Check your source
Forecast from an XAF file: check the source first
An XAF export provides accounting data, but does not decide which expectations are realistic. Rekenbox uses the file to determine income, costs and monthly averages. You control the source period, account classification and growth assumptions.
Request an Auditfile Financieel containing entries
Look for an Auditfile Financieel export function in the accounting software or ask your bookkeeper for it. A profit-and-loss PDF or an arbitrary XML file is not equivalent. The forecast maker needs the supported XAF structure and underlying entries. Export steps differ between vendors.
The current forecast maker supports XAF 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.0 in EUR, up to 10 MB and 1,000 ledger accounts. Changing a filename extension does not make another format compatible. Request a new export when the version, currency or source period is unsuitable.
Assign a role to each relevant account
Review the proposed classification into income, costs or excluded accounts. An account number or description can provide a clue but does not always establish economic meaning. Pay particular attention to generic descriptions such as Other. Balance-sheet accounts are excluded from the profit forecast by default.
| Check | What to review |
|---|---|
| Business and currency | The correct business, amounts in EUR |
| Reference period | Complete and fully posted calendar months |
| Accounts | Income, cost or excluded from the forecast |
| Entries | Duplicate identifiers, dates and transaction balance |
| Reconciliation | Totals compared with the same period in the software |
A partial month still counts
The tool uses the number of calendar months in the selected reference period. A month without entries counts, and a partial month counts as a full month. Suppose January and February contain €20,000 and an empty March is included. Dividing by three gives about €6,666.67 a month, while the two completed months average €10,000. Choose the baseline period deliberately.
Initial reading and classification happen on your device. Creating a report preview sends the input to the report service, which stores that recorded version encrypted. Downloadable source data belongs to that version. A new export does not change a previously purchased report.
Common questions
Does it work with every accounting package?
Compatibility depends on the export, not the brand. The software must provide a supported XAF export with usable entries. Rekenbox does not sign in directly to the accounting software.
Does a passed XAF check prove the accounts are correct?
The check examines technical consistency. It does not prove every transaction is complete, business-related or tax-correct. A missing invoice can remain outside the file without causing a format error.
Sources and product scope
The worked examples were prepared by Rekenbox for explanation. Product behaviour and source references were checked on the stated update date.
The Dutch Tax Administration describes XAF as an open standard for exchanging accounting data for reporting and checks. The Rekenbox limits listed here are product limits. Belastingdienst ODB · Achtergrond XAF 4.0 ↗
Continue your preparation
Check your source
Annual figures for finance: what does your overview show?
Need annual or interim figures for financing? Learn how to check an XAF overview and how it differs from statutory financial statements.
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Prepare for financing
Forecast for a bank: turn your figures into a supported plan
Preparing a forecast for a bank? See what to collect, a worked example and what an XAF forecast covers. Free preview, PDF €19 per report.
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Support your figures
Compare forecast scenarios: what if income or costs change?
Compare base, growth and downside forecasts. Includes calculated monthly results, sensitivity analysis and guidance on assumptions.
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