SmartBank converts PDF bank statements to CSV in one import.
Take your cashbook processing to the next level.
Catch up your cashbooks by importing your bank statements. SmartBank automatically converts supported PDFs to CSV in seconds as you import. Export straight away—or allocate and reconcile first.
For accountants, bookkeepers and business owners catching up their books and working towards tax deadlines.
Unlimited imports · No per-statement conversion fee
Choose the right format for your accounting package.
Cashbook Manager
Real SmartBank screens
Your bank statement. Before, during and after.
Follow the nine-step journey with real SmartBank screens: retrieve your bank statement, prepare and reconcile the transactions, then save an export for your accounting package.
Skip the separate PDF conversion and column alignment.
Import a supported original bank-statement PDF directly into SmartBank. Already have bank-downloaded CSV, OFX or OFC files? Import those directly too.
→ BEFORE · 1 of 9
Open SmartBank and select your accounting package
Choose the accounting package or cashbook format you intend to use. This sets the starting point for preparing your bank transactions.
Enlarge screen ↗Open SmartBank & select package · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ BEFORE · 2 of 9
Open your company and bank account
Select the company you want to work on, then open its bank account. The transaction workspace is now ready for your bank-statement import.
Enlarge screen ↗Open the company · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ BEFORE · 3 of 9
Download the original statement from your bank
Retrieve your original bank-issued PDF statement from your bank’s website or app. You can also use bank-downloaded CSV, OFX or OFC files. For PDF import, use the original file: scans, photos and image-only PDFs are not supported.
Enlarge screen ↗Retrieve bank statement · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ DURING · 4 of 9
Import your bank statement file
Choose Import and select your supported bank-statement file. SmartBank converts supported original PDFs into transaction data during import, saving the separate PDF-to-CSV conversion and column-alignment work. Enter the PDF password if prompted.
Enlarge screen ↗Import bank statement file · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ DURING · 5 of 9
Review, edit and allocate the transactions
Check the imported dates, descriptions and amounts. Edit where needed, allocate line by line or use auto-allocation for recurring transactions. You can also export CSV without accounting allocations if you prefer to finish the coding in your accounting package.
Enlarge screen ↗Review, edit & allocate · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ DURING · 6 of 9
Match the cashbook to the bank-statement balance
Check the opening cashbook balance, deposits and withdrawals against the statement. The reconciled cashbook balance should agree with the bank-statement closing balance. Investigate differences before exporting a prepared cashbook.
Enlarge screen ↗Reconcile cashbook balance · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
Reconciled cashbook: R1,990.92 · Bank statement: R1,990.92
Where to find the reconciliation panels
Look at the bottom right of the SmartBank workspace. This full-screen view shows their location before the opening cashbook balance has been completed; the close-up above shows the matching balances.
→ AFTER · 7 of 9
Choose the format your accounting package needs
Open Export and choose the format that matches your accounting package’s cashbook import. For a data-only workflow, choose a suitable CSV format. Tell us your package and version if you need help confirming or adapting an export layout.
Enlarge screen ↗Choose export format · Select the screenshot for a closer look.
→ AFTER · 8 of 9
Choose where to save the exported file
Continue through the export assistant, choose the export location and give the file a clear name. Keep the saved file where you can find it for the next step.
Save-location checklist
Choose the folderUse a folder you can find again when importing into your accounting package.
Name the file clearlyInclude the client or company, bank and period. For a CSV export, for example: ClientName-Bank-2026-09.csv
Save and locate the exportConfirm the file is saved before opening your accounting package’s import process.
→ AFTER · 9 of 9
Import the saved file into your accounting package
Open your accounting package’s cashbook or bank-transaction import, select the file you saved and follow that package’s field-mapping and review steps. Your package must accept a compatible cashbook import. The screenshot below shows the exported CSV in Excel, ready for use; the accounting-package import is completed in your own software.
Enlarge screen ↗CSV result shown in Excel · Import it into your accounting software using a compatible format.
Step 1 of 9
Just need the data?
Import → Export CSV
Get the statement into usable columns, then carry on with the bookkeeping in Excel or your accounting package.
Want a prepared cashbook?
Import → Allocate → Reconcile → Export
Use recurring allocation rules, review and balance the transactions, then export in the format your accounting package needs.
The result, side by side
From SmartBank to Excel.
The same workflow, with the exported CSV open alongside the SmartBank transaction screen. Enlarge it to see the detail.
Work through your original bank-issued PDF statements in batches. SmartBank removes the separate conversion step and helps you prepare the transactions for your catch-up bookkeeping.
Your accounting package must accept a cashbook import. Tell us which package you use: we’ll confirm the required format and can adapt export layouts where needed. Compatibility depends on the bank statement layout and your accounting software.
Ideal for catch-up bookkeeping when all you have is PDF bank statements. SmartBank converts supported PDFs to CSV automatically as you import them.
Behind with the books? Start with your bank statements.
PDF → CSV, automatically while importing.
No separate converter. No copying transactions into an AI chat. No extra CSV-formatting step before SmartBank import.
Unlimited bank-statement imports each monthConversion included · No per-statement conversion charge
01 · Just need the data?
