AutoEntry vs Zera Books for Multi-Account Statements
AutoEntry's project-based workflow and per-page pricing adds friction to multi-account processing. Discover how Zera Books auto-detects and separates accounts in a single upload with unlimited conversions.
TL;DR
- AutoEntry requires manual account separation when processing multi-account statements, consuming 3 credits per page across each account.
- Zera Books auto-detects and separates all accounts in one upload, delivering Excel with separate tabs for checking, savings, and credit cards.
- Unlimited processing at $79/month eliminates credit consumption anxiety and scales cost-effectively for firms processing 20+ multi-account clients monthly.
What is AutoEntry's Multi-Account Processing?
AutoEntry is a document processing platform owned by Sage that extracts data from bank statements, invoices, and receipts. For bank statement processing, AutoEntry uses a credit-based pricing model where each page costs 3 credits to process.
When handling multi-account bank statements (checking + savings + credit card in one PDF), AutoEntry's approach requires manual intervention. The platform processes statements through a project-based inbox system, but it doesn't automatically detect or separate multiple accounts within a single statement document.
AutoEntry offers an AccountsPrep feature that supports transfers between multiple bank and credit card accounts, but this is designed for reconciliation after extraction—not for automatic account detection during initial processing. Users must still manually organize and separate account data from multi-account PDFs.
AutoEntry's Multi-Account Workflow
- 1.Upload bank statement PDF to AutoEntry project
- 2.AutoEntry processes entire PDF at 3 credits per page
- 3.Manual review to identify where each account starts/ends
- 4.Manually separate transactions for each account
- 5.Download and organize files by account type
For accounting firms processing multi-account statements for 20+ clients monthly, this manual separation adds 15-30 minutes per client—accumulating to hours of administrative work each month. Learn more about AutoEntry's multi-account workflow limitations.
AutoEntry's Multi-Account Limitations
No Automatic Account Detection
AutoEntry processes the entire PDF as one document without recognizing that multiple accounts exist. You must manually identify where Account A ends and Account B begins, then separate transactions yourself.
Credit Consumption Per Page
Multi-account statements are typically 4-8 pages. At 3 credits per page, a 6-page statement costs 18 credits to process—even though you'll need to manually split the accounts afterward. For firms processing 50+ multi-account statements monthly, this adds up quickly.
Project Management Overhead
AutoEntry's project-based inbox system requires organizing statements by client. When clients have multiple accounts, you need to track which project contains which account data, adding administrative complexity to your workflow.
Manual Transaction Separation
After extraction, you must manually copy-paste transactions into separate spreadsheets for each account. With 50-100+ transactions per account, this process is tedious and error-prone (easy to miss a transaction or duplicate entries).
Price Increase September 2025
AutoEntry raised prices in September 2025, making the credit-based model more expensive for high-volume processing. For firms already struggling with multi-account workflows, the cost increase compounds the friction. Explore AutoEntry's credit-based pricing limitations.
How Zera Books Handles Multi-Account Statements
Zera Books takes a fundamentally different approach to multi-account processing. Instead of treating the PDF as one monolithic document, Zera AI automatically detects and separates each account during the extraction process.
Zera Books Multi-Account Workflow
- 1.Upload multi-account bank statement PDF (one file)
- 2.Zera AI detects all accounts automatically (checking, savings, credit card)
- 3.Download Excel file with separate tabs for each account
- 4.Import each tab directly to QuickBooks/Xero (pre-formatted)
What used to take 30-45 minutes now takes 2-3 minutes.
Multi-Account Auto-Detection Technology
Zera AI is trained on 2.8+ million real bank statements and 847+ million transactions. This training enables the AI to recognize account boundaries within multi-account PDFs by identifying:
- Account numbers and account type labels (checking, savings, credit)
- Beginning and ending balance sections for each account
- Transaction date ranges that indicate account separation
- Visual formatting cues (page breaks, headers, summary tables)
The result: 99.6% field-level extraction accuracy with automatic account separation. Each Excel tab contains the correct transactions for its account, with proper formatting for direct import to your accounting software. Learn more about Zera Books' multi-account detection technology.
