Fondo Install & Auth
Overview
Set up Fondo for automated startup bookkeeping, tax filing, and R&D tax credits. Fondo is a managed platform (not an API-first service) that integrates with payroll providers, banks, and expense tools. Configuration happens through the Fondo dashboard and OAuth connections.
Prerequisites
- US-incorporated startup (C-corp or LLC)
- Fondo account at fondo.com
- Active payroll provider (Gusto, Rippling, ADP, etc.)
- Business bank account
Instructions
Step 1: Create Fondo Account
- Sign up at fondo.com
- Select your plan: TaxPass (bookkeeping + taxes + R&D credits)
- Complete company profile (EIN, incorporation date, state)
Step 2: Connect Payroll Provider
| Provider |
Connection Type |
Data Synced |
| Gusto |
OAuth 2.0 |
Payroll runs, employee data, tax filings |
| Rippling |
OAuth 2.0 |
Payroll, benefits, headcount |
| ADP |
API key |
Payroll summaries, tax deposits |
| Justworks |
OAuth 2.0 |
PEO payroll, contractor payments |
| QuickBooks Payroll |
OAuth 2.0 |
Payroll journal entries |
| Paychex |
Manual upload |
Pay stubs, tax forms |
Navigate to Fondo Dashboard > Integrations > Connect Payroll and authorize.
Step 3: Connect Bank Accounts
Fondo Dashboard > Integrations > Banking
→ Connect via Plaid (most banks)
→ Or manual CSV upload for unsupported banks
→ Mercury, SVB, Brex, Chase all supported via Plaid
Step 4: Connect Expense Tools
| Tool |
What It Provides |
| Brex |
Corporate card transactions |
| Ramp |
Card spend, reimbursements |
| Expensify |
Receipt data, categorized expenses |
| Bill.com |
AP/AR, vendor payments |
| Stripe |
Revenue data, payouts |
Step 5: Verify Connection
After connecting, verify in Dashboard > Integrations:
- Green check = connected and syncing
- Yellow warning = needs re-authorization
- Red X = connection failed, re-connect needed
Error Handling
| Issue |
Cause |
Solution |
| OAuth expired |
Token expiry (90 days typical) |
Re-authorize in Dashboard > Integrations |
| Missing transactions |
Bank feed lag |
Wait 24h or upload CSV manually |
| Duplicate entries |
Multiple connections to same account |
Remove duplicate connection |
| Sync paused |
Provider API change |
Contact Fondo support |
Resources
Next Steps
After setup, proceed to fondo-hello-world to verify your first financial sync.
1---2name: fondo-install-auth3description: Set up Fondo account and configure integrations with Gusto, QuickBooks, and bank accounts for automated startup bookkeeping and R&D tax credits. Trigger: "setup fondo", "fondo account", "fondo integrations", "connect fondo".4license: MIT5---6
7# Fondo Install & Auth
8
9## Overview
10
11Set up Fondo for automated startup bookkeeping, tax filing, and R&D tax credits. Fondo is a managed platform (not an API-first service) that integrates with payroll providers, banks, and expense tools. Configuration happens through the Fondo dashboard and OAuth connections.
12
13## Prerequisites
14
15- US-incorporated startup (C-corp or LLC)
16- Fondo account at [fondo.com](https://fondo.com)
17- Active payroll provider (Gusto, Rippling, ADP, etc.)
18- Business bank account
19
20## Instructions
21
22### Step 1: Create Fondo Account
23
241. Sign up at [fondo.com](https://fondo.com)
252. Select your plan: **TaxPass** (bookkeeping + taxes + R&D credits)
263. Complete company profile (EIN, incorporation date, state)
27
28### Step 2: Connect Payroll Provider
29
30| Provider | Connection Type | Data Synced |
31|----------|----------------|-------------|
32| Gusto | OAuth 2.0 | Payroll runs, employee data, tax filings |
33| Rippling | OAuth 2.0 | Payroll, benefits, headcount |
34| ADP | API key | Payroll summaries, tax deposits |
35| Justworks | OAuth 2.0 | PEO payroll, contractor payments |
36| QuickBooks Payroll | OAuth 2.0 | Payroll journal entries |
37| Paychex | Manual upload | Pay stubs, tax forms |
38
39Navigate to Fondo Dashboard > Integrations > Connect Payroll and authorize.
40
41### Step 3: Connect Bank Accounts
42
43```
44Fondo Dashboard > Integrations > Banking
45 → Connect via Plaid (most banks)
46 → Or manual CSV upload for unsupported banks
47 → Mercury, SVB, Brex, Chase all supported via Plaid
48```
49
50### Step 4: Connect Expense Tools
51
52| Tool | What It Provides |
53|------|------------------|
54| Brex | Corporate card transactions |
55| Ramp | Card spend, reimbursements |
56| Expensify | Receipt data, categorized expenses |
57| Bill.com | AP/AR, vendor payments |
58| Stripe | Revenue data, payouts |
59
60### Step 5: Verify Connection
61
62After connecting, verify in Dashboard > Integrations:
63- Green check = connected and syncing
64- Yellow warning = needs re-authorization
65- Red X = connection failed, re-connect needed
66
67## Error Handling
68
69| Issue | Cause | Solution |
70|-------|-------|----------|
71| OAuth expired | Token expiry (90 days typical) | Re-authorize in Dashboard > Integrations |
72| Missing transactions | Bank feed lag | Wait 24h or upload CSV manually |
73| Duplicate entries | Multiple connections to same account | Remove duplicate connection |
74| Sync paused | Provider API change | Contact Fondo support |
75
76## Resources
77
78- [Fondo](https://fondo.com)
79- [Fondo R&D Credits FAQ](https://fondo.com/blog/fondo-rd-credits-faq)
80- [TaxPass Overview](https://fondo.com/taxpass)
81
82## Next Steps
83
84After setup, proceed to `fondo-hello-world` to verify your first financial sync.
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