(no subject)

[Conrad R. <co...@ri...>]

I run a registered charity in Canada.  I recently installed SQL Ledger
2.0.2 and am populating the chart of accounts, etc.  I am a little
unclear of how to handle USD transactions.

The charity receives donations in both Canadian and U.S. dollars, and
pays expenses in both currencies, and has separate bank accounts for
the two currencies.  The currency of record for the charity is
Canadian dollars.  In SQL-Ledger I have set up USD and CAD bank
accounts.  But I am not sure what is the best way to use SQL-Ledger to
handle the USD to CAD conversions.  To me, it would seem best to have
USD amounts showing in their USD amounts, and then have a clearing take
care of the conversion to CAD.  I would like that these postings to
the clearing account to occur automatically every time a USD transaction
is posted.  But how best to set up the chart of accounts and how best to
enter the amounts using the existing modules.  Or, would it be better to
construct a new module to handle these USD transactions? 

E.g. (assuming USD 1.00 = CAD 1.60 on the day the donation was received)

Donation received:
                            DR          CR
    USD Bank Account       $100
    USD Clearing            $60
    Donations                          $160

Transfer
  
    CAD Bank Account        $80
    USD Bank Account                    $50
    USD Clearing                        $30

Is there a way to enforce the use of the USD Clearing account anytime a
USD transaction is entered?  

I notice that SQL-Ledger has some multicurrency support, but it is
unclear to me how that feature is used.  

Any suggestions most appreciated. 

Conrad Richter