Client Management Dashboard
Unlike AutoEntry's project-based system, Zera Books provides a dedicated client management dashboard where you can:
- Organize all conversions by client name
- Access conversion history instantly for month-over-month comparisons
- See all accounts detected for each client's statement
- Track which statements have been processed and imported
For bookkeeping firms managing 20+ clients with multi-account statements, this dashboard eliminates the organizational overhead of AutoEntry's project system. Discover how Zera Books streamlines client bookkeeping workflows.
AutoEntry vs Zera Books: Multi-Account Processing Comparison
| Feature | AutoEntry | Zera Books |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Account Detection | Manual separation required | Automatic detection with Zera AI |
| Output Format | Single CSV with all accounts mixed | Excel with separate tabs per account |
| Pricing Model | 3 credits per page (£12-£400/month tiers) | $79/month unlimited conversions |
| Processing Time (6-page multi-account PDF) | 15-30 minutes (including manual separation) | 2-3 minutes (fully automated) |
| Account Types Supported | All accounts (manual handling) | Checking, savings, credit cards (auto-detected) |
| Client Management | Project-based inbox system | Dedicated client dashboard with conversion history |
| QuickBooks/Xero Integration | Direct integration | Pre-formatted for direct import + AI categorization |
| AI Transaction Categorization | Not included | Included (maps to QB/Xero chart of accounts) |
| Batch Processing | Yes | Upload 50+ statements at once |
| Template Training Required | No | No (dynamically processes any format) |
| Scanned PDF Support | Yes | Yes (Zera OCR with 95%+ accuracy) |
Pricing Comparison for Multi-Account Processing
The cost difference between AutoEntry and Zera Books becomes significant when processing multi-account statements at scale. Let's break down the real-world costs for accounting firms.
AutoEntry Credit Consumption
AutoEntry charges 3 credits per page for bank statement processing. A typical multi-account statement (checking + savings + credit card) runs 4-8 pages.
Example: Processing 20 Multi-Account Clients Monthly
- • Average statement length: 6 pages
- • Credits per statement: 6 pages × 3 credits = 18 credits
- • Monthly credit consumption: 20 clients × 18 credits = 360 credits
- • AutoEntry tier required: £150-£200/month (varies by plan after September 2025 price increase)
Plus 15-30 minutes of manual account separation per statement = 5-10 hours monthly
Zera Books Unlimited Model
Zera Books charges $79/month for unlimited conversions. No matter how many multi-account statements you process, the cost remains fixed.
Same Example: 20 Multi-Account Clients Monthly
- • Monthly cost: $79 (fixed, regardless of volume)
- • Processing time per statement: 2-3 minutes (auto-detection)
- • Total time investment: ~1 hour monthly (vs 5-10 hours with AutoEntry)
- • Time savings: 4-9 hours monthly
ROI Calculation
For a bookkeeping firm billing at $75/hour, the time savings alone justify Zera Books:
- Time saved: 4-9 hours/month × $75/hour = $300-$675/month in recovered billable time
- Software cost difference: $79/month (Zera Books) vs £150-£200/month (~$190-$255) (AutoEntry)
- Net monthly benefit: $400-$750+ from time recovery + software savings
As your client base grows, Zera Books' unlimited model scales cost-effectively. Compare detailed AutoEntry vs Zera Books pricing scenarios.
Real-World Multi-Account Workflow Comparison
Let's walk through how each platform handles a common scenario: processing a 6-page bank statement with checking, savings, and credit card accounts for a small business client.
AutoEntry Workflow
Step 1: Upload (1 min)
Log into AutoEntry, navigate to client project, upload 6-page PDF
Step 2: Processing (2-3 min)
Wait for AutoEntry to extract data, consuming 18 credits (6 pages × 3)
Step 3: Review (3-5 min)
Open extracted data, review for accuracy, identify account boundaries
Step 4: Manual Separation (15-20 min)
Create three separate spreadsheets, copy-paste transactions for checking (pages 1-2), savings (pages 3-4), credit card (pages 5-6). Double-check no transactions missed or duplicated.
