Complete Documentation

User Manual

Comprehensive guide to using every feature of WAZOBIA-Books

Getting Started

WAZOBIA-Books is a SaaS product

You use it in your web browser β€” there is nothing to install. This guide starts at First Login. If you don't have an account yet, use User Registration first, then sign in below.

First Login

After your account exists (or if you were invited by your organisation), open the WAZOBIA-Books web app and sign in.

  1. Go to the sign-in page: Open login (opens in a new tab).
  2. Use Login / Sign in if you are not already on the login form.
  3. Enter your email and password.
  4. After a successful login, you'll reach the dashboard.

Email-Based Login

WAZOBIA-Books uses email addresses for login instead of usernames. This is simpler and more secure.

User Registration

New to WAZOBIA-Books? Create your account, then continue with First Login. Quick link: Open registration.

Creating a new account is simple:

  1. Click "Register" or "Create Account"
  2. Enter your details:
    • First Name and Last Name
    • Email Address (used for login)
    • Password (minimum 8 characters)
    • Business Name (optional - creates your business automatically)
    • Phone Number (optional)
  3. Click "Create Account"
  4. You'll be automatically logged in

No Username Required

Your username is automatically generated from your email address. You only need to remember your email to login.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

For enhanced security, 2FA is available for Owner and Accountant roles. This can be configured in Settings β†’ Security.

Initial Setup

Before using the system, you need to configure:

  • Business Profile - Your company details
  • Tax jurisdiction - Nigeria (default), Ghana, or South Africa β€” drives which tax compliance screens and summaries apply
  • Chart of Accounts - Use the built-in template
  • Tax Settings - VAT, WHT rates
  • User Accounts - Team member access

System Configuration

Configure your organisation from Settings and the relevant modules β€” chart of accounts, tax, and integrations are all managed in the app (no command-line setup for SaaS users).

Chart of accounts

Use built-in templates and onboarding in the product to create a standard chart of accounts (GAAP/IFRS-aligned). Owners and accountants can adjust accounts under Settings and Accounting.

API Documentation

JWT authentication, core REST endpoints (invoicing, customers, expenses, reports), error codes, and integration notes are maintained on the dedicated API documentation page.

Open the API reference

Includes authentication flow, quick-reference table, method-level paths, and error handling.

Go to API Documentation β†’

Invoicing & Billing

Managing Customers

To create a new customer:

  1. Go to Customers from the sidebar
  2. Click "Add Customer"
  3. Select Customer Type: Business, Individual, or Government
  4. Enter customer details:
    • Name (required) - Contact name or full name
    • Company Name - For business customers
    • Email - For sending invoices
    • Phone - Contact number
    • TIN - Tax ID Number (important for WHT)
    • Address, City, State - Location details
    • Credit Limit - Maximum outstanding balance (₦)
    • Payment Terms - Days until payment due (default 30)
  5. Click "Add Customer"

Automatic Business Assignment

Customers are automatically linked to your business. You don't need to select a business when creating customers.

Validation Errors

If there are any issues with your input, detailed error messages will be shown. Check that required fields are filled correctly.

Creating Invoices

To create a professional invoice:

  1. Go to Invoices from the sidebar
  2. Click "Create Invoice"
  3. Select a Customer from the dropdown
  4. Set Issue Date and Due Date
  5. Optionally enter a custom Invoice Number (auto-generated if left blank)
  6. Add Invoice Items by clicking "Add Item":
    • Description - What you're billing for
    • Quantity - Number of units
    • Unit Price - Price per unit (₦)
    • Taxable - Check to apply VAT
  7. Review the calculated totals
  8. Click "Create Invoice"

Auto-Calculated Fields

The system automatically calculates: Subtotal, VAT (7.5% on taxable items), WHT (if enabled), and Total Amount. No manual math needed!

Create Customer First

If your customer isn't in the dropdown, go to Customers and add them first. Then return to create the invoice.

