---
description: >-
  Connecting your accounting platform makes it easy for you to keep track of
  your emissions from purchased goods and services. Explore what vendors and
  purchases your emissions are coming from.
---

# Accounting

## Why connect your accounting platform

You can get the most out of GreenPlaces by utilizing the real-time, up-to-date data from the systems your business uses every day. By connecting your accounting platform, GreenPlaces can provide up-to-date insights on your emissions from purchased goods and services.&#x20;

Purchased Goods and Services are tracked under Scope 3 Category 1. Essentially, the things you buy produced carbon emissions in order to manufacture, deliver, and use them. We use an industry-standard method for calculating emissions using your transaction data.

## What data do we store?

GreenPlaces prioritizes the privacy and data security of your company's financial data. That's why we focus on _storing_ only the minimum amount of data necessary to evaluate your carbon footprint.

### Transactions

<table><thead><tr><th width="224">Transaction Data</th><th>Reason</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Description</td><td>We try to categorize your expenses into different emissions categories. We need to know <em><strong>what</strong></em> you bought in order to properly categorize it.</td></tr><tr><td>Date</td><td>We need to know <em><strong>when</strong></em> you made the purchase to accurately report on your footprint.</td></tr><tr><td>Amount ($)</td><td>We need to know <em><strong>how much</strong></em> the purchase was for so that we can figure out how much carbon dioxide resulted from the purchased good.</td></tr><tr><td>Currency (USD)</td><td>We calculate emissions from transactions in USD. We'll convert foreign currency transactions into USD.</td></tr><tr><td>Vendor</td><td>If the transaction is associated with a vendor, we need to know <em><strong>who</strong></em> you made the purchase from. This helps us identify opportunities for working with less carbon intensive vendors.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Vendors

<table><thead><tr><th width="230">Vendor Data</th><th>Reason</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>If the vendor reports to CDP or other public databases, we'll reference any reports that are available. Plus, the vendor's name helps you recognize the vendor in the GreenPlaces platform.</td></tr><tr><td>Address</td><td>Knowing vendor addresses helps us estimate distribution distances and use the right method for calculating emissions.</td></tr><tr><td>Point of Contact</td><td>We'll import the point of contact for the vendor to help when you need to send a questionnaire to the vendor through the GreenPlaces platform. (Note: this feature may not be available for all users yet.)</td></tr><tr><td>Website</td><td>Sometimes we may need to do additional research on vendors to correctly calculate emissions. Knowing the vendor's website helps us do that.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## How to Connect your accounting platform to GreenPlaces

{% hint style="info" %}
The steps below should be completed by an accounting administrator or someone who has administrator access to your accounting platform.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Not an accounting admin? Invite them to join GreenPlaces</summary>

Inviting your accounting admin to collaborate with you in GreenPlaces is an easy process. Simply send them an invitation through the "Members" tab in GreenPlaces.&#x20;

For more information on inviting your teammates to GreenPlaces, [click here](broken-reference).

</details>

### Step 1: Navigate to the "Integrations" tab

The "Integrations" tab is on the left side of the dashboard under the "Settings" menu. You can also navigate to the "Integrations" page by [clicking here.](https://app.greenplaces.com/providers)

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FcJ36ymkZjLAtZz9fEccj%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%2011.58.22%20AM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a3fa7e25-81e9-4dc8-b193-05ba021fff8c" alt=""><figcaption><p>The integrations tab is on the left side of the dashboard.</p></figcaption></figure>

Next, navigate to the "Procurement" tab on the integrations page.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2Fy0NIa0tGzInIM6IMmheX%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%201.02.49%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=be8f2d0d-17ec-43c8-9682-18d6c95978bf" alt=""><figcaption><p>GreenPlaces connects with a variety of accounting providers.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Select the accounting platform your team uses

After selecting the accounting platform that your team uses, **click "Connect Provider" to continue.**

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2F67G46SVJtENuEIuemREo%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%201.03.05%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e532495f-7d52-428a-aec6-4efba098e4c2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click "Connect Provider" to continue.</p></figcaption></figure>

A window will pop up showing the available accounting integrations. Select your accounting platform and **click "Continue"**.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FNiklZz0mrSQvXOvouMs8%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%201.03.21%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=396237c9-691d-4f81-8e5b-c15a77546ea8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click "Continue"</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 3: Sign in with your accounting platform account

A window will pop up prompting you to sign in with your accounting platform account. Sign in using the method that you always use to sign in to your accounting platform.&#x20;

At this stage, you may be prompted to select your company if you have multiple companies under the same accounting platform.

<figure><img src="https://2570820010-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FTiJi8l8l6l0IUqZbb2SJ%2Fuploads%2FJikpjgpw5m5mmfFVyW0b%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-11-16%20at%201.04.51%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e4d205dd-c472-46e9-9872-7beff1141dd9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Sign in using your accounting platform account. Quickbooks Online is used in this example.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Step 4: GreenPlaces takes care of the rest

GreenPlaces will synchronize with your accounting platform every 24 hours. You can view the status of your integration at any time under the "Integrations" tab, as well as see the last time the GreenPlaces synced with your platform.

You can disconnect your accounting platform at any time. Just let your account manager know.

## Available Accounting Integrations

Click below to view a list all supported Accounting integrations in the GreenPlaces platform.

{% content-ref url="../overview/available-integrations/accounting" %}
[accounting](../overview/available-integrations/accounting)
{% endcontent-ref %}
