Summary

A general ledger ("GL") is a fundamental component of a double-entry bookkeeping system and a core accounting document. As an entity's primary accounting record, it summarizes all financial transactions in an organized and systematic way.

When you import a GL into MindBridge, it analyzes 100% of the financial data to detect risk and anomalies.

Learn how to import a GL into MindBridge below:

1. Select files to import for analysis
2. Validate the data
3. Map your columns to MindBridge columns
4. Verify the analysis period
5. Review the data
6. Adjust the settings and finalize the import
   
   

Configuration details

You must create an analysis before you can import a GL file into MindBridge.

Go to the Data page

1. Select the logo in the MindBridge sidebar.
   You will go to the Organizations page.
2. Select View in line with the desired organization, or click anywhere in the organization row.
   You will go to the Engagements page.
3. Select View in line with the desired engagement, or click anywhere in the engagement row.
   You will go to the Data page for that particular engagement.

Select files to import

MindBridge supports several ways to select and import files.

Drag and drop

1. From the Data page, drag and drop the file into the appropriate period of the General ledger row.
2. Once the file has loaded, select Continue import.
   You will go to the first step in the import process.

Browse your computer

1. From the Data page, select Browse... in the appropriate period of the General ledger row.
2. Select Browse your computer from the menu.
3. Select the file you wish to use and Open it.
   The file imports into your analysis.
4. Once the file has loaded, select Continue import.
   You will go to the first step in the import process.
   

Browse file manager

1. From the Data page, select Browse... in the appropriate period of the General ledger row.
2. Select Browse file manager from the menu.
   A pop-up window appears.
3. Select the file you wish to use.
4. When you are satisfied, Import the file.
   The file imports into your analysis.
5. Once the file has loaded, select Continue import.
   You will go to the first step in the import process.

Import using a data connector

Data connectors allow you to import all available data needed for analysis at once. On the Data page, you can invite a client to connect or connect yourself to a data connector.

Once the file has loaded, select Continue import. You will go to the first step in the import process.

Refer to our article on Bulk importing using a connector.

Validate the data

Once you select Continue import, you can validate the data by reviewing the file details, integrity checks, and column preview. This information is available to help you determine whether the data has issues, or if you can proceed with it as it is.

If the data appears in a grouped format, MindBridge will not be able to analyze it. Select Format data to automatically format the data into an ungrouped format, then proceed with the import process. 

Note: If the file contains multiple sheets, MindBridge will only analyze data on the first sheet in the file. If needed, you can use the split and merge tools in the File Manager ( ) to extract and combine select sheets from the original file.

File details

These high-level file details can help you be sure that the imported data meets your expectations at a glance.

Integrity checks

These checks include detailed information on every column within the data. They may indicate issues with the file, but most will not prevent you from continuing the import process.*

Learn about integrity checks

Column preview

These statistics can help verify your expectations, and may assist you in finding anomalous data right away.

Use the chevron icon ( ) to expand the section and see a preview of your columns.

Learn about previewing your columns

When you are satisfied that the data is correct, select Next to continue the import process.

To exit the import process, Close the page. MindBridge will save your progress.

Map columns

Once you are satisfied with the data's integrity, you can map your existing column headers to MindBridge's columns. Mapping columns allows MindBridge to read, understand, and apply analytics to your data.

1. Drag and drop a field from Your Data Column Headers to the appropriate field beneath Mapped Columns.
2. If your data columns do not line up one-to-one with the MindBridge columns, use the more actions menu ( ) to split, join, or duplicate columns to make the needed adjustments, or add a column for filtering.
3. When you are satisfied, select Next to proceed.

To return to the previous page, select Back.

To exit the import process, select Close. You will go back to the Data page and MindBridge will save your progress.

Verify the analysis period

The Analysis Period step allows you to verify the accuracy of your data by providing a snapshot of where it falls within the defined analysis period.

Review analysis period settings

Review the following items for accuracy. 

The left-side section provides:

• The defined analysis period date range with the option to adjust it by selecting Edit
• The entries that fall within the period
• The entries that fall outside of the period
• The total debit value of entries within the period
• The total credit value of entries within the period

The central graph displays the number of entries within and outside of the analysis period, with the option to view by day, week, or month.

The right-side section provides integrity checks related to the analysis period, including:

• If the ledger contains any out-of-period entries
• If there is a gap between any periods
• If any periods overlap

When you are satisfied, select Next to proceed to the Review Data step.

To return to the previous page, select Back.

To exit the import process, select Close. You will go back to the Data page and MindBridge will save your progress.

Review the data

The Review Data step allows you to verify the accuracy of the imported data.

1. Select your transaction ID, and if needed, run the Smart Splitter.
2. Review the snapshot of your data.
3. Review the graph, which shows the number of transactions in your ledger on the y-axis, and the number of entries in each transaction on the x-axis.
4. Review the integrity checklist below the chart.
   Warning icons indicates an item that might be worth investigating. These checks do not affect your ability to run the analysis.
5. When you are satisfied, select Next to proceed to the Adjust Settings step.

To return to the previous page, select Back.

To exit the import process, select Close. You will go back to the Data page and MindBridge will save your progress.

Adjust the settings

Some control points can be adjusted, while others require your input.

The Adjust Settings step allows you to make adjustments to the following control points:

• Material Value 
  • Note: Adding a material value on this page does not enable the control point. This control point must be enabled through the engagement settings by increasing its weight from 0. 
  • The value entered for this control point is not related to the value entered for Materiality filters used during account scoping.
• Manual Entry 
  • This control point searches the Type and/or Source columns (if mapped) for the indicated keywords. You can add and remove keywords as needed.
• Suspicious Keyword
  • This control point searches the Memo column (if mapped) for the indicated keywords. You can add and remove keywords as needed.

When you are satisfied with the settings for these control points, select Finish Import.

You will go back to the Data page, where you must verify the accounts before running the analysis.

To return to the previous page, select Back.

To exit the import process, select Close. You will go back to the Data page and MindBridge will save your progress.

Delete a general ledger

Permanently remove a file from the analysis.

1. Open the more actions menu ( ) in line with the desired file.
2. Select Delete file.
   MindBridge will confirm that you want to remove the file from the analysis.
3. When you are ready, Delete the file.

Anything else on your mind? Chat with us or submit a request for further assistance.

Related articles

• Understand transaction IDs and data integrity
• Import opening and closing balances