A system for organizing data is provided that includes a default template library and a universe of fields, each of the fields selectable by a user to apply to a particular modifiable template. The default template library includes a plurality of modifiable templates adapted to describe financial transactions. The system may further includes a processor adapted to relate business data according to a plurality of relations established by the particular modifiable template. The template relates the subset of fields to describe a financial transaction. A method is provided for structuring financial data in a database of transactions that includes selecting a template of a transaction and selecting at least one field for the financial data from a set of fields associated with the template to form a customized template. The customized template describes a relationship between the financial data.