Types of account mappings

If you've integrated accounting software with Gusto, here are different ways you can map your charts of accounts.

View your chart of account mappings

  1. Sign in to your Gusto admin account.
  2. Go to the App directory.
  3. Choose your accounting integration.
  4. Select the Mapping tab. 

On top of the mappings you're editing, you'll see a toggle labeled "Display all accounts." This is enabled by default, meaning you can choose from all active accounts in your accounting software when mapping. If you're not sure which accounts to map to, toggle to show the suggested account types that are most commonly used for each category.

Edit your chart of account mappings

  1. For each Gusto payroll category, you'll select an account from your bookkeeping software that it corresponds to. 
  2. Your progress is automatically saved as you go. A few tools you can use to map accounts more quickly:
    • Map multiple items to the same account at once: check the box next to each item you want to map. Click Actions and choose Edit account type. Type the account name to select it. Click Submit.
    • Show only unmapped categories: Next to “Actions,” click the filter icon. Choose Display unmapped accounts only, then click Apply.
    • Clear your selections: Uncheck the box next to an item, or click Clear all. 

For more mapping information, check out your app's Help Center article. 

Types of account mappings

Gusto category group

Definition 

Typically mapped to

Bank Account

 Bank transactions (not applicable for Xero or Freshbooks).

Bank Account

Clearing Account

 Only works with Xero Journal syncs. Used to reconcile bank transactions and temporarily track payables for uncleared payments.

Other Current Liabilities

Wages and Salaries

 Total amount of net pay and employee taxes by earning type. 

Expense Account

Employer Taxes

Total amount of employer taxes. 

Expense Account

Benefit Expenses

 Total employer contribution for a benefit.

Expense Account

Benefits

Benefit Expenses

 Total employer contribution for a benefit.

Expense Account

Benefit Liabilities

 Total employer and employee contribution for a benefit. This is the amount owed for a benefit on a payroll. These amounts are left in your company's bank account for you to pay outside of Gusto.

Liability Account

Deductions and Garnishments

Garnishments and other post-tax deduction amounts withheld from employee pay.

Liability Account

Reimbursements

Total reimbursements for all employees.

Expense Account

Tax adjustments

Taxes Receivable

Taxes owed back to the company from one or more agencies. This happens if an agency recognizes an overpayment and refunds the company directly. This is typically a result of tax corrections that lowered the company's liability after taxes have already been paid.

Asset Account

Taxes Payable

Taxes owed to agencies that Gusto does not (or cannot) pay. This occurs when we record a tax liability but do not debit for it or pay the agency (e.g. NY SDI).

Liability Account

Social Security Credit (COVID-19 Relief)

Credits associated with Emergency Leave Wages (no longer in effect). Click here for more info on tax credit mapping.

Asset Account

Note: Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable account types are not supported at this time because these require a Contact to be used with the Account. Asset and Liability accounts are supported without a Contact.