Invoice Status

StatusDescription
DraftBeing prepared, not sent
SentSent to customer
ViewedCustomer has viewed
PartialPartially paid
PaidFully paid
OverduePast due date
CancelledCancelled invoice

VAT Calculation

VAT is automatically calculated at 7.5% on taxable items:

  • Default VAT rate: 7.5%
  • Applied only to items marked as "Taxable"
  • VAT amount shown separately on invoice
  • Total = Subtotal + VAT

Withholding Tax (WHT)

WHT can be applied to invoices when the customer withholds tax:

  • Check "Apply WHT" on the invoice
  • Default rate: 5% (can be customized per customer)
  • WHT is deducted from total amount
  • Net Amount = Total - WHT

Recording Payments

  1. Go to the invoice detail page
  2. Scroll to "Payments" section
  3. Click "Add Payment"
  4. Enter:
    • Payment Amount
    • Payment Date
    • Payment Method (Cash, Bank Transfer, Cheque, etc.)
  5. Save - balance updates automatically

Recurring Invoices

Set up automatic invoice generation for regular billing:

  1. Go to Invoicing β†’ Recurring Invoices
  2. Create recurring invoice template
  3. Set frequency (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annually)
  4. Define start date and end date (optional)
  5. System automatically generates invoices on schedule

Expense Management

Managing Vendors

  1. Go to Expenses β†’ Vendors β†’ Add Vendor
  2. Enter vendor details:
    • Name, Email, Phone
    • TIN (Tax Identification Number) - Important for WHT compliance
    • Address
  3. Save

Expense Categories

  1. Go to Expenses β†’ Expense Categories
  2. Create categories like:
    • Office Supplies
    • Travel & Entertainment
    • Professional Fees
    • Utilities
    • Marketing
  3. Mark as Tax Deductible if applicable

Recording Expenses

  1. Go to Expenses β†’ Expenses β†’ Add Expense
  2. Select: Vendor, Category, Business
  3. Enter: Description, Amount, Date, Payment Method
  4. Mark as Tax Deductible if applicable
  5. Save

Recurring Expenses

For expenses that repeat (rent, subscriptions, etc.):

  1. Go to Expenses β†’ Recurring Expenses
  2. Set up: Description, Amount, Frequency, Start Date
  3. System auto-generates expenses on schedule

Payroll Management

Adding Employees

  1. Go to Payroll β†’ Employees β†’ Add Employee
  2. Enter personal details:
    • First Name, Last Name
    • Email, Phone
    • Employee ID
  3. Employment details:
    • Job Title, Department
    • Employment Type (Full-time, Part-time, Contract)
    • Hire Date
  4. Salary information:
    • Basic Salary
    • Allowances (if any)
  5. Save

Payroll Periods

  1. Go to Payroll β†’ Payroll Periods β†’ Add Payroll Period
  2. Enter:
    • Period Name (e.g., "January 2025")
    • Start Date
    • End Date
    • Pay Date
  3. Save

PAYE Calculation

The system automatically calculates PAYE based on Nigerian tax bands:

Annual IncomeTax Rate
First ₦300,0007%
Next ₦300,00011%
Next ₦500,00015%
Next ₦500,00019%
Next ₦1,600,00021%
Above ₦3,200,00024%

Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA)

CRA is automatically applied: Higher of ₦200,000 or 1% of gross income, plus 20% of gross income.

Pension & NHF

Automatic statutory deductions:

  • Pension (Employee): 8% of basic salary
  • Pension (Employer): 10% of basic salary
  • NHF: 2.5% of basic salary

Net Salary Formula:

Net = Gross - PAYE - Pension (8%) - NHF (2.5%) - Other Deductions

Generating Payslips

  1. Go to the Payroll Period
  2. System automatically generates payslips for all active employees
  3. Review each payslip
  4. Mark as "Paid" when payment is made
  5. Export or print payslips

Inventory Management

Adding Products

  1. Go to Inventory β†’ Products β†’ Add Product
  2. Enter:
    • Name, SKU, Barcode
    • Description
    • Product Type (Product, Service, Digital)
    • Category
  3. Pricing: Cost Price, Selling Price
  4. Inventory settings:
    • Track Inventory: Yes/No
    • Quantity on Hand
    • Reorder Level
    • Reorder Quantity
  5. Tax: Mark as Taxable for VAT
  6. Save

Stock Audit & Reconciliation

Use Stock auditon the Inventory page to compare each tracked product's quantity on hand with the total implied by stock movements. This helps you catch data issues before a physical count or external audit.

  1. Go to Inventory
  2. Click Stock audit
  3. Review the summary: when everything matches, you'll see confirmation that on-hand quantities align with movements
  4. If there are mismatches, use Show mismatches only to focus on products where on-hand quantity differs from the movement total

Tip: Investigate mismatches by reviewing recent receipts, adjustments, and sales before posting large corrections.

