How to Set Up Accounting Mappings in Slash

Overview

Once you've connected your accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero, or Sage Intacct) and configured your basic settings, the next step is setting up accounting mappings. Mappings automatically categorize your incoming transactions with the right accounts, vendors, classes, or customers using simple rules that you control.

Instead of reviewing and tagging every transaction manually, you define rules once and Slash applies them to all future transactions. You can still override any mapping on individual transactions during review.

How Mappings Work

On the Mappings settings page, you can create rules based on:

• Merchant: Automatically categorize transactions from specific vendors (e.g., always map "Starbucks" to "Coffee Expense").
• Merchant category: Map entire spending categories based on the merchant category code (e.g., all "Restaurants" transactions to "Employee Meals").
• Card: Route all transactions from a specific Slash card to a particular account (e.g., a Facebook Ads card to "Marketing Expenses").
• Card group: Apply the same mapping to all cards in a group (e.g., all Engineering Team cards to "Engineering Expenses").
• Virtual account: Assign transactions from specific virtual accounts to projects or locations.

Rule Priority

When multiple rules could apply to a single transaction, Slash uses the most specific rule. The priority order is:

1. Merchant (most specific)
2. Merchant category
3. Card
4. Card group
5. Virtual account (least specific)

For example, if a card is mapped to a general "Marketing" account but a transaction at Starbucks comes through, and you've mapped Starbucks to a "Coffee Expense" account, the Starbucks merchant rule takes priority.

How to Set Up Mapping Rules

Step 1: Navigate to Mapping Settings

From your Slash dashboard, click Accounting in the left sidebar. On the Accounting page, click the Settings button (gear icon) in the top-right corner. This takes you to the accounting settings page. Navigate to the Mapping Settings section.

Step 2: Choose Your Mapping Type

Choose the type of mapping you want to create. You can map a Slash card, card group, merchant category, merchant, or virtual account to an account, class, vendor, or customer in your connected accounting software.

Example: Mapping a Card to an Account

1. In Mapping Settings, click the Account tab (the label will match your platform — e.g., "QuickBooks Account" if using QuickBooks).
2. Select a Slash card from the dropdown.
3. Choose the accounting software account you want to map it to (e.g., "Marketing Expenses").

All future transactions on that card will automatically be categorized to the selected account.

Example: Mapping a Card to a Class

1. In Mapping Settings, click the Class tab.
2. Select a Slash card and choose the class to associate with it.

You can repeat these steps to map other Slash entities to accounts, classes, vendors, and customers in your accounting software.

What Happens After You Set Up Mappings

When a new transaction comes in, the accounting dashboard applies your mapping rules automatically. Transactions appear in the 'In Review' tab with their accounts, classes, and other dimensions already filled in. You can still edit any field before approving the transaction for sync.

Setting up your accounting mappings is a critical part of getting the most out of Slash. Once configured, your transaction data will automatically flow into your accounting software with the correct context, helping you save time and close your books faster.

Need More Help?

If your mapping rules aren't applying as expected, double-check that the accounts and classes exist in your connected accounting software. Slash pulls these values directly from your software, so any changes need to be made there first.

For persistent issues, contact Slash support by emailing support@slash.com, or use the in-app chat in your Slash dashboard.