At Auguria, we support every accounting style, from the most traditional to the most tech-savvy. A special thought for the keyboard masters, those who confidently state:
“I prefer to enter everything by hand. That way, I'm in control.”
We respect that approach. But do you really have to choose between control and efficiency? Today there are paths to control that no longer rely on manual repetition.
Here is an overview of the three main methods for importing payroll journal entries into Odoo without giving up either rigor or your time.
1. The enriched CSV import: rigor and flexibility
The good old Excel spreadsheet, well structured, remains a formidable tool. Odoo allows you to import accounting entries from CSV files. And contrary to some preconceptions, this method is far from amateurish.
How it works:
- Some payroll software exports entries directly in the right format.
- Otherwise, a well-designed Excel template can generate a usable file.
You can include:
- General ledger accounts (classes 6, 4, 7, etc.)
- Broken-down amounts
- Analytic dimensions such as cost centers, projects or customers
Bonus: some exports go as far as linking each line to an employee through auxiliary fields (partner account, employee name, etc.). This is particularly useful for consulting firms or finance departments that care about detail.
Advantages:
- Quick to set up
- Very accurate once the template is mastered
- Fully customizable
Drawback:
- Requires rigor when building the file, but it is an investment that quickly pays off
2. The FEC import: standardized and tax-compliant
The Fichier des Écritures Comptables (FEC), generated for tax purposes, can be used to bring payroll journal entries into Odoo, notably by extracting the relevant journals.
How it works:
- The FEC contains the accounting entries resulting from payroll
- It is already structured and readable by tax tools
- A script can be developed to adapt it to the Odoo format
Limitations:
- The FEC does not contain analytic data
- This file is geared toward tax compliance, not management
Advantages:
- Standardized and already generated for the tax return
- Single source of truth for accounting
Drawback:
- Requires specific processing before import
- Does not allow detailed analysis or analytic breakdown
3. Automation via API or SFTP: absolute fluidity
For more advanced environments, automation eliminates manual imports while bringing journal entries into Odoo completely seamlessly.
Two approaches are possible:
- The payroll software automatically sends the entries to Odoo via API or SFTP
- Odoo queries the payroll software at regular intervals (often monthly)
Analytics is also possible if the right identifiers (projects, cost centers, etc.) are passed in the feeds. This requires rigorous mapping and well-built payroll exports.
Advantages:
- No clicks required
- No errors from forgetting or carrying over entries
- Accounting always up to date
Drawback:
- An initial technical integration phase is essential
- Dependence on the right payroll export format
Conclusion: between tradition and modernity, a smart trade-off
Typing by hand is not heresy. It is often a guarantee of control, of professional conscientiousness, even a form of art. But it would be a shame not to consider what automation makes possible today: saving time, making data more reliable, and freeing up energy for analysis and management.
At Auguria, we believe a good solution never sacrifices control, it strengthens it. That is why we support our clients in every form of accounting integration: from the most manual to the most connected.
Would you like to explore one of these options for your company? Let's talk.