The short version
Bank feeds are useful, but they are not the only way to keep a reliable cashbook. A careful CSV import process can give sole traders a strong reconciliation workflow before automated bank sync launches in early 2027.
Use the bank statement as a check, not the only record
Receipts, invoices, and payment messages often arrive before the bank statement is exported. Capture those records when they happen, then use the CSV import as the later check against money actually moving through the account.
This keeps useful context close to the transaction while still giving you the discipline of a statement review.
Match existing receipts before adding new rows
A good import should not create duplicates just because you already captured a receipt. SimpleTaxFlow matches conservative signals such as date, amount, reference, and description so a statement line can reconcile an existing record.
Rows that do not match become uncategorised cashbook entries for review, which is exactly where you want uncertainty to land.
Keep a simple template for awkward bank exports
Different banks label CSV columns in different ways. A template with Date, Description, Reference, Money in, and Money out gives users a fallback format when an export is messy or missing obvious headings.
That small bit of structure makes imports easier to support and easier for accountants to understand.
Put this into practice
Follow the step-by-step SimpleTaxFlow workflow when you are ready to act.