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This article explains why the bookkeeping field returns null in the /v3/export-items response and how to enable vendor-based bookkeeping so it returns a value.

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Why bookkeeping Returns null

The bookkeeping field in the export items response is only populated when the Vendor Tagging feature is enabled and a bookkeeping method has been assigned to the expense. Without Vendor Tagging enabled, bookkeeping will always be null. This is expected behaviour, not an error. 
{
  "bookkeeping": null
}

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What to Do When bookkeeping Is null

When bookkeeping is null, use the supplier field on the export item for bookkeeping purposes instead. This is supported for all integrations. See Bookkeeping Method Resolution for how to handle the null case in your integration logic.

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Enable Vendor-Based Bookkeeping

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1. Activate Vendor Tagging

  1. Click Settings from the main left-hand menu
  2. Click Accounting
  3. Select Activate Vendor Tagging at the bottom of your screen
Actovate Vendor Tagging

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Vendor Tagging option not visible?

If you do not see the Activate Vendor Tagging option, first make sure you have at least one vendor created via the API. API Endpoint: POST /v1/vendors Example parameters: companyId: 12abc3d4-e567-890e-1234-abc56e78fabc 
curl --request POST \
  --url https://external.staging.pleo.io/v1/vendors \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json;charset=UTF-8' \
  --data '
{
  "companyId": "12abc3d4-e567-890e-1234-abc56e78fabc",
  "defaultCurrency": "GBP",
  "name": "TestVendor",
  "code": "1234",
  "country": "UK",
  "externalId": "ext-1234",
  "registrationNumber": "Regs-123456",
  "taxRegistrationNumber": "Regstax-12345678"
}'
If it is still not visible after creating a vendor, contact Pleo Support to have it enabled for your account.

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2. Select Vendor

  1. Click Settings from the main left-hand menu
  2. Click Accounting
  3. Select the Vendor you created via the API from the Vendor Tagging drop-down menu
Select a Vendor

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3. Assign bookkeeping methods to expenses

Once Vendor Tagging is active, each expense has a default bookkeeping method assigned automatically:
  • Journal is the default for most expenses
  • Accounts Payable is the default for invoices
Before adding an expense to the export queue, bookkeepers can change the assigned method if needed. This gives them the flexibility to override the default where their accounting requirements differ.
Select Bookkeeping Method

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4. Queue expenses and call the API

After expenses have been queued, the bookkeeping.method field in the /v3/export-items response will return one of the following values:
ValueMeaning
journalRecord as a journal entry
accounts_payableRecord via the accounts payable flow
noneRecord as a journal entry (used for wallet loads, unloads, and balance amendments)