Step 5: Format & Import (5-8 min)
Format each spreadsheet for QuickBooks, import three separate files, verify imports
Total Time: 26-37 minutes
Cost: 18 credits (~$4-6 depending on plan)
Zera Books Workflow
Step 1: Upload (30 sec)
Log into Zera Books, select client, drag-and-drop 6-page PDF
Step 2: AI Processing (1 min)
Zera AI automatically detects all three accounts, extracts transactions, creates Excel with separate tabs
Step 3: Download & Review (1 min)
Download Excel file, quick review of each tab (checking, savings, credit card). All transactions properly separated and categorized.
Step 4: Import to QuickBooks (30 sec)
Import each Excel tab directly to QuickBooks (pre-formatted with AI categorization). Done.
Total Time: 3 minutes
Cost: $0 additional (included in $79/month unlimited)
Time Savings Impact
23-34 minutes saved per statement with Zera Books' automatic multi-account detection.
For firms processing 20+ multi-account clients monthly: 7.5-11 hours recovered—time that can be spent on advisory services, client acquisition, or simply closing books faster.
Key Benefits: Why Multi-Account Firms Choose Zera Books
Automatic Account Separation
Zera AI detects and separates checking, savings, and credit cards automatically. No manual splitting, no copy-paste errors, no missing transactions.
92% Time Reduction
What takes 30+ minutes with manual separation takes 3 minutes with Zera Books. Process more clients in less time.
Predictable Unlimited Pricing
$79/month flat rate with no per-page fees, no credit tracking, no usage anxiety. Scale your client base without scaling your software costs.
Excel with Organized Tabs
Download one Excel file with separate tabs for each account. Each tab is pre-formatted for direct import to QuickBooks or Xero.
AI Transaction Categorization
Every transaction automatically categorized for QuickBooks/Xero chart of accounts. Further reduces manual work after import. Learn more about AI categorization.
99.6% Extraction Accuracy
Trained on 2.8M+ bank statements and 847M+ transactions. Zera AI delivers field-level accuracy that matches or exceeds manual entry.
How to Process Multi-Account Statements with Zera Books
Switching from AutoEntry's manual workflow to Zera Books' automated multi-account processing is straightforward. Here's the complete process:
Sign Up for Zera Books Trial
Start with a 1-week trial to test multi-account processing with your real client statements. No credit card required upfront.
Start your trialAdd Your Clients
In the client management dashboard, add your clients by name. This creates organized folders where you can track all conversions for each client over time.
Upload Multi-Account Statements
Select a client, then drag-and-drop their bank statement PDF. Zera Books accepts digital PDFs, scanned PDFs, and multi-page documents. Upload one statement or batch process multiple clients simultaneously.
Zera AI Processes & Detects Accounts
Wait 1-2 minutes while Zera AI analyzes the PDF, identifies all accounts (checking, savings, credit cards), extracts transactions, and automatically categorizes them for your accounting software.
Download Excel with Separate Tabs
Download the Excel file. Open it to see separate tabs for each account detected. Each tab contains:
- • Transaction dates, descriptions, amounts (debit/credit)
- • Beginning and ending balances for the account
- • AI-suggested categories mapped to QuickBooks/Xero
- • Proper formatting for direct import
Review & Adjust Categories (Optional)
Quickly review AI-suggested categories. Most will be correct, but you can adjust any that need refinement. Zera AI learns from your edits for future statements.
Import to QuickBooks or Xero
Import each Excel tab directly to your accounting software:
- • QuickBooks Online: Use "Import Bank Transactions" feature
- • QuickBooks Desktop: Export as QBO/IIF from Zera Books
- • Xero: Import via bank statement import tool
- • Other software: Use CSV format (Sage, Wave, Zoho Books, etc.)
Reconcile & Close Books
With all accounts imported and categorized, proceed with reconciliation. The time you saved on statement processing can now be invested in reconciliation accuracy and client advisory work. Learn more about bank reconciliation automation.
Pro Tips for Multi-Account Processing
- Batch process at month-end: Upload statements for all clients at once. Zera Books processes them in parallel, saving even more time.
- Use client folders: Keep conversion history organized by client for easy access to prior months during reconciliation.