Convert. Export. Carry on.
Import your supported original bank PDF, then export CSV transaction data without accounting allocations. Finish the bookkeeping in your accounting package.
Reuse allocations, edit and split transactions, and reconcile in SmartBank. Export the prepared transactions with allocations in the format your accounting package needs.
Already have CSV, OFC or OFX files? Import your bank’s files directly. SmartBank works offline on Windows and prepares transactions for desktop or online accounting software.
Use original bank-issued PDFs. Scans, photographs and image-only PDFs are not supported. PDF conversion produces CSV, not OFX or OFC. Support depends on the bank and statement layout.
SmartBank’s new workflow converts supported PDF bank statements into transaction data inside the import process—removing the separate conversion step that used to slow people down.
✓
One connected workflowOpen the statement, prepare the data and continue in SmartBank.
✓
Password-protected PDFs supportedImport supported PDF statements, including password-protected files.
✓
Same controlled finishReview the transactions and export with or without accounting allocations.
Use the original PDF bank statement downloaded directly from your bank. Scanned statements, photographs and image-only PDF copies are not supported. Support also depends on the bank and statement layout. Contact us to confirm compatibility.
Save recurring rules and apply them across future statement batches.
02
Recurring splits
Reuse split transactions across multiple ledger accounts.
03
Find, replace & search
Clean imported descriptions and locate transactions quickly.
04
Independent history
Keep imported activity available for lookup, reporting and audit support.
05
Date-range control
Choose the reconciled transactions that should move into the cashbook.
Works with your accounting workflow
Prepare once. Export cleanly.
These are examples of accounting workflows. SmartBank helps you prepare and reconcile the bank data, then export it in a format compatible with your accounting package.
Built by an accountant and a systems engineer to save accountants, bookkeepers and business owners time and money—so they can focus on running the business rather than the admin of doing the books.
SmartBank foundersSylvain Ntumba & David Hartley
Built from both sides of the problem
Accounting experience meets software engineering.
SmartBank was created by professional accountant David Hartley and software developer Sylvain Ntumba. Their partnership combined day-to-day bookkeeping knowledge with deep accounting-software development.
More than a decade later, SmartBank is still supported and still evolving—most recently with automatic PDF conversion built directly into the bank statement import workflow.
Need to check a particular bank or accounting package? We’ll confirm the right route for your setup.
What does SmartBank do?+
It imports supported bank statement files, helps you allocate and clean transactions, guides the reconciliation, and exports the finished cashbook to supported accounting software.
How do I convert a PDF bank statement to CSV?+
Use the original PDF bank statement downloaded directly from your bank. Scanned statements, photographs and image-only PDF copies are not supported. SmartBank automatically converts a supported original bank-issued PDF to CSV transaction data during import. You can then allocate transactions, reconcile the cashbook and export a file to import into your accounting package. PDF conversion produces CSV only. It does not convert PDFs to OFX or OFC. Supported password-protected PDFs can also be imported. Compatibility depends on the bank and statement layout.
Can I import CSV, OFX and OFC files from my bank?+
Yes. Download the official CSV, OFX or OFC statement file from your bank, then import it into SmartBank. SmartBank supports bank-statement imports from South African banks; the formats available depend on your bank. Allocate transactions, reconcile the cashbook, then export the transaction file and import it into Pastel, Sage One (Sage Business Cloud Accounting), Xero or another accounting package, using the format that package requires. Contact us to confirm your bank layout and export requirements.
CSV, OFX and OFC are bank-file import options. PDF conversion produces CSV, not OFX or OFC.
Does SmartBank replace my accounting package?+
No. SmartBank prepares and reconciles bank transactions before they are imported into your chosen accounting package. A standalone mode is available for demonstration and learning.
More questions? Pricing, exports & support...+
Can I export CSV without allocating transactions?+
Yes. Import and convert a supported PDF bank statement, then export CSV data without accounting allocations. Alternatively, allocate and reconcile in SmartBank before exporting with allocations. The destination accounting package determines the required import format.
Is there a monthly statement limit or a per-PDF charge?+
SmartBank includes unlimited bank-statement imports each month and PDF conversion with no per-statement conversion charge. A 15-day free trial is available for new users.
Do I need ChatGPT or another PDF converter?+
No separate AI chat or PDF conversion service is needed for supported statements. SmartBank converts the original bank PDF to CSV transaction data during import, saving the separate conversion and formatting steps.
Which accounting packages can I export to?+
SmartBank supports workflows for Pastel Partner and Xpress, Sage One, Xero and OSFinancials. Other desktop and online packages may accept the exported data. Contact us to confirm the format for your package and version.
Can I try it before buying?+
Yes. Try SmartBank free for 15 days. Complete the trial form and save your details to access the Windows download and video tutorials. Contact us if you need help confirming your bank statement and accounting-package setup.
Do existing users pay for PDF import?+
The new PDF import feature is available to existing SmartBank users at no additional charge. Contact David for help getting the current update.
What if my statement will not import?+
Contact David with the bank name, statement format and a description of what happens. The team can investigate the layout and advise on compatibility.
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