Stock Movements & Adjustments

For general movements (purchases, sales, transfers), go to Inventory β†’ Stock Movements β†’ Add Stock Movement and choose the movement type. Quantities update automatically.

Adjust stock (from the product list)

To correct quantity on hand from the Inventory screen, use Adjust stock on a product. You must select a reason code and may add optional notes for audit purposes:

  • Cycle count correction
  • Damage / write-off
  • Shrinkage / theft
  • Return to supplier
  • Customer return
  • System / data correction
  • Other

Approval for large adjustments: Your organisation can set an inventory adjustment approval threshold. When an adjustment exceeds that amount, it is submitted for approval instead of applying immediately. Owners or accountants see Pending stock adjustments on the Inventory page and can Approve or Reject each request.

Purchase Orders & Vendor Bills

  1. Go to Inventory β†’ Purchase Orders β†’ Add Purchase Order
  2. Select Vendor
  3. Add lines: Product, Quantity, Unit Price
  4. System calculates totals; set status (e.g. Draft, Sent) as your process requires
  5. Receiving goods: When you receive against the PO, enter the unit cost per line. Stock and product cost (FIFO or average, depending on settings) update from the receipt. The system prevents receiving more than ordered unless your process allows it.
  6. Bills linked to a PO: If a vendor bill is tied to a purchase order, stock is normally recognised when you receive the PO. Paying the bill records accounts payable and cashβ€”it does not add stock again, so you avoid double-counting inventory.

Waybills & dispatch

Waybills are delivery notes tied to inventory dispatch. The list screen explains: delivery notes linked to inventory dispatch β€” you confirm dispatch to post stock out. Waybills require the advanced inventory feature (typically Grow tier and above). If your plan does not include it, the app shows an upgrade message with a link to Subscription.

Waybills list

  • Open Waybills in the sidebar. Use New waybill to start a blank document.
  • Search by waybill number, carrier, or customer. The table shows date, status, customer, linked invoice (if any), and Open to edit.

Creating a waybill

  • From scratch: New waybill opens the editor. Add header fields (waybill date, carrier, customer, delivery address, notes) and line items: inventory product, quantity, optional serial / batch, and per-line notes. You need at least one line with a product β€” add products under Inventory first if the editor warns there are no products.
  • From an invoice: on the Invoices screen, you can create a waybill draft from invoice when advanced inventory is enabled. Each invoice line must be linked to an inventory product (use β€œLink products to lines” or similar on the invoice if needed). The app creates the draft and opens the waybill editor. Alternatively, opening /waybills/new?invoice=<id> triggers the same server flow.
  • Save draft creates or updates the waybill without moving stock. While status is Draft, you can edit lines, Cancel the waybill, or Delete a draft.

Statuses & stock

  • Draft β€” editable; stock not dispatched yet.
  • Confirm dispatch (available once the waybill is saved) posts the outbound movement and records COGS using your costing method (FIFO or average). Success toast: stock dispatched, movement recorded.
  • Dispatched β€” header and lines are locked; stock has left.
  • Cancel β€” cancels a draft waybill (does not dispatch).
  • Void & restore stock β€” for a dispatched waybill, voids it and restores stock (irreversible; you must confirm in the dialog).
  • Cancelled / Voided β€” shown as distinct terminal states in the list.

Share & export

On a saved waybill, the toolbar includes:

  • PDF and JPEG β€” download a generated document/image from the server.
  • Print β€” prints a formatted Delivery waybill layout (line items, SKU, serial/batch, notes).
  • Email β€” opens your mail client with a pre-filled subject and a text summary plus a link to the waybill in WaZoBia Books.
  • WhatsApp β€” shares a summary; on supported devices the app may attach the waybill JPEG via the system share sheet, otherwise it falls back to opening WhatsApp with the text.

Sales vs dispatch vs payment

For inventory products, outbound quantity can follow dispatch (waybill confirmed) or invoice payment, depending on how you operate. The app avoids removing the same physical quantity twice: goods are not deducted again on payment when they were already covered by a confirmed waybillβ€”keeping stock and COGS aligned with operations.

Costing Methods

WAZOBIA-Books supports two costing methods. Receipts, adjustments, and dispatch all feed into the same costing rules for COGS and inventory valuation.

