Bank Statement Converter
Convert your bank statements from CSV or Excel format into QuickBooks-compatible OFX or QBO files. This makes it easy to import bank transactions without manual data entry.
Overview
The Bank Statement Converter transforms your bank exports into standardized financial data formats:
| Input Format | Output Format | Compatible With |
|---|---|---|
| CSV (.csv) | OFX (.ofx) | QuickBooks, Quicken, most accounting software |
| Excel (.xlsx) | QBO (.qbo) | QuickBooks (optimized format) |
Supported Regions
The converter supports banks from:
- United States – USD currency, US bank list
- Canada – CAD currency, Canadian bank list
Step 1: Prepare Your Bank Statement
Download from Your Bank
- Log in to your online banking
- Navigate to your account statements or transaction history
- Export transactions as CSV or Excel format
- Save the file to your computer
Required Columns
Your bank statement must include these three essential pieces of information:
| Required Data | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | Transaction date |
| Amount | Transaction amount (positive or negative) |
| Description | Transaction description or memo |
Column Names
Your bank may use different column names (e.g., "Transaction Date", "Debit/Credit", "Details"). You'll map these to the required fields during conversion.
Step 2: Upload Your Statement
- Log in to your Acclarity account
- Go to Bank Statement for QBD from the main menu
- Click Upload Button or drag and drop your file
- Select your Location (United States or Canada)
Step 3: Configure Conversion Settings
Bank and Account Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Bank | Select your bank from the dropdown list |
| Account Type | Choose "Checking" or "Credit Card" |
| Account Number | Your bank account number |
| Routing Number | Your bank's routing number |
| Currency | USD or CAD |
Date Format
Select the date format that matches your bank statement:
- MM/DD/YYYY (e.g., 01/15/2024)
- DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., 15/01/2024)
- YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2024-01-15)
- And other common formats
Date Format Mismatch
If you select the wrong date format, conversion will fail with an error. Make sure to check a few dates in your file to identify the correct format.
Column Mapping
Map your file's columns to the required fields:
| Required Field | Map to Your Column |
|---|---|
| Date | Select the column containing transaction dates |
| Amount | Select the column containing transaction amounts |
| Description | Select the column containing transaction details |
Step 4: Convert and Download
At the bottom of the form, you'll see two download buttons. Choose the format you need:
- Review all your settings
- Click Download OFX or Download QBO
- The conversion will process automatically
- Your converted file will download to your computer
Output Format Options
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| OFX (Open Financial Exchange) | Universal format supported by most financial software including QuickBooks, Quicken, Microsoft Money, and others. Best choice for maximum compatibility. |
| QBO (QuickBooks Format) | Optimized specifically for QuickBooks with additional metadata. Best choice if you only use QuickBooks. |
Importing into QuickBooks
After downloading your converted file:
QuickBooks Online
- Go to Banking → Upload transactions
- Select the bank account to import into
- Browse and select your OFX/QBO file
- Review the imported transactions
- Categorize and match transactions as needed
QuickBooks Desktop
- Go to File → Utilities → Import → Web Connect Files
- Select your OFX/QBO file
- Choose the account to import into
- Review and accept the transactions
Account Types Explained
Checking Account
For regular bank accounts with deposits and withdrawals:
- Positive amounts = deposits (credits)
- Negative amounts = withdrawals (debits)
Credit Card
For credit card statements:
- Positive amounts = payments/credits
- Negative amounts = charges/purchases
Amount Signs
Some banks use reversed signs for credit cards. The converter handles this automatically for known banks.
Troubleshooting
Common Errors
Invalid Date Format
Error: "The selected date format does not match the format in the source file"
Solution: Check your bank statement and select the correct date format. Look at several dates to be sure of the pattern.
Invalid Amount Format
Error: "Invalid amount format in the document"
Solution: Ensure the Amount column contains only numbers. Remove currency symbols, commas, or text from the source file if necessary.
Columns Not Found
Error: "The following columns were not found in the uploaded file"
Solution: Verify that you've correctly mapped all required columns (Date, Amount, Description).
Invalid Bank FID
Error: "Invalid bank FID"
Solution: Select a bank from the dropdown list. If your bank isn't listed, contact support.
File Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| File won't upload | Check file size and format (CSV or XLSX only) |
| Empty or corrupt file | Re-download from your bank |
| Wrong encoding | Save CSV as UTF-8 encoding |
Best Practices
- Review before importing – Always review transactions in QuickBooks after import
- Keep original files – Save your original bank statements for reference
- Import promptly – Convert and import statements regularly to stay current
- Avoid duplicates – Don't import the same date range twice
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I convert multiple months at once?
A: Yes, as long as all transactions are in a single file, you can convert any date range.
Q: What if my bank isn't in the list?
A: Contact support with your bank name and location. We regularly add new banks to our database.
Q: Can I edit the converted file?
A: OFX and QBO files are formatted data files. If you need to make changes, edit your source CSV/Excel file and convert again.
Q: Does the converter modify my original file?
A: No, your original file is never modified. The converter creates a new file in OFX or QBO format.