- Review account detection: First time processing a new client's bank? Quickly verify all accounts were detected. Zera AI improves with each bank format it sees.
- Leverage unlimited processing: Don't hesitate to re-run conversions if you need to adjust settings or catch an error. No additional cost.
When AutoEntry Makes Sense vs When You Need Zera Books
Both platforms serve document processing needs, but they're optimized for different workflows. Here's an honest assessment of when each tool makes sense:
Choose AutoEntry If:
- Receipt and invoice processing is your primary need. AutoEntry offers broader document type support beyond bank statements, including receipt scanning and invoice extraction.
- You process fewer than 10 single-account statements monthly. At low volumes, the credit-based model may be cost-effective, and manual workflows are manageable.
- You're already invested in Sage ecosystem. AutoEntry integrates directly with Sage products, which may provide workflow benefits if you're using other Sage tools.
- You don't mind manual account separation. If your team has bandwidth for 15-30 minutes of manual work per multi-account statement, AutoEntry's extraction quality is solid.
Choose Zera Books If:
- Multi-account statements are common in your client base. Automatic account detection saves 15-30 minutes per statement—time that compounds across 20+ clients monthly.
- You need unlimited processing without usage anxiety. $79/month flat rate eliminates credit tracking, budget concerns during tax season spikes, and cost-per-page calculations.
- Bank statement processing is your primary focus. Zera Books specializes in financial documents (bank statements, financial statements, invoices, checks) with purpose-built AI for accounting workflows.
- You want AI transaction categorization included. Every transaction auto-categorized for QuickBooks/Xero, reducing post-import cleanup time significantly.
- Your firm is growing and scaling client base. Unlimited processing scales with your growth without scaling software costs—critical for bookkeeping firms adding 5-10+ clients quarterly.
- You need organized client management. Dedicated dashboard for tracking conversions by client, accessing history, and maintaining audit trails for compliance.
The Real Decision Point
If multi-account bank statements represent 30%+ of your monthly processing volume, the time savings and unlimited pricing of Zera Books deliver measurable ROI. For accounting firms processing multi-account statements for 20+ clients, the platform pays for itself in recovered billable time within the first month. Explore more AutoEntry alternatives for multi-account processing.
Real Results: Multi-Account Processing at Scale
How Manning Elliott CPA firm saves 15 hours weekly processing multi-account statements with Zera Books
"Half my clients have business statements with checking and savings in one PDF. Before Zera Books, I was manually splitting each account into separate spreadsheets every month—easily 2-3 hours per client. Now I just upload the statement and download organized files. Zera AI detects all accounts automatically, and I get Excel with separate tabs for each one. It's saved me probably 15 hours a week."
Ashish Josan
Manager, CPA at Manning Elliott
The Challenge
Manning Elliott serves 20+ small business clients, and half of them have multi-account bank statements—checking and savings combined in one PDF, sometimes with a credit card account too. Every month-end, Ashish was manually splitting these accounts. For a statement with 3 accounts and 100+ transactions, this took 30-45 minutes per client. Multiply that by 10-15 clients monthly and he was losing entire days to account splitting alone.
The Solution
Zera Books changed everything. Now Ashish uploads the multi-account statement and Zera AI detects all accounts automatically. He gets Excel with separate tabs—one for checking, one for savings, one for credit card. Each tab has the right transactions, the right balances, everything organized. He reviews it quickly to make sure it looks right, then imports to QuickBooks. What used to take 30-45 minutes now takes 2-3 minutes.
Results
- Processes multi-account statements for 20+ small business clients
- Saved 15 hours weekly on account splitting across entire client base
- Zero copy-paste errors between accounts (used to happen frequently)
- Excel tabs match QuickBooks import format perfectly
- Can handle rush clients same-day instead of waiting for manual splitting
Stop Manually Splitting Multi-Account Statements
Join accounting firms processing 20+ multi-account clients monthly with Zera Books' automatic detection. Save 15+ hours per week with unlimited conversions at $79/month.
99.6%
Extraction accuracy across 2.8M+ statements
15+ hrs
Saved weekly processing 20 multi-account clients
$79/mo
Unlimited conversions with no per-page fees