Article outline
What accounting software expects from bank statement CSV
While each product has specific requirements, most accounting software needs a few core columns to import bank transactions.
Date column
A consistent date format is essential. Most software accepts YYYY-MM-DD or DD/MM/YYYY, but check your specific product's requirements.
Description or payee column
This contains the transaction narrative — the text that helps categorize and identify each transaction after import.
Amount column(s)
Some software expects a single amount column (positive for income, negative for expenses), while others want separate debit and credit columns.
CSV requirements by accounting software
Each major accounting product has slightly different CSV import expectations.
Sage Business Cloud
Sage typically expects date, description, and amount columns. Column mapping is done during the import process inside Sage.
Xero
Xero accepts CSV with date, description, and amount fields. The import wizard lets you map columns to Xero's expected structure.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks Online supports CSV import through the Banking section. It expects date, description, and amount at minimum.
How to prepare bank statement CSV for import
Good preparation starts with the conversion step and ends with a quick format check before import.
Convert with a preview step
Using a converter with a preview ensures the CSV starts from reviewed data rather than blind extraction.
Check column structure
Open the CSV before import and confirm that each column contains the right type of data (date, description, amount).
Match your software's expectations
If your accounting software needs specific column names or date formats, make adjustments before importing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CSV format does accounting software need?
Most accounting software needs columns for date, description, and amount. Specific requirements vary by product.
Does the converter produce CSV ready for accounting software?
The converter produces structured CSV with date, description, and amount columns that can be mapped during import into Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks.
Do I need to reformat the CSV before import?
Usually no. Most accounting software has an import wizard that lets you map columns. Minor adjustments may be needed for date formats.
Can I use the same CSV for different accounting software?
The core data is the same, but column mapping may differ. Each product's import wizard handles the mapping step.