Accounting Integrations for E-commerce: The Complete Guide to Twinfield, Exact Online & AFAS

Why an accounting integration is essential

An accounting integration connects your webshop or marketplace with your accounting software. Instead of manually typing invoices, sales are automatically created as journal entries. This not only saves time but also prevents errors.

Benefits of an accounting integration:

• Time savings: No more manual entry of orders and invoices
• Error reduction: Automatic VAT calculation and assignment
• Real-time insight: Always up-to-date financial data
• Compliance: Correct VAT returns without manual work
• Scalability: Grow without additional administrative burden

Popular accounting packages in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, several accounting packages are popular among e-commerce entrepreneurs. Each has its own strengths:

Twinfield (Wolters Kluwer)
Twinfield is one of the most widely used cloud accounting packages in the Netherlands. It offers extensive reporting and is popular with accounting firms. Hourly rate integration via API possible.

Exact Online
Exact Online is an all-in-one solution for SMB companies. It combines accounting with CRM, project management, and more. Strong API for integrations.

AFAS Software
AFAS is a complete ERP solution that goes beyond just accounting. Ideal for larger companies that want to integrate HR, CRM, and finance.

Other options:

• Snelstart: Affordable option for starters and freelancers
• e-Boekhouden: Simple and user-friendly for small webshops
• Moneybird: Modern interface, popular with freelancers
• Yuki: Automated scan-and-recognize technology

Connecting Twinfield to your webshop

Twinfield is a powerful accounting package used by many e-commerce entrepreneurs. Here's how to connect Twinfield to your sales channels:

Twinfield + WooCommerce
There are several ways to connect Twinfield to WooCommerce:
• Via a WordPress plugin (limited functionality)
• Via middleware like Winkel Factuur (recommended)
• Via custom API integration (expensive, complex)

Twinfield + Shopify
Shopify has no native Twinfield integration. You need middleware:
• Winkel Factuur automatically syncs all Shopify orders
• Invoices are directly created as draft journal entries
• VAT is automatically correctly assigned

Twinfield + bol.com
bol.com orders require special attention due to the VAT obligation:
• Every order must receive an invoice
• Belgian VAT must be processed separately
• Winkel Factuur handles this completely automatically

What gets synchronized?

• Sales invoices with correct VAT codes
• Customer data (debtors)
• Payment statuses
• Credit notes for returns

Exact Online integration

Exact Online is popular due to its broad functionality. Here's how to connect it to e-commerce platforms:

Exact Online + WooCommerce
WooCommerce can be connected to Exact Online in several ways:
• Native plugins (basic synchronization)
• Via Winkel Factuur (full automation)
• Custom development via Exact API

Exact Online + Shopify
For Shopify users, the options are:
• Manual export/import (not recommended)
• Middleware solutions like Winkel Factuur
• Zapier or Make integrations (limited)

Exact Online + Marketplaces
For bol.com and Amazon sellers:
• Winkel Factuur synchronizes all marketplace orders
• Automatic VAT split (NL/BE/DE)
• Commissions and fees booked separately

AFAS integration for e-commerce

AFAS is a complete ERP solution often used by medium to large e-commerce businesses.

Why AFAS for e-commerce?

• Integrated inventory module
• Extensive reports and BI
• Connection with logistics systems
• Multi-company support

AFAS + E-commerce platforms
AFAS offers a REST API for integrations. The most common setups:
• Direct via AFAS GetConnectors (technically complex)
• Via middleware like Winkel Factuur (user-friendly)
• Custom integration by AFAS partner

What to synchronize with AFAS?

• Sales orders and invoices
• Product master data
• Inventory mutations
• Customer and supplier data
• Financial journal entries

Note about AFAS:
AFAS implementations are often custom. Ensure you have a good partner with experience in e-commerce integrations.

Accounting integration per platform

Below is an overview of the best accounting integrations per e-commerce platform:

WooCommerce accounting integrations
WooCommerce has the most options thanks to its open-source nature:
• Twinfield: Via plugin or Winkel Factuur
• Exact Online: Via Woo2Exact or Winkel Factuur
• Moneybird: Native plugin available
• Snelstart: Via Winkel Factuur

Shopify accounting integrations
Shopify usually requires middleware:
• All accounting packages: Via Winkel Factuur
• Moneybird: Via Shopify Flow (limited)
• Xero: Native app available

bol.com accounting integrations
bol.com has no direct accounting integrations:
• All packages: Via Winkel Factuur (recommended)
• Note: Invoice obligation for every order!

