If invoices sync to the wrong income category in QuickBooks, it’s usually because the HoneyBook service isn’t mapped to the correct QuickBooks product or service. Creating and mapping services correctly ensures each invoice line item syncs to the proper income account in QuickBooks. This helps prevent reporting errors, keeps your profit and loss statement accurate, and ensures invoices sync correctly between HoneyBook and QuickBooks.
Before you start
HoneyBook only integrates with QuickBooks Online, not Self-Employed or Desktop
Every HoneyBook invoice line item must map to a QuickBooks product or service linked to an income account
Correct service mapping ensures invoices sync properly and revenue reports to the right category in your profit and loss report
Why service mapping matters
Correct mapping helps you:
Prevent invoices from defaulting to “Services”
Ensure revenue reports to the correct income account
Avoid mismatches between HoneyBook and QuickBooks
Maintain accurate profit and loss reporting
Reviewing your service mappings periodically helps prevent reporting issues later.
If invoices sync to the wrong income category in QuickBooks, it’s usually because the HoneyBook service isn’t mapped to the correct QuickBooks product or service.
Step 1: Create or update services in QuickBooks
All mapping starts in QuickBooks.
Create a new service
Services should usually be assigned to an income account, such as:
Service Income
Service Charge Income
Refunds Given (contra-income)
Avoid linking a service to a bank or deposit accounts
If the income account doesn’t exist, create a new income account before saving
Update an existing service
If invoices are defaulting to “Services” in QuickBooks, the service may be linked incorrectly. To fix this:
When updating a service, make sure you:
Select the correct income account, not a bank or deposit account
Select Also update this account in historical transactions, as selecting historical updates ensures past and future invoices reflect the correct income category
📣 Note
Updating historical transactions may remove invoices from your bank register view in QuickBooks. Review carefully before saving.
Step 2: Sync QuickBooks services to HoneyBook
After creating or updating services in QuickBooks, go to HoneyBook to sync your accounts. This refreshes available QuickBooks services inside HoneyBook.
If you don’t see a newly created service, sync again before invoicing
Step 3: Map services on HoneyBook invoices
In HoneyBook, open an invoice or invoice template
Use the “QuickBooks integration” dropdown in the right-side toolbar to select the matching QuickBooks service for each HoneyBook service
Select outside the field to save
Invoices sync to QuickBooks after a payment is received
Service charges in HoneyBook and QuickBooks
If you need to add a service charge:
In QuickBooks:
Create a service called “Service Charge”
Assign it to an income account, such as “Service Charge Income”
In HoneyBook:
Sync your accounts, then create or open an invoice
Add the service to the invoice, name it "Service Charge," and give it an appropriate price
Use the “QuickBooks integration” dropdown in the right-side toolbar to select the “Service Charge” service from your QuickBooks account
Select outside the field to save your selection
🔥 Stop
Don’t use service charges as a replacement for sales tax
Always set up and connect your proper tax rate in QuickBooks
Using service charges instead of tax codes can cause inaccurate reporting
Refund services
Refunds should post to a “Refunds Given” or similar contra-income account. To set this up:
In QuickBooks:
Create a service named “Refunds Given”
Assign it to a contra-income account, not an expense account
In HoneyBook:
Under “Choose a QuickBooks account to link with refunds,” select the “Refunds Given” service from your QuickBooks account
This ensures refunds reduce income properly on your profit and loss report
Closed accounting period errors
If the invoice date falls within a locked accounting period:
Service mapping or tax changes won’t sync
Income account updates won’t apply
Service charge edits won’t update
To resolve in QuickBooks:
Edit your closed books to temporarily reopen the accounting period
Refresh the invoice and resync the payment
Close the period again
If you need more help
If invoices are reporting incorrectly:
Confirm the service is linked to the correct income account
Verify you selected Also update this account in historical transactions
Check whether the accounting period is closed
Sync your accounts again in HoneyBook
If issues continue, contact our Support team with the invoice number and service name.
Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!