Last Updated: 10/08/2026
Custom AccountingIntegrations
How accounting integrations work at Yellow Dog, how we determine whether a request is standard or custom, and what to expect if custom accounting development is required.
Discovery
Support
1. Integration Overview
Yellow Dog supports many accounting systems using established export formats. In most cases, these standard accounting integrations can be implemented quickly using existing templates.
In some situations, a client's accounting requirements fall outside of these formats. When that happens, Yellow Dog offers custom accounting integrations, which follow a defined discovery, development, and testing process. This playbook walks through both paths, so you know exactly what to expect.
2. Standard vs. Custom
Which path applies depends on whether your accounting system matches one of our supported export formats.
Standard Integration
IncludedUses one of Yellow Dog's existing, supported export formats.
- Your accounting system matches a supported format
- You can use one of our documented sample files
- No changes to file structure or logic are required
- Included in your proposal
- No additional discovery required
- Implemented during the normal onboarding process
Custom Integration
RetainerRequired when your accounting needs fall outside our supported formats.
- Your system does not match a supported sample file
- Your system requires a unique file layout or structure
- You need changes beyond documented formats
- A free feasibility discovery call
- A custom accounting retainer
- Development, testing, and revisions tracked against that retainer
The Custom Path at a Glance
Nine steps from sales review to go-live. Highlighted steps are gates — the process does not advance until they are complete.
Sales Review
Sales Guide confirms system, export type, and fit
Custom Accounting Overview
What custom development, billing, and testing involve
Client Information Submission
Required before discovery can be scheduled
Free Feasibility Discovery
1-hour call with an integration specialist
Feasibility Confirmation
Yellow Dog confirms the export can be built
Proposal & Retainer
Work begins once signed and retainer is paid
Custom Development
Integrations team builds and tests the file
Testing & Validation
You test imports; we adjust as needed
Go-Live & Support
10 business days of go-live support
Discovery to Feasibility
Steps 1–5 take place during the sales process, before any development work or retainer is required.
Sales Review
During the sales process, your Sales Guide will review:
- Your accounting system and version
- The type of accounting data you want to export — Accounts Payable (AP), Journal Entries (JE), or both
- Whether your needs align with a standard supported format
Custom Accounting Overview
If custom accounting is required, your Sales Guide will provide a Custom Accounting Overview that explains:
- What custom accounting development involves
- How Yellow Dog builds custom accounting files
- How time is tracked and billed
- How testing and validation work
This step ensures expectations are aligned before any work begins.
Client Information Submission
Before discovery is scheduled, we require specific information from you, which may include:
- Accounting system and version
- Desired export type(s) — AP, JE, or both
- Import specifications or documentation
- Sample files (if available)
- Chart of accounts or GL structure
- Any special formatting or business rules
Feasibility Discovery Call
Once your information is submitted, Sales schedules a free 1-hour discovery call with a Yellow Dog accounting integration specialist.
- Review the information you provided
- Confirm whether the requested export is feasible
- Clarify scope and complexity
- File design or mapping
- Development or configuration
- Testing or implementation
Feasibility Confirmation
Following discovery, Yellow Dog confirms whether the requested custom accounting export can be built, and Sales communicates next steps.
If the request is not feasible, Sales will discuss alternatives or supported options where available.
Project Start
Proposal Signed · Retainer Paid
If feasible, Custom Accounting is added to your proposal. Work begins once the proposal is signed and the required retainer is paid.
Step 6 · Proposal & Retainer
Like other professional services, the retainer is applied to all time spent related to your custom accounting project. Time is tracked throughout the engagement and applied against the retainer balance.
| Category | Retainer Time Includes, but Is Not Limited To |
|---|---|
| Communication | All email, phone, and instant messaging communication; client meetings and technical communication |
| Per-person time | All time spent per person involved — e.g., a one-hour meeting with two Yellow Dog team members consumes two hours of retainer time |
| Build | File design and development; configuration and setup |
| Quality | Testing and validation; revisions and rework; troubleshooting and documentation |
| Coordination | Internal coordination and project management |
Once the proposal is signed and the retainer is paid, the project is formally started, and an expected start window and estimated completion timeframe will be communicated. These timelines are based on:
- The scope confirmed during discovery
- Timely client responsiveness
- No material changes to requirements
Because custom accounting work is collaborative, timely responses are critical to maintaining project momentum.
We require active participation during the engagement. If we cannot proceed due to lack of response, missing information, or stalled decision-making:
- The project may be placed into an inactive state
- Work will pause until the required information or response is received
Any change to requirements after work has begun is treated as a scope change. When one occurs:
- The change will be clearly identified and communicated
- Prior estimates, timelines, and assumptions are no longer considered valid
- Additional time draws against the existing retainer or requires approval for additional hours
No expanded work proceeds without alignment and acknowledgment.
Once the project is completed and formally closed, the engagement is considered finished and any remaining retainer is reconciled per agreement.
Development to Go-Live
After payment, your project is handed off to the Integrations team. Time is tracked throughout and applied against the retainer.
Custom Accounting Development
A dedicated specialist manages development and communication. During this phase, we:
- Build the custom file format
- Configure exports and delivery methods
- Perform internal testing
- Provide test files for your review
Testing & Validation
Testing is a collaborative process: Yellow Dog provides test files, you test imports in your accounting system, and results are reviewed with adjustments made as needed.
Requirement changes or new requests require additional time. All revisions and re-testing draw down against the retainer.
Go-Live & Support Period
Once testing is successful, the export is finalized and production schedules (if applicable) are confirmed. Yellow Dog provides 10 business days of go-live support following initial production delivery to:
- Validate successful delivery
- Address initial questions or issues
- Ensure a smooth transition to regular use
Requests beyond this support period, or new changes after go-live, may require additional time approval.
Throughout the process, we:
- Track time carefully
- Communicate progress clearly
- Notify you as the retainer balance is used
- Request approval before proceeding if additional time is required
Custom integrations support unique business needs while maintaining reliability and accuracy. Our structured process exists to:
- Set clear expectations
- Prevent surprises
- Deliver dependable accounting outputs
- Respect everyone's time