FIFO (First In, First Out)

  • Oldest stock sold or dispatched first
  • Cost follows purchase and receipt order
  • Often used for perishable or serialised goods

Average Cost (AVG)

  • Weighted average of costs from receipts and purchases
  • Cost = Total Cost / Total Quantity
  • Straightforward when many similar items move through inventory

Bank Reconciliation

Open Bank Recon in the sidebar (full name: Bank Reconciliation). Bank operating accounts are not managed under Settings β€” you add and manage them here, import statement lines, and match them to accounting entries (journal lines on your linked bank/cash accounts in the chart of accounts).

Bank accounts

  • If you have no accounts yet, use Add bank account and enter bank name, account number, currency, balance, and link the account to the correct chart-of-accounts code (cash/bank account).
  • Use the Account for this reconciliation dropdown or click a card in the grid to choose which bank account you are working on. Imports and the statement line list always apply to the selected account.
  • Add another account is available when you already have at least one bank account.

The page shows summary tiles: Total Transactions, Matched, Unmatched, and Net Movement, plus optional unmatched aging buckets (0–30, 31–60, 61–90, over 90 days) when the API provides them.

Import CSV / OFX

  1. Select the bank account you want to import into.
  2. Click Import CSV / OFX in the header, choose your file, and upload.
  3. The app attaches the file to a bank statement for that account and parses rows into statement lines (date, description, reference, amount). Supported formats depend on your deployment (typically CSV and OFX).
  4. After import, review any toast messages: partial imports may list row errors; the API may also return balance validation hints if the file does not reconcile to expected balances.
  5. Use Refresh on the filter row to reload statement lines from the server.

Reconciliation sessions & validate balance

Start session opens a formal reconciliation period: you set a date range and closing balance (and optionally a start date). Sessions appear under Formal reconciliation sessions with a status; when a session is in progress, you can Complete session once the period is fully reconciled.

Validate Balancecalls the server to check that the bank account's books balance as expected for reconciliation; you get a clear pass/fail (and difference if any).

These actions sit in the top toolbar next to import and auto-match (when an account is selected).

Matching & reconciliation tools

Auto-Match runs across the selected bank account: the server attempts to match many statement lines to existing ledger journal entries in one go (using a confidence threshold configured in the app, e.g. 85%). Use this after import to clear obvious matches quickly.

For each statement line, status can be:

  • Matched β€” linked to a journal entry; you can Unmatch if needed.
  • Unmatched β€” needs your action.
  • Partial β€” partially matched (review confidence; you can unmatch).
  • Ignored β€” excluded from matching (e.g. duplicates or non-business lines).

Per-line actions (unmatched lines)

  • Find matches (magnifying glass) β€” fetches suggested journal entries with confidence %; pick a suggestion or use Match to open the full match dialog.
  • Match β€” choose which ledger entry to link to the line (invoices/expenses in the app post to the ledger; matching ties the bank line to those entries).
  • Split β€” split one bank line across multiple ledger entries when one amount covers several items.
  • Transfer β€” detect/match inter-bank transfers using the transfer-match flow (counterparty cash account when applicable).
  • Ignore β€” mark the line as ignored so it no longer appears as unmatched.

Bulk actions: select multiple lines with checkboxes, then match in bulk where the best suggestion meets the minimum confidence (e.g. 72%+) or ignore many lines at once. Run Find matches on lines first so bulk match has suggestions.

From the match dialog you can also create a transaction from the line (e.g. income or expense) so the system posts a journal entry and matches the line in one step when the deployment allows it.

Use search and the status filter (All / Unmatched / Matched / Partial / Ignored) to focus the table. Match History at the bottom lists recent match/unmatch actions for the account.

Financial Reports

Profit & Loss Report

  1. Go to Reports β†’ Profit & Loss
  2. Select: Date Range, Business
  3. View:
    • Revenue (Income)
    • Cost of Goods Sold
    • Gross Profit
    • Operating Expenses
    • Net Profit

Balance Sheet

  1. Go to Reports β†’ Balance Sheet
  2. Select date
  3. View:
    • Assets
    • Liabilities
    • Equity
    • Total Assets = Liabilities + Equity

Cash Flow Statement

  1. Go to Reports β†’ Cash Flow
  2. Select period
  3. View:
    • Operating Activities
    • Investing Activities
    • Financing Activities
    • Net Cash Flow

VAT Return

  1. Go to Reports β†’ VAT Return
  2. Select period
  3. View:
    • Output VAT (on sales)
    • Input VAT (on purchases)
    • VAT Payable/Receivable
    • Export for Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) filing

Executive Pack (PDF)

From Reports, you can generate a combined Executive pack PDF for a selected date range. Tick the sections you need (for example finance, HR/payroll, assets), then generate and download a single PDF for management or stakeholders.

