Find a list of Contacts without an Account

Two options for retrieving Contacts not associated with accounts

Option 1: Create a List View of Contacts without Accounts

In this scenario, a List View on the Contacts object, with the filter criteria of 'Account Name' 'equals' <blank> will generate a list of Contacts without Accounts. 

Option 2: Use the Data Loader to export the Contacts without Accounts

Since your goal may be to export the records into a spreadsheet, the best way to do this is to use the Data Loader in the following way.

1. Use Data Loader to login to your organization
2. Choose Contact from the list of Salesforce objects.
3. Choose the export file, and click Next.
4. Select AccountID, ID, and any other fields you want to display in the spreadsheet
5. Create a query. This is the most important step. From 'Fields', choose AccountId; from 'Operation' choose equals; leave 'Values' blank. Click Add condition to insert the Where clause.
6. Click Finish.

This will generate a list of Contacts that do not link to any accounts. This is the best way to ensure that an Account link does not exist for this Contact.