Configuring Automated Categorization

Overview

Automated categorization uses AI to learn from your existing accounting setup and create reusable mapping rules for new transactions. These rules can fill supported fields in your connected accounting software—such as account, vendor, class, customer, department, location, or project—before you review and sync the transaction.

How automated categorization works

When automated categorization is enabled, Slash periodically reviews newly settled transactions and refunds. It compares them with your prior coding, existing mappings, and the accounting records available through your connection. When there is enough evidence, Slash creates a mapping that can code the current editable transaction and matching transactions in the future.

Slash favors reusable rules, such as a merchant or merchant-category rule. It can also use a specific transaction, card, card group, or subaccount when appropriate. If Slash is not confident, it does not create a mapping.

Before you begin

• Connect supported accounting software to Slash. The Intelligence tab is available only when you have an active accounting connection.
• Make sure you have permission to modify accounting settings. Team members with view-only accounting access can see the settings but cannot save changes.
• Review your chart of accounts and other accounting data in Slash. Automated categorization selects from existing records in your connected accounting software; it does not create new accounts, vendors, or other records.

How to configure automated categorization

1. From the Slash dashboard, select Accounting.
2. Select Settings in the upper-right corner.
3. Select the Intelligence tab.
4. Under Should AI code transactions?, choose one of the following options:
   • All fields: AI can create mappings for every supported accounting field available through your connection.
   • Code selected fields only: Choose the individual fields AI is allowed to fill. Turn each field on or off in the field list. You must select at least one field.
   • Disabled: Stop AI from creating new mappings. Existing mappings and manual coding remain unchanged.

When you're finished configuring your settings, select Save changes.

Which fields can AI code?

Depending on your accounting platform and its available data, fields can include account, vendor, class, customer, department, location, and project. The Intelligence page shows only fields supported by your active connection. Custom fields and dimensions may still be configured with manual mapping rules even when they are not available for AI coding.

Reviewing and managing AI-generated mappings

AI-generated mappings appear alongside the mappings your team creates. A sparkle labeled Generated by AI identifies them.Review the filled fields on transactions before syncing them.

To inspect or change a rule, open the mapped field from the Accounting table or go to Accounting > Settings > Mapping Settings. You can change the selected value, turn individual conditions on or off, or remove the mapping.

When you manually create or edit a mapping from a transaction, you can choose Apply to current transactions. This updates matching transactions that are still In review; already synced transactions are not changed.

Additional information

When do changes take effect?

Enabling automated categorization starts with transactions that arrive after you save the setting. Slash does not use the feature to reprocess your full transaction history.Because analysis runs periodically and accounting data can take time to sync, a new transaction may not be categorized immediately.

Automated categorization vs. mapping rules

Both features ultimately use accounting mappings. The difference is who creates the rule: in Mapping Settings, your team explicitly chooses a source and destination; with automated categorization, AI studies new transactions and prior coding, then creates a high-confidence rule for an enabled field. Manually created mappings continue to work whether automated categorization is enabled or disabled.

Tips for accurate results

• Start with Code selected fields only if you want to test the feature on a small set of fields.
• Keep the accounts, vendors, and other records in your accounting software current, then refresh or re-sync accounting data in Slash when needed.
• Correct a transaction or mapping when the coding does not match your accounting policy. Accurate prior coding helps Slash identify stronger patterns.
• Always review categorized transactions before syncing them to your accounting software.