Tax Compliance

Tax Compliance page & tabs

Open Tax Compliance in the sidebar. The screen is organised into tabs (exact labels match the app):

  • Obligations β€” upcoming and overdue tax obligations, amounts, and status
  • Tax rates β€” reference rates for your jurisdiction (for Nigeria, rates align with Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025 where applicable, including VAT, WHT, PAYE bands, CIT, development levy, NHF, pension)
  • Filing history β€” past filings and NRS-related submission records
  • WHT certificates β€” create and manage withholding tax certificate records
  • Tax calendar β€” key due dates by period
  • Reminders β€” custom reminders for tax types and due dates
  • NG remittance (shown when the business tax jurisdiction is Nigeria) β€” Nigeria-specific remittance summaries, due-date hints, and shortcuts (for example opening the VAT return in Reports)

Tax Calculator

On the Tax Compliance page, click Tax Calculator (top of the screen) to open the interactive calculator. Choose a tax type, enter amounts, and run the calculation β€” results are computed using the same rules as the live app (via the tax API where available).

Supported types include (among others):

  • VAT (7.5%)
  • WHT β€” services (5%)
  • CIT β€” company income tax (including small-company relief where applicable)
  • PAYE (monthly)
  • Pension and NHF (2.5%)
  • Development levy (NTA 2025)
  • NIT levy (prescribed companies)
  • Stamp duty (e-transfer model)

Business tax jurisdiction

In Settings β†’ Business, set the Tax jurisdiction for each business (for example Nigeria, Ghana, or South Africa). The app uses this to show the right tax compliance experience β€” for example Nigeria-specific remittance summaries and Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) options where applicable.

Ghana and South Africa selections use placeholder or evolving configurations; full statutory coverage for those markets may expand over time. When in doubt, confirm calculations against your adviser and local rules.

Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) e-invoicing (Nigeria)

For businesses with tax jurisdiction set to Nigeria, open Settings β†’ Business and use the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) E-Invoicing tab.

  • Turn e-invoicing on or off per business
  • Optional sandbox mode so the server can call NRS sandbox URLs instead of production (when your deployment is configured for it)
  • Store API credentials per business (or rely on server defaults where supported)
  • Use Test connection to verify credentials and that the server can reach the NRS token/auth endpoint

Deployment note

Live NRS connectivity depends on server configuration (for example enabling NRS e-invoicing on the backend and setting the correct base URLs). Your hosting or IT partner configures production vs sandbox endpoints.

VAT Management

VAT on Sales:

  • Automatically calculated on invoices
  • Rate: 7.5% (default)
  • Can be customized per invoice

VAT on Purchases:

  • Recorded on expenses
  • Input VAT can be claimed
  • Net VAT = Output VAT - Input VAT

WHT Certificates

Withholding Tax Rates:

TypeRate
Services5%
Contracts5%
Consultancy10%
Dividends10%
Interest10%
Rent10%

PAYE Management

  • Automatically calculated in payroll
  • Based on Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025 marginal annual bands (as implemented in the app)
  • Remitted monthly to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS)

Filings, filing history & NRS submission history

  1. Go to Tax Compliance and use the Obligations tab to work on upcoming filings
  2. Open Filing history to review past filings, statuses, and NRS references
  3. Create or update filings for VAT, WHT, PAYE, CIT, and other supported types as your deployment allows
  4. For Nigeria: where the deployment supports it, you can submit to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) from the filing flow, or record a manual submission when you filed outside the app
  5. Each filing can show NRS submission history β€” an immutable audit trail of API and manual NRS-related submissions

Why this matters

The audit history gives you a clear record of what was sent or recorded for NRS, which helps reconciliation and compliance reviews.

NG remittance (Nigeria)

When your business tax jurisdiction is Nigeria, an extra tab NG remittance appears on Tax Compliance. It summarises statutory remittances (for example PAYE, pension, NHF, VAT, WHT) and due-date guidance for the selected period, and can link to the VAT return in Reports for the same month where applicable.

Accounting

In the app, this area is under Accounting in the sidebar (route /accounting). Here you manage your chart of accounts, journal entries, trial balance, balance sheet (same screen), and closing entries. The underlying books are your general ledger; individual rows are accounts (not a separate "Ledger" menu). You can deep-link a tab with a query string, for example /accounting?tab=chart-of-accounts or tab=journal-entries.

