Wave + Bookkeepers: Faster Bank Import
Bookkeepers deal with statements from dozens of different banks, each with its own PDF format. Copy-pasting transactions is error-prone and tedious. If you use Wave for your accounting, you need a fast way to get bank statement data into the system.
BankScan AI for Bookkeepers Using Wave
BankScan AI converts any bank statement PDF to CSV formatted for direct import into Wave. BankScan AI handles every major UK bank format automatically. Upload the PDF, download the spreadsheet — no manual data entry needed.
The Bookkeepers + Wave Workflow
Bookkeepers collect bank statements from clients weekly or monthly, categorise each transaction against the chart of accounts, reconcile balances, and flag discrepancies. They typically process statements in batches by client, posting entries into cloud accounting software before month-end close.
Key terms you'll encounter: chart of accounts, bank feed, transaction categorisation, month-end close.
How It Works
Upload any bank statement PDF
Supports all major banks. Saves approximately 30 minutes per client per month on data entry, freeing up 8-10 hours per week for a bookkeeper with 20+ clients
AI formats for Wave
Output as CSV with Date, Description, Amount — Wave supports both single amount column and separate Income/Expense columns — dates in YYYY-MM-DD or MM/DD/YYYY.
Import and reconcile
In Wave, go to Banking > Connected Accounts > Upload a bank statement (CSV). Select the file, map columns to Date, Description, and Amount, then import. Wave's invoicing is tightly coupled with bank imports — when you import a bank deposit, Wave suggests matching it to outstanding invoices automatically.
Supported Banks
BankScan AI works with all major UK and US banks, including:
Wave Features for Bookkeepers
- Wave ready — Output formatted as CSV matching Wave's expected column structure
- Smart integration — Wave's invoicing is tightly coupled with bank imports — when you import a bank deposit, Wave suggests matching it to outstanding invoices automatically.
- Built for Bookkeepers — Saves approximately 30 minutes per client per month on data entry, freeing up 8-10 hours per week for a bookkeeper with 20+ clients
- Software compatible — Output works directly with Xero, QuickBooks Online, FreeAgent
Import Steps for Bookkeepers Using Wave
As bookkeeper, here's how to get bank data into Wave:
- In Wave, go to Banking > Connected Accounts > Upload a bank statement (CSV)
- Select the file, map columns to Date, Description, and Amount, then import
Common Import Issues
Wave's free tier has occasional processing delays on large files. Also, Wave uses MM/DD/YYYY by default which conflicts with UK DD/MM/YYYY — select the correct format during import.
Wave Import — Built for Bookkeepers
Completely free with no paid tier for accounting features (monetised through payment processing). Popular with budget-conscious startups and side-hustlers.
Try Free — Wave + Bookkeepers