Term · Integrations & automation
Accounting integration
An accounting integration connects your accounting software with other software. Orders, invoices and customers then end up in your accounts automatically.
In short
An accounting integration is a connection between your accounting software and another system, such as your webshop, CRM or planning. Invoices, payments and customers then transfer automatically. Many packages have standard integrations; if one does not fit, a custom integration via the API is possible.
What is an accounting integration?
An accounting integration is a connection between your accounting software and another system, so that data transfers automatically. Think of sales invoices from your webshop, hours from your planning or customers from your CRM.
Well-known packages with accounting in the Netherlands are Exact Online, AFAS, SnelStart and Moneybird. All four have an API: an entrance through which other software can exchange data.
How does an accounting integration work?
There are two kinds:
- Standard integration. Ready-made, often found in the app store or the list of integrations of your package. Exact Online, for example, has an App Store, and SnelStart an overview of software integrations. A well-known standard integration is the bank integration: the credits and debits on your business account then appear in your accounts automatically.
- Custom integration. Built for your situation, via the package's API. Needed if there is no standard integration, or if your data needs to flow differently. With some packages you first register such an integration with the supplier. SnelStart, for example, requires this.
An integration works one way, for example invoices to the accounts. Or both ways, with for example the payment status also going back to your CRM.
Example in an SME
Made-up example
A wholesaler sells via a webshop and books in an accounting package. With an accounting integration, every paid order arrives in the accounts as a sales invoice, with the correct VAT and general ledger account. Anything that does not fit, such as an unknown customer, goes onto a list for the accounts team.
What should you watch for?
- General ledger and VAT. Agree with your accountant how the integration books: to which accounts and with which VAT codes.
- Duplicate data. Prevent a customer or invoice from coming in twice. Choose one system as the source for each piece of data.
- Access. The integration gets permissions in your accounts. Do not give more permissions than necessary.
- Maintenance. Suppliers sometimes change their API. An integration therefore needs maintenance.
Do you receive invoices on paper or as a PDF? Then there is a step before the integration: OCR or document recognition. Also read what an API integration is, and how I build integrations between your systems.
Frequently asked questions
What does an accounting integration cost?
The cost of a standard integration differs per package and per provider; check with the provider for the current price. For a custom integration you pay for the build and the maintenance. What that costs depends on your packages, how good their API is and how much data goes back and forth. With me, you get a proposal with a fixed price after the business analysis. Read more in what an API integration costs.
Should your accountant be involved?
That is wise. Your accountant knows what the bookings should look like. That way you avoid an integration that runs smoothly, but books incorrectly.
Is an ERP the same as accounting software?
No. Accounting software is about your finances. An ERP brings more together: purchasing, stock and sales as well.
Sources: Exact Online REST API, Exact Online App Store (in Dutch), AFAS: connecting external software (in Dutch), SnelStart: integrations (in Dutch), SnelStart: registering an API integration (in Dutch) and Moneybird: API documentation. Consulted on 7 October 2026.
Written by Bart van Engelenhoven Founder of Uniekaiconsultancy in Ede, the Netherlands. Bart analyses how SMEs work and builds software, integrations and AI applications himself. Last updated: 23 October 2026
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Term
API integration
What is an API integration? Two systems exchange data themselves via their API, so nobody has to retype it. With an example and what to watch for.
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ERP system
What is an ERP system? One package for your entire operation, from purchasing and stock to finances. With the difference with accounting software and CRM.
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OCR (optical character recognition)
What is OCR? Software that recognises text on a scan or photo and turns it into readable text. With an example and the step to AI document recognition.
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