diff --git a/handlers/account.go b/handlers/account.go
index cd45d42..164d945 100644
--- a/handlers/account.go
+++ b/handlers/account.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func Register(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 	user.Password = hashed
 	user.ID = utils.GenerateUUID()
-	user.Role = "user"
+	user.Role = models.RoleUser
 
 	if err := storage.AddUser(&user); err != nil {
 		log.Println("POST [api/register] " + r.RemoteAddr + ": " + err.Error())
diff --git a/models/dbmodels.go b/models/dbmodels.go
index ad8b428..1dd77fa 100644
--- a/models/dbmodels.go
+++ b/models/dbmodels.go
@@ -24,3 +24,21 @@ type ExpenseShare struct {
 	UserID     string `json:"user_id"`
 	ShareCents int64  `json:"share_cents"`
 }
+
+type Role int
+
+const (
+	RoleUser = iota
+	RoleAdmin
+)
+
+func (r Role) String() string {
+	switch r {
+	case RoleUser:
+		return "user"
+	case RoleAdmin:
+		return "admin"
+	default:
+		return "unknown"
+	}
+}