# Integrate an accounting tool

Integrate your accounting solution with Stripe.

Use QuickBooks to bring Stripe data into your accounting workflow. You can also use the [Stripe Connector for NetSuite](https://docs.stripe.com/use-stripe-apps/netsuite/overview.md) and other [Stripe apps](https://marketplace.stripe.com/).

## Export account activity to QuickBooks 

You can’t import IIF-formatted files into QuickBooks Online. Use a [third-party accounting integration](https://stripe.partners/?f_category=accounting) that supports one-click imports of your Stripe activity.

In addition to the CSV-formatted [reports](https://docs.stripe.com/stripe-reports.md) that are available for export in the Dashboard, information about payments, refunds, fees, and *payouts* (A payout is the transfer of funds to an external account, usually a bank account, in the form of a deposit) is also available in a [QuickBooks Desktop](http://quickbooks.intuit.com/)-compatible IIF file. You can download this from the [Legacy exports settings](https://dashboard.stripe.com/account/legacy_exports) in the Dashboard.

You can also use [accounting Stripe apps](https://marketplace.stripe.com/categories/accounting) to automate your bookkeeping, keep your financial data updated, and eliminate the need for manual data entry.

## QuickBooks accounts 

If they don’t already exist, the exported IIF file creates the following nine accounts in QuickBooks. All of the Stripe-created accounts are prefaced by **Stripe** to make them easy to locate and identify.

| Name                           | Type                | Description                                                       |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Stripe Account                 | Bank                | All charges, refunds, and payouts                                 |
| Stripe Checking Account        | Bank                | Represents your actual bank account to which Stripe sends payouts |
| Stripe Payment Processing Fees | Expense             | Processing fees for all charges                                   |
| Stripe Returns                 | Income              | All refunds                                                       |
| Stripe Sales                   | Income              | All charges minus processing fees                                 |
| Stripe Third-Party Account     | Tax-Related Expense | Every transfer to a third-party account                           |
| Stripe Other Fees              | Expense             | Adjustments                                                       |
| Stripe Processing Fees Adj     | Expense             | Adjustments                                                       |
| Stripe Other Income            | Income              | Adjustments                                                       |

If these accounts already exist but are of a different type than what you see in the exports file, QuickBooks presents an error about being unable to change the account type. If this occurs, you can edit the conflicting accounts to have the same type as the IIF file.

> Always back up your QuickBooks data before importing new information.

## Date format and timezones 

The IIF file formats the date as MM/DD/YYYY. QuickBooks uses the same date format as your operating system. If this differs from the exported file, you can temporarily change your operating system’s date format:

1. Set the date format in your operating system to MM/DD/YYYY.
1. Import the QuickBooks IIF file.
1. Change your operating system’s date format back to your preferred style.

Your account’s [timezone setting](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/account) is used for the date range of the IIF export.

## Merge QuickBooks accounts 

You might want to merge one or more of these created accounts with an existing QuickBooks account. In particular, you might want to merge the Stripe Checking Account, which represents the bank where your Stripe payouts are sent, with your actual banking account in QuickBooks:

1. Select **Lists** > **Chart of Accounts** to view all of your accounts.
1. Make sure both accounts being merged are on the same level (that is, both can be sub-accounts or both can be primary level accounts).
1. Select the account you don’t plan to use (for example, **Stripe Checking Account**).
1. At the bottom of the **Chart of Accounts** window, click **Account** > **Edit Account**.
1. Change the name of this account to match the exact name of the other account (the one you want to keep).
1. Click **Save**.

You’re then prompted about merging the account with an existing one. Click **Yes** to proceed with the merge or **No** to cancel. The records in the renamed account are merged into the retained account. Accounts must be merged after each new import.

## Connect platforms with Custom accounts 

Platform owners with Custom accounts can view the Dashboard of connected Stripe accounts. From the connected account’s Dashboard, export an IIF file in the same way as a normal Stripe account.

*Connect* (Connect is Stripe's solution for multi-party businesses, such as marketplace or software platforms, to route payments between sellers, customers, and other recipients) platforms creating charges on behalf of connected accounts that need to generate 1099s for Custom accounts must declare the correct tax-line mapping of the **Stripe Third-Party Account**. This expense account is given an initial tax-line mapping of 1099-MISC: Nonemployee compensation.

For QuickBooks to use **Stripe Third-Party Account** data for the generation of 1099s, you must first enable this feature in the QuickBooks preferences.

1. In QuickBooks, select **Preferences** > **Tax: 1099** > **Company Preferences**.
1. Click the link in **If you want to map your accounts to boxes on Form 1099-MISC, click here**.
1. In the QuickBooks 1099 Wizard, under **Accounts used for 1099**, select **Stripe Third-Party Account**.
1. Under **Apply payments to this 1099 box** for **Stripe Third-Party Account**, select **Box 7: Nonemployee compensation**.