Set up a GoCardless integration

This article explains how to connect FreeAgent to GoCardless so you can take online payments from your customers.

Benefits of using GoCardless 

Connecting FreeAgent to GoCardless allows you to set up Direct Debit mandates with your customers and take one-off or recurring payments from them automatically using the mandate. You can also take instant bank payments using online banking, which avoids card transaction fees (GoCardless fees still apply) and allows payees to verify their payment via their banking app or online banking, rather than needing to enter card details.

If you set up a Direct Debit mandate, you can choose to receive payments on the invoice date, payment due date or when manually triggered, to streamline the payment process and help you get paid faster. If you have repeat customers, you can create recurring invoice profiles and select the automatic email feature to fully automate the process of sending the invoice and taking the payment.

You can enable the auto-reconciliation feature to automatically reconcile payments for invoices created in FreeAgent and GoCardless charges in your FreeAgent account. Payments that come into your GoCardless account for invoices you’ve sent outside of FreeAgent will also be automatically created in the GoCardless bank account but will remain unexplained for you to categorise.

How to connect FreeAgent with GoCardless

Navigate to the drop-down menu under your business name and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Select 'Get started' in the 'GoCardless' section.

Select ‘Connect with GoCardless’.

If you've never used GoCardless before, you can create a new account before signing in. If you already have a GoCardless account, sign in to connect your GoCardless account to FreeAgent.

Once you’re signed in, confirm the connection between FreeAgent and GoCardless to enable the integration.

Automatically reconcile GoCardless payments

You can select invoices created in FreeAgent to be automatically marked as paid when GoCardless pays the money into your bank account. This will also automatically reconcile the fees that GoCardless issues to you each time you use the service.

If there are payments that come into your GoCardless account for invoices you’ve sent outside of FreeAgent, these transactions will also be automatically created in the GoCardless bank account but will remain unexplained for you to categorise.

To enable the auto-reconciliation of FreeAgent invoices, select the GBP bank account that the funds will be paid into from the drop-down menu.

Find out how the GoCardless integration works.

How to disconnect GoCardless from FreeAgent

Navigate to the drop-down menu under your business name and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Select 'Manage' in the 'GoCardless' section.

Select ‘Disconnect GoCardless’.

Select ‘Yes, disconnect GoCardless’ to complete the process.