diff --git a/examples/equity.hs b/examples/equity.hs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..491520962
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/equity.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env runhaskell
+{-
+Print an entry posting the total balance of the specified account and
+subaccounts, or all accounts, from the default journal. Like ledger's
+equity command. Useful when starting a new journal or closing the books.
+
+Usage: equity.hs [ACCTPAT]
+-}
+import Hledger
+import Hledger.Cli
+import System.Environment
+
+main = do
+  j <- myJournal
+  d <- getCurrentDay
+  args <- getArgs
+  let acctpat = head $ args ++ [""]
+      (acctbals,_) = balanceReport [Flat] (optsToFilterSpec [] [acctpat] d) j
+      txn = nulltransaction{
+              tdate=d,
+              tpostings=[nullposting{paccount=a,pamount=b} | (a,_,_,b) <- acctbals]
+                         ++ [nullposting{paccount="equity:opening balances",pamount=missingamt}]}
+  putStr $ show txn