, and increased profits for effortless success.

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Updated on March 23, 2025
Expense Management Features: Simplify Financial Tracking with FicosHow to Add an Expense: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
Table of Contents
  • How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • Why Are Expense Categories Important?
  • Step 1: Access the Expense Categories Section
  • Step 2: Explore Predefined Categories
  • Step 3: Add a Custom Expense Category
  • Step 4: Edit or Disable Categories
  • Step 5: Practical Tips for Managing Expense Categories
  • Conclusion
  • Step 1: Download & Install Ficos
  • Step 2: Setup your Store
  • Step 3: Thrive & Excel

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