A bank feed can reduce data entry, but it does not explain every payment or guarantee that a set of property accounts is correct. The important test is how the software helps you investigate and reconcile the records. This practical guide was reviewed on 16 October 2026.
Map the information flow
Ask the supplier to show how bank information enters the system and how it is associated with a property or tenancy. Check the supported accounts directly rather than assuming every account will connect.
Use fictional examples for a transfer between your own accounts, a combined payment and a transaction needing clarification. See whether the software makes it easy to review an uncertain item instead of assigning it silently.
Establish what happens if an import is delayed, repeated or interrupted. Decide who will identify missing periods and check that a later update has not duplicated entries.
Keep corrections understandable
Test how a mistaken allocation is corrected. Check whether you can see the original information, the adjustment and any explanatory note.
Attach evidence where appropriate and use descriptions that another person can understand. Avoid creating categories simply to make an unexplained item disappear from an exceptions list.
Agree a reconciliation routine with the person responsible for the accounts. Compare the relevant records and investigate differences rather than accepting a dashboard total as proof that everything matches.
Confirm the reporting scope
Distinguish bookkeeping features from tax submission functions. HMRC publishes guidance on choosing software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax; check the requirements applicable to you and confirm the product supports the work you need.
Discuss the proposed setup with your accountant or adviser. Ask what reports and exports they require, and test those outputs during the trial. A familiar-looking report may still omit information needed for your circumstances.
Obtain current written pricing for bank connections, additional users and relevant reporting functions. Check how records can be exported if you leave the service.
Choose a system that makes exceptions visible and corrections clear. Automation is most useful when it supports careful review, rather than encouraging you to stop examining the transactions behind the figures.