How to Import Data for the Best Readiness Score

This guide shows you how to prepare and import your accounting data so Conto can automatically match the most transactions. You’ll fix common data quality issues and import files in the correct order.

For background on how the readiness score works, see Understanding Conto’s Readiness Score.

Prerequisites

• Access to your accounting software (QuickBooks Desktop or similar)
• Ability to export Chart of Accounts, General Ledger, and Vendor List
• Microsoft Excel for GL exports

Overview

You’ll prepare three import files, fix data quality issues, then import in order. The Chart of Accounts must exist before GL import works.

Order	File Type	Required	Format
1	Chart of Accounts	Yes	IIF or CSV
2	General Ledger	Yes	Excel (.xlsx)
3	Vendor List	No	IIF or CSV

Steps

1. Fix Generic Payee Names in Your GL

Generic payee names are the most common cause of poor readiness scores. Before exporting, rename these in your accounting software:

Generic Name	Fix
TIP, TIPS, GRATUITY	Replace with actual employee names
PAYROLL, PR, WAGES	Itemize by employee
CASH, PETTY CASH	Use actual vendor names
MISC, MISCELLANEOUS, OTHER	Use specific vendor names
OWNER, MEMBER	Use actual names

If tips are a significant portion of checks, process them through payroll instead of individual checks.

2. Ensure Check Numbers Are Complete

Review your GL for checks missing numbers:

1. Run a check register report filtered to items with blank check numbers
2. Enter check numbers for any manual checks
3. Use reference numbers for electronic payments (ACH, wire transfers)

3. Clean Up Your Vendor List

1. Export your vendor list from your accounting software
2. Merge duplicate entries (e.g., “ABC Corp” and “ABC Corporation”)
3. Replace abbreviations with full business names
4. Verify GL payee names exactly match vendor list names

4. Export Your Files

Export these files from your accounting software:

Chart of Accounts:

• Export as IIF or CSV
• Include all accounts

General Ledger:

• Export as Excel (.xlsx)
• Required columns: Date, Type, Num, Name/Payee, Account, Amount
• Include your desired date range

Vendor List (optional):

• Export as IIF or CSV
• Include all vendors

5. Import to Conto

Import files in this order:

1. Upload Chart of Accounts
2. Upload General Ledger — Conto calculates your readiness score
3. Upload Vendor List (if using)

Verification

After import, check your readiness score display:

• Predicted auto-match percentage shown
• Predicted manual review percentage shown
• Root cause explanation (if Limited or Poor)

If Your Score Is Low

1. Review the root cause explanation
2. Fix the identified issues in your source accounting system
3. Re-export the affected file(s)
4. Re-import to Conto — the score recalculates

You can also proceed with import and accept manual review as part of your workflow.

Pre-Import Checklist

Before exporting from your accounting software:

• Generic payee names renamed where possible
• All checks have check numbers entered
• Vendor list cleaned—duplicates merged, proper names used
• Chart of Accounts has appropriate expense accounts
• GL payee names match vendor list names exactly

Troubleshooting

Can I improve readiness after importing?

Yes. Re-import with cleaner data and the score recalculates.

Vendor match rate is low even with a vendor list

GL payee names must exactly match vendor list names. “ABC Corp” won’t match “ABC Corporation”. Update one or the other to match.

We use generic names intentionally

Conto still works, but expect more manual review. This is a workflow trade-off—if generic names are your process, accept the manual matching.

Not enough transactions for accurate prediction

Conto needs at least 100 transactions for reliable prediction. Import more historical data if available.

Expected Import Columns

General Ledger (Excel)

Column	Required	Description
Date	Yes	Transaction date
Type	Yes	Transaction type (Check, Deposit, etc.)
Num	Yes	Check number or reference
Name	Yes	Payee or payer name
Account	Yes	GL account
Amount	Yes	Transaction amount
Memo	No	Transaction description

Vendor List (IIF/CSV)

Column	Required	Description
Name	Yes	Vendor name
Address	No	Street address
City	No	City
State	No	State/province
Zip	No	Postal code
Account	No	Default expense account

Related

• Understanding Conto’s Readiness Score — How the score works and what affects it
• How to Export General Ledger from QuickBooks Desktop
• How to Export Vendors from QuickBooks Desktop
• How to Export Lists to IIF Files from QuickBooks Desktop