Chart of Accounts

In the app: go to Accounting β†’ Chart of Accounts tab to view, search, filter, and add or edit accounts (each account has a code, name, type, and normal balance).

Server / developer seed (optional):

python setup_chart_of_accounts.py

This can seed 70+ standard GAAP/IFRS-style accounts on a new deployment.

Account Types:

  • Assets (1000-1999): Cash, Bank, Inventory, etc.
  • Liabilities (2000-2999): Accounts Payable, Loans, etc.
  • Equity (3000-3999): Capital, Retained Earnings
  • Income (4000-4999): Sales, Service Revenue
  • Expenses (5000-5999): COGS, Operating Expenses

Journal Entries

  1. Go to Accounting β†’ open the Journal Entries tab β†’ add a journal entry
  2. Enter: Date, Memo/Description, Currency (default: NGN)
  3. Add Journal Lines:
    • Account (chart of accounts code)
    • Debit Amount
    • Credit Amount
  4. System ensures debits = credits
  5. Save

Trial Balance & Balance Sheet

  1. Go to Accounting β†’ Trial Balance or Balance Sheet tab
  2. Select date
  3. View:
    • All accounts
    • Debit balances
    • Credit balances
    • Total debits = Total credits

Closing Entries & period close

Close an accounting period by posting period-end closing entries (revenue and expense to retained earnings). Approvers can also reverse closing where the deployment allows.

  1. Go to Accounting β†’ Closing Entries tab
  2. Choose the period end date and run close period (or equivalent)
  3. After closing, new activity belongs in the next period; use reverse closing only with care β€” it affects financial statements

Important

Period locks are enforced at the model level and cannot be bypassed. Always ensure all entries are complete before locking a period.

Backup & Data Export

Backup Overview

WAZOBIA-Books provides secure backup options to protect your business data:

How Backup Works

  • β€’ Your primary data is stored securely in our cloud database
  • β€’ You can backup your data to your own Google Drive
  • β€’ Backups are stored as JSON files you own and control
  • β€’ Enable automatic nightly backups for peace of mind

What gets backed up:

  • Business profile and settings
  • All customers and vendors
  • Invoices and payments
  • Expenses and categories
  • Employee and payroll data
  • Inventory and products
  • Journal entries and chart-of-accounts data
  • Tax filings and compliance records

Connect Google Drive

To enable backups to your Google Drive:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Backup & Export
  2. Click "Connect Google Drive"
  3. Sign in with your Google account
  4. Click "Allow" to grant access
  5. You'll be redirected back to WAZOBIA-Books

Your Data, Your Control

A folder called "WAZOBIA-Books-Data" will be created in your Google Drive. All backups are stored there and you have full access to them.

Privacy Note: WAZOBIA-Books only has access to files it creates in your Drive. We cannot see or access any other files in your Google Drive.

Manual Backup

Create a backup anytime you want:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Backup & Export
  2. Ensure Google Drive is connected (green status)
  3. Click "Backup Now"
  4. Wait for the backup to complete
  5. You'll see a success message with the backup name

When to Create Manual Backups

  • β€’ Before making major changes to your data
  • β€’ At the end of each business day
  • β€’ Before closing a fiscal period
  • β€’ Before tax filing deadlines

Backup File Naming:

  • backup_manual_20251218_143022.json - Manual backup with timestamp
  • latest_backup.json - Always contains the most recent backup

Automatic Backups

Enable automatic daily backups for worry-free data protection:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Backup & Export
  2. Find the "Automatic Backups" toggle
  3. Switch it to ON
  4. Backups will run automatically at 2:00 AM daily

Recommended

We highly recommend enabling automatic backups. This ensures your data is always protected without requiring any manual action.

Auto-backup features:

  • Runs every night at 2:00 AM (Lagos time)
  • Creates timestamped backup files
  • Updates latest_backup.json automatically
  • Sends notification if backup fails

View & Download Backups

Access your backup history:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Backup & Export
  2. Scroll to "Backup History"
  3. View list of all backups with dates and sizes
  4. Click on any backup to:
    • Download: Get the JSON file
    • View: See backup contents
    • Delete: Remove old backups

Access directly in Google Drive:

  1. Open Google Drive (drive.google.com)
  2. Navigate to WAZOBIA-Books-Data folder
  3. View all your backup files
  4. Download or share as needed
Backup TypeFile Name Pattern
Manualbackup_manual_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json
Automaticbackup_auto_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json
Latestlatest_backup.json

Export Data

Export your data for use in spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets):

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Backup & Export
  2. Click "Export Data"
  3. Select what to export:
    • All Data
    • Invoices Only
    • Expenses Only
    • Payroll Only
    • Custom Selection
  4. Choose format: JSON or CSV
  5. Click "Download"

No Google Drive Required

Data export works without Google Drive connection. You can export your data anytime directly to your computer.

