# How to code one bill to several account codes in Xero

In Xero, add a line for each type of cost on the bill. Set a different account and tax rate on each line, then check the total matches the invoice.

Coding one bill to several accounts means each line of a supplier invoice goes to the expense or asset account that matches what was bought.

## Before you start

- A user role that can create bills (Administrator, Standard, Sales and purchases or Purchases)

## The Xero way

Where to find it: Purchases > Bills > New bill

1. Add one line for each account the cost belongs to.
2. Pick the Account on each line, for example Freight, Materials and Subcontractors.
3. Check the bill total matches the supplier invoice, then save.

## Limits in Xero

- Each line has one account. Split a line by adding another line.
- Tax is worked out per line, so splitting an invoice across lines can leave a small rounding difference. Up to 0.10 is accepted as rounding.

## Good to know in Xero

- Xero suggests an account from the supplier's purchase defaults or from earlier bills. You can change it.

## The Pulsify way

1. Forward the supplier's invoice to your Pulsify address or upload it. Pulsify reads every line and finds the supplier in Xero.
2. Pulsify suggests an account for each line from past bills for that supplier. Each line gets its own account and tax rate.
3. Check the suggestions in Pulsify, change any that are wrong and approve.
4. The bill is created in Xero with the right account on every line.

Pulsify connects to Xero in one click. Approved bills are created in Xero with the source file attached.

What Pulsify does not do here:

- Pulsify can only pick from the accounts that exist in Xero.

## Common mistakes

- Accepting the suggested account on every line without checking it.
- Adding lines and not rechecking the bill total against the supplier invoice.

## Common questions

### Can one Xero bill line go to two accounts?

No. Each line has one account. Add another line for each extra account.

### Will Xero suggest an account?

Yes. Xero suggests an account from the supplier's purchase defaults or from earlier bills. You can change it on any line.

### Why is the GST a few cents out after I split a bill?

Xero works out tax per line, so splitting an invoice across lines can leave a small rounding difference. Up to 0.10 is accepted as rounding.

### Does Pulsify learn how I code?

Yes. Pulsify suggests an account for each line from how that supplier was coded on past bills. You can change any suggestion.

## Sources

- https://central.xero.com/0/article/Bill-fields
- https://central.xero.com/0/article/Add-and-approve-bills

Source: https://www.pulsify.tech/how-to/code-one-bill-to-several-accounts-in-xero/ (last checked 2026-10-19)