diff --git a/account_sync.py b/account_sync.py
index af97525..b5d277f 100644
--- a/account_sync.py
+++ b/account_sync.py
@@ -94,10 +94,17 @@ async def sync_accounts_from_beancount(force_full_sync: bool = False) -> dict:
     This ensures Castle DB has metadata entries for all accounts that exist
     in Beancount, enabling permissions and user associations to work properly.
 
-    New behavior (soft delete):
+    New behavior (soft delete + virtual parents):
     - Accounts in Beancount but not in Castle DB: Added as active
     - Accounts in Castle DB but not in Beancount: Marked as inactive (soft delete)
     - Inactive accounts that return to Beancount: Reactivated
+    - Missing intermediate parents: Auto-created as virtual accounts
+
+    Virtual parent auto-generation example:
+        Beancount has: "Expenses:Supplies:Food"
+        Missing parent: "Expenses:Supplies" (doesn't exist in Beancount)
+        → Auto-create "Expenses:Supplies" as virtual account
+        → Enables granting permission on "Expenses:Supplies" to cover all Supplies:* children
 
     Args:
         force_full_sync: If True, re-check all accounts. If False, only add new ones.
@@ -112,6 +119,7 @@ async def sync_accounts_from_beancount(force_full_sync: bool = False) -> dict:
                 "accounts_skipped": 148,
                 "accounts_deactivated": 5,
                 "accounts_reactivated": 1,
+                "virtual_parents_created": 3,
                 "errors": []
             }
     """
@@ -150,6 +158,7 @@ async def sync_accounts_from_beancount(force_full_sync: bool = False) -> dict:
         "accounts_skipped": 0,
         "accounts_deactivated": 0,
         "accounts_reactivated": 0,
+        "virtual_parents_created": 0,
         "errors": [],
     }
 
@@ -221,11 +230,50 @@ async def sync_accounts_from_beancount(force_full_sync: bool = False) -> dict:
                     logger.error(error_msg)
                     stats["errors"].append(error_msg)
 
+    # Step 3: Auto-generate virtual intermediate parent accounts
+    # For each account in Beancount, check if all parent levels exist
+    # If not, create them as virtual accounts
+    all_account_names = set(castle_accounts_by_name.keys())
+
+    for bc_account in beancount_accounts:
+        account_name = bc_account["account"]
+        parts = account_name.split(":")
+
+        # Check each parent level (e.g., for "Expenses:Supplies:Food", check "Expenses:Supplies")
+        for i in range(1, len(parts)):
+            parent_name = ":".join(parts[:i])
+
+            # Skip if parent already exists
+            if parent_name in all_account_names:
+                continue
+
+            # Create virtual parent account
+            try:
+                parent_type = infer_account_type_from_name(parent_name)
+                await create_account(
+                    CreateAccount(
+                        name=parent_name,
+                        account_type=parent_type,
+                        description=f"Auto-generated virtual parent for {parent_name}:* accounts",
+                        is_virtual=True,
+                    )
+                )
+
+                stats["virtual_parents_created"] += 1
+                all_account_names.add(parent_name)  # Track so we don't create duplicates
+                logger.info(f"Created virtual parent account: {parent_name}")
+
+            except Exception as e:
+                error_msg = f"Failed to create virtual parent {parent_name}: {e}"
+                logger.error(error_msg)
+                stats["errors"].append(error_msg)
+
     logger.info(
         f"Account sync complete: "
         f"{stats['accounts_added']} added, "
         f"{stats['accounts_reactivated']} reactivated, "
         f"{stats['accounts_deactivated']} deactivated, "
+        f"{stats['virtual_parents_created']} virtual parents created, "
         f"{stats['accounts_skipped']} skipped, "
         f"{len(stats['errors'])} errors"
     )