> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/reporting-and-integrations/accounting/what-syncs-to-quickbooks.md).

# What syncs to QuickBooks

Essential keeps your QuickBooks books in step by posting your financial activity as journal entries. It does not push your individual invoices or customer records into QuickBooks. Instead, every entry is booked against a single placeholder customer that Essential creates and reuses, named after your business (for example, EssentialCustomer - Your Business).

This keeps the accounting accurate without cluttering your QuickBooks customer list. What posts depends on your accounting method, set on your business. If you're on accrual, invoice-level entries post: finalizing an invoice records Accounts Receivable, Revenue, and any sales tax; voiding an invoice reverses that; writing off an uncollectable invoice books bad debt; and starting a refund records the refund obligation.

If you're on cash, those invoice-level entries are skipped, because cash-basis books recognize income when money moves, not when an invoice is created. Payments, payouts, and refund disbursements post either way, on both cash and accrual.

So when a payment is received it records the cash and clears the receivable, processor payouts move funds from the clearing account to your operating bank, and a refund leaving your account is booked regardless of method.

Entries only reach QuickBooks once your account mapping is complete and the connection is active and verified.

> **Where to find it:** Settings, then Invoicing, in the accounting integration section once QuickBooks is connected.

## Related guides

* [Account mapping for QuickBooks](/reporting-and-integrations/accounting/account-mapping-for-quickbooks.md)
* [Connecting QuickBooks Online](/reporting-and-integrations/accounting/connecting-quickbooks-online.md)
* [Connecting QuickBooks Desktop (Web Connector)](/reporting-and-integrations/accounting/connecting-quickbooks-desktop-web-connector.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://learn.withessential.com/reporting-and-integrations/accounting/what-syncs-to-quickbooks.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.