Amazon accounting integrations
Amazon FBA and FBM orders:
• Via Winkel Factuur to any accounting package
• Automatic VAT determination per country
• FBA fees booked separately

VAT challenges with accounting integrations

One of the biggest challenges in e-commerce accounting is correct VAT processing. This is where many integrations fail.

VAT complexity in e-commerce:

• Different VAT rates: 21%, 9%, 0% - automatic assignment needed
• Foreign VAT: Belgian VAT (21%, 6%), German VAT (19%, 7%)
• OSS scheme: Track revenue threshold per country
• B2B vs B2C: Different rules for business customers

How Winkel Factuur handles VAT:

• Automatic VAT detection based on customer location
• Correct VAT codes per accounting package
• Belgian VAT booked separately
• Ready-made OSS reports
• Intra-community deliveries correctly processed

Common VAT mistakes:

• Booking all orders at 21% (incorrect for foreign customers)
• Forgetting to remit Belgian VAT
• Charging VAT to business customers with VAT number
• Exceeding OSS threshold without registration

Step-by-step: Setting up an accounting integration

Follow this step-by-step plan to successfully set up your accounting integration:

Step 1: Inventory your situation
• Which sales channels do you use? (Shopify, WooCommerce, bol.com, Amazon)
• Which accounting package do you have?
• How many orders do you process per month?
• Do you sell internationally?

Step 2: Choose your middleware
• Do you have multiple channels? Choose a central solution
• Winkel Factuur supports all major platforms and accounting packages

Step 3: Prepare your accounting
• Create the correct ledger accounts
• Set up VAT codes
• Configure debtor administration

Step 4: Connect your accounts
• Connect your webshop/marketplace to Winkel Factuur
• Connect Winkel Factuur to your accounting package
• Configure the mapping of accounts and VAT codes

Step 5: Test the integration
• Synchronize a few test orders
• Check if VAT is correctly assigned
• Verify that journal entries are correct in your accounting package

Step 6: Go live
• Activate automatic synchronization
• Monitor extra closely the first few days
• Coordinate with your bookkeeper/accountant

Costs of accounting integrations

What does an accounting integration cost? Here's an overview:

Option 1: Manual (free but expensive)
• No direct costs
• But: 5-10 hours per week of manual work
• Risk of errors and additional assessments

Option 2: Separate plugins (€10-50/month)
• A separate plugin per platform
• Limited functionality
• No central solution

Option 3: Middleware like Winkel Factuur (from €9/month)
• All platforms in one dashboard
• Full VAT automation
• Including invoicing for bol.com/Amazon
• Direct sync with accounting package

Option 4: Custom integration (€5,000-20,000)
• Fully customized
• High initial investment
• Maintenance costs

ROI of accounting integrations:
With 100 orders per month, you easily save 10+ hours per month. At an hourly rate of €50, that's €500 savings. A middleware solution therefore pays for itself quickly.

Frequently asked questions about accounting integrations

Can I connect multiple webshops to one accounting package?
Yes, with Winkel Factuur you can connect multiple Shopify shops, WooCommerce sites, and marketplaces to one accounting package. Each store gets its own administration.

What if I switch accounting packages?
When switching, you only need to set up the new integration. Historical data remains in your old package. Winkel Factuur supports most Dutch accounting packages.

Are credit notes also synchronized?
Yes, for returns and cancellations, Winkel Factuur automatically creates credit notes that are also sent to your accounting system.

What about bol.com commissions?
bol.com commissions and fees can be booked separately on a cost account. This keeps your gross and net revenue separated.

Is the integration real-time?
Winkel Factuur synchronizes multiple times per day. For most businesses, this is sufficient. Real-time sync is possible for enterprise customers.

Conclusion: Which accounting integration fits you?

The best accounting integration depends on your situation:

For starters with one webshop:
• Use a direct plugin if you only have WooCommerce
• Choose Moneybird or e-Boekhouden for simplicity

For growing webshops:
• Middleware like Winkel Factuur for scalability
• Twinfield or Exact Online for professional reporting

For multi-channel sellers:
• Winkel Factuur is essential for central administration
• Especially for bol.com and Amazon due to invoice obligations

For large e-commerce businesses:
• AFAS or SAP for complete ERP integration
• Custom integrations via APIs

Regardless of your choice: automate your accounting as early as possible. It not only saves time but also prevents costly errors in VAT returns.