Common uses for exported data:

  • Create custom reports in Excel
  • Share data with your accountant
  • Import into other software
  • Audit and compliance purposes
  • Data analysis and visualization

Security & Access

User Roles

WAZOBIA-Books has different access levels based on user roles:

RoleAccess Level
OwnerFull access to all features, settings, and user management
AccountantFull access to accounting features, limited admin access
StaffBasic access to transactions and data entry
ViewerRead-only access to reports and dashboards

2FA Required for Sensitive Roles

Owner and Accountant roles require Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for enhanced security.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Enable 2FA for an extra layer of security:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Security
  2. Click "Enable 2FA"
  3. Scan the QR code with an authenticator app:
    • Google Authenticator
    • Microsoft Authenticator
    • Authy
  4. Enter the 6-digit code from your app
  5. Save your backup codes securely

Backup Codes

You'll receive 8 backup codes. Keep these safe - they can be used if you lose access to your authenticator app.

Password Security

Password requirements:

  • Minimum 8 characters
  • Mix of letters, numbers, and symbols recommended
  • Passwords are encrypted and never stored in plain text

Resetting Your Password

  1. Click "Forgot Password?" on login page
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Check your email for reset link
  4. Create a new password

Account Lockout

After 5 failed login attempts, your account will be temporarily locked for 30 minutes to protect against brute force attacks.

Session Management

Your login sessions are managed securely:

  • Sessions use secure HTTP-only cookies
  • JWT tokens expire and refresh automatically
  • Click "Logout" to end your session
  • Sessions expire after 24 hours of inactivity

AI Insights & Features

AI Overview

WAZOBIA-Books includes powerful AI-powered features to automate tasks, detect issues, and provide insights:

AI Features Available

  • β€’ Smart Categorization - Auto-categorize transactions
  • β€’ Payment Predictions - Predict when customers will pay
  • β€’ Fraud Detection - Detect duplicate/suspicious invoices
  • β€’ AI Reports - Generate narrative financial summaries
  • β€’ Cash Flow Forecasting - Predict future cash positions
  • β€’ Anomaly Detection - Find unusual transactions

Access AI features by clicking "AI Insights" in the sidebar navigation.

Smart Transaction Categorization

AI automatically categorizes transactions based on descriptions and patterns:

  1. Go to AI Insights from the sidebar
  2. Click "Auto-Categorize" in Quick Actions
  3. AI analyzes uncategorized transactions
  4. Review suggested categories with confidence scores
  5. Approve or reject suggestions

Learning System

The AI learns from your corrections. The more you use it, the more accurate it becomes.

Payment Predictions

AI predicts when customers will pay invoices based on historical patterns:

  1. Go to AI Insights β†’ Payment Predictions
  2. Click "Generate Predictions"
  3. View predictions for all outstanding invoices
  4. See:
    • Predicted Payment Date - When payment is expected
    • Days Until Payment - Expected wait time
    • Risk Score - Low, Medium, or High risk
    • Confidence - AI's confidence in prediction

Risk Levels

Risk LevelDescriptionAction
LowExpected on timeNo action needed
MediumMay be delayedSend reminder
HighLikely late paymentProactive follow-up

Invoice Fraud Detection

AI scans invoices for potential fraud indicators:

  1. Go to AI Insights β†’ Fraud Detection
  2. Click "Scan for Fraud"
  3. AI analyzes all invoices for:
    • Duplicate Invoices - Same amount and vendor
    • Unusual Amounts - Significantly higher than average
    • Suspicious Vendors - New vendors with large amounts
    • Timing Anomalies - Invoices at unusual times
  4. Review flagged invoices
  5. Mark as legitimate or investigate further

Fraud Indicators

  • β€’ Duplicate invoices from same vendor
  • β€’ Round number amounts (₦100,000 exactly)
  • β€’ Amounts just below approval thresholds
  • β€’ New vendors with immediate large invoices

AI-Generated Reports

Generate human-readable financial narratives:

  1. Go to AI Insights β†’ AI Reports
  2. Click "Generate AI Report"
  3. Select report type:
    • Executive Summary - High-level business overview
    • Financial Health - Detailed financial analysis
    • Cash Position - Liquidity and cash flow analysis
    • Performance - Revenue and profitability trends
  4. Choose language: English or Nigerian Pidgin
  5. Download or share the report

Report Sections

AI reports include: Summary, Highlights, Concerns, Recommendations, and Key Metrics.

