Skip to content

Finance QB Integration Overview

Dr M H B Ariyaratne edited this page May 22, 2026 · 1 revision

QuickBooks and ERP Integration Overview

Introduction

HMIS integrates with QuickBooks (and compatible accounting systems) through two complementary mechanisms:

  1. IIF File Export — generates QuickBooks IIF-format files that can be imported manually into QuickBooks Desktop. Used for daily revenue journals, pharmacy GRN journals, and item list synchronisation.

  2. REST API Integration — a live HTTP API that external accounting systems (QuickBooks Online, other ERP platforms) can call to pull financial data programmatically. Eliminates manual file export/import.

Both mechanisms export the same underlying financial data — the difference is in how the data moves: manual file import versus automated API pull.

When to Use Each Integration Method

Method Best For
IIF Export QuickBooks Desktop, periodic batch import (daily/weekly)
REST API QuickBooks Online, ERP systems with API capability, automated pipelines

Financial Data Available for Integration

Data Category Available via IIF Available via REST API
Daily revenue journal Yes Yes
OPD billing summary Yes Yes
Inpatient billing journal Yes Yes
Pharmacy GRN (stock purchases) Yes Yes
Item / service list Yes Yes
Doctor/professional payments Yes Yes
Credit company receivables Partial Yes

Key Concepts

IIF Format

The IIF (Intuit Interchange Format) is a tab-delimited text format that QuickBooks Desktop uses for bulk imports. Each row in an IIF file has a row type:

Row Type Meaning
TRNS Transaction header (date, total, document number)
SPL Split line (individual account entry)
ENDTRNS End of transaction marker

Each row includes accounting codes (accnt), transaction type (trnsType), amounts, QuickBooks class (qbClass), and up to 6 custom fields (custFld1custFld6).

REST API Authentication

The REST API uses the Finance header with an API key issued via the HMIS API key management console. All API calls require a valid, unexpired, active API key.

Navigation to Integration Functions

IIF Exports

Main Menu → Financial Reports → QuickBooks Export OR Main Menu → Finance → ERP Export

REST API

Endpoint base: /api/qb Documentation: reports/financialReports/qb_*.xhtml

Cross-Checking Financial Data

All financial data exported through QB integration can be cross-checked against:

  • Cashier Summary Reports — payment method totals
  • Department Income Reports — service revenue by department
  • Stock Valuation Reports — inventory cost movement (for pharmacy GRN)

This triangulation ensures that accounting entries match operational records.

Technical Reference

Item Detail
IIF controller QuickBookReportController
REST API @Path("qb") in REST layer
IIF entity QuickBookFormat (rowType, trnsType, date, accnt, name, amount, docNum, qbClass, custFld1-6)
Authentication Finance header → ApiKeyController.findApiKey()
Related articles QB Daily Return Import, QB Pharmacy GRN Export, QB REST API, QB Item List Export

Clone this wiki locally