The short answer
A bank import is evidence of an account event. It still needs the correct match or category, and the resulting books need reconciliation against an independent statement.
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Keep the three stages distinct
Importing brings an account event into the feed. Bookkeeping classifies or matches it to the appropriate record. Reconciliation compares the account records with a statement and resolves differences. Success at one stage does not establish completion of the others.
This distinction matters when a dashboard shows zero new imports. That result may mean there was nothing new to add, or it may require checking the account connection, filters or supported date range.
Find the correct account and scope
In Rentari, check the account name and masked bank details, then the feed's date and status filters. An unbooked view omits items already booked or excluded. Switching accounts can change the available view, so read the selected filters again.
Confirm whether the account is linked or manual. A manual account needs its appropriate import or entry workflow. Restoring an account does not necessarily renew an external bank authorization.
Worked example: similar rows are not proof of duplication
Two $125 payments on the same date could be separate purchases. Compare the statement, descriptions, references and original accounts. If a feed import and a CSV refer to the same event, record the reviewed decision using the available comparison workflow.
Do not alter dates or rename an account merely to force an importer to accept a row. Preserve the original file and investigate skipped rows, overlaps and unreadable data from the import result.
Review the saved bookkeeping result
After matching or categorizing, confirm the correct property, account, amount and record. Check for an existing entry before adding one. A booked expense and a rent payment attempt answer different questions; use Payments for collection and settlement status.
If a save times out, reload the record before repeating the action. Contact support with masked account details and the specific error when the outcome remains uncertain.
Reconcile to the statement
Compare opening balance, period activity and closing balance against the bank statement. Investigate timing items and unmatched entries rather than forcing a balancing transaction without an explanation.
Only then use the report for its stated scope. An exported file may have a different period or filter from another view. Review the heading, account, property and coverage notes whenever sharing financial figures.
Separate loan payment components
Use the lender statement to review principal, interest, escrow and any extra principal. In Rentari's loan payment workflow, check the loan, payment date and statement balance before recording the breakdown. The components must equal the total withdrawal. Inspect the saved payment before retrying an uncertain save. Follow the loan payment guide and the escrow disbursement guide rather than entering the withdrawal again as a separate expense.
IRS Publication 527 explains that mortgage principal payments cannot simply be deducted as expenses. Review the applicable tax-year rules and the payment's actual purpose with your tax preparer.
Keep assets distinct from ordinary expenses
A fixed-asset classification in the bank feed does not complete an asset's depreciation schedule. Follow the fixed-asset guide to check the property, cost basis, non-depreciable value, in-service date and useful life against purchase records. Avoid recording the same withdrawal again as a purchase expense.
IRS Publication 527 distinguishes repairs from improvements and explains basis and depreciation. Keep the purchase and improvement records; an asset entry or suggested category does not establish an allowable deduction.
Set narrow recurring rules
Choose an account and a stable description that identifies the intended recurring transaction. Check the amount criteria, booking type, category and rental. A broad supplier name can also match another property's purchase. Follow the matching-rule guide for the actual controls and results.
The basic Create rule form can immediately book eligible existing matches and apply to later imports. Review before saving. The advanced editor offers preview and review choices; saving there does not process existing imports. Inspect matched, booked and skipped counts when you deliberately run rules.
Split shared costs and explain exclusions
Allocate a shared invoice using its actual breakdown. In Rentari's split workflow, assign each line its property or portfolio, category and amount, then confirm the allocation equals the original total. Inspect the resulting entries instead of adding another expense for the same bank withdrawal.
For an item that does not belong in the rental books, confirm its purpose and any existing match before excluding it through the available workflow. Keep enough source evidence to explain the decision. Excluding a row changes what appears in the bookkeeping view; it does not cancel the bank event. Finish by reconciling to the statement and reviewing the same period and rental in Reports.
Written and maintained by the Rentari team. Examples explain a decision; they are not customer results. This is general education. Confirm the rules and treatment for your property with a qualified local professional. Found an error or an unclear step? Send a correction with this page's address and the detail to review.
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