Cash Flow Forecasting

Predict future cash positions based on historical data:

  1. Go to AI Insights
  2. View the Cash Flow Forecast chart
  3. See predictions for:
    • Expected cash inflows (from receivables)
    • Expected cash outflows (from payables)
    • Net cash position projections
    • Seasonal patterns and trends
  4. Hover over chart points for details

Accuracy Improves Over Time

The more historical data available, the more accurate forecasts become. At least 3 months of data is recommended.

Anomaly Detection

AI monitors transactions for unusual patterns:

  1. Go to AI Insights
  2. Click "Scan for Anomalies"
  3. AI flags transactions that are:
    • Significantly larger or smaller than usual
    • From unusual vendors or customers
    • At unusual times (weekend, holiday, late night)
    • In unusual categories for the vendor
  4. Review flagged items in the Anomalies list
  5. Mark as reviewed to dismiss false positives

AI Configuration

Customize AI behavior in Settings:

  1. Go to AI Insights
  2. Scroll to AI Settings section
  3. Configure:
    • Confidence Threshold - Minimum confidence for auto-actions (default 70%)
    • Enable Auto-Categorization - Automatically categorize new transactions
    • Enable Fraud Alerts - Get notified of suspicious invoices
    • Enable Anomaly Alerts - Get notified of unusual transactions

Confidence Threshold Guide

ThresholdBehaviorBest For
90%+Very conservativeBusinesses needing high accuracy
70-89%Balanced (recommended)Most businesses
50-69%More suggestionsHigh volume, quick review

Lower Threshold = More False Positives

Setting a lower confidence threshold means more suggestions but also more items to review manually.

Tips & Best Practices

General Tips

  • Regular Backups: Enable automatic Google Drive backups
  • Reconcile Monthly: Reconcile bank accounts monthly
  • Review Reports: Check financial reports regularly
  • Keep Records: Maintain supporting documents
  • User Permissions: Assign appropriate roles to users

Security Tips

  • Enable 2FA: Set up Two-Factor Authentication for all Owner/Accountant accounts
  • Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords of at least 12 characters
  • Save Backup Codes: Store 2FA backup codes in a secure location
  • Regular Logout: Log out when finished, especially on shared devices
  • Review Access: Periodically review which users have access to your business

Backup Tips

  • Enable Auto-Backup: Turn on automatic nightly backups to Google Drive
  • Backup Before Changes: Create a manual backup before major data changes
  • Verify Backups: Periodically check your Google Drive to confirm backups are running
  • Keep Multiple Copies: Don't delete old backups too quickly
  • Export Monthly: Download a local copy of your data each month

Tax Compliance Tips

  • TIN Required: Always add TIN for customers/vendors
  • VAT Basis: Choose accrual or cash basis consistently
  • WHT Certificates: Issue certificates when WHT is deducted
  • Filing Deadlines: Set reminders for tax filing due dates
  • Documentation: Keep all tax-related documents

Invoice Tips

  • Add Customers First: Create customers before creating invoices
  • Complete Details: Add customer TIN and address for professional invoices
  • Item Descriptions: Use clear, detailed descriptions for invoice items
  • Check Calculations: Review calculated totals before saving
  • Payment Reminders: Use recurring invoices for regular clients

AI Features Tips

  • Start with High Confidence: Set confidence threshold to 80%+ initially, then lower as AI learns
  • Review Regularly: Check AI predictions weekly to catch any issues early
  • Correct Mistakes: When AI makes errors, correct them - this helps the model improve
  • Use Fraud Detection: Run fraud scans monthly, especially before closing periods
  • Generate Reports: Use AI reports for quick executive summaries for stakeholders
  • Monitor Anomalies: Enable anomaly alerts to catch unusual transactions in real-time
  • Payment Predictions: Use predictions to prioritize collection efforts on high-risk invoices
  • Cash Flow Forecasting: Review forecasts weekly to plan for cash needs