Short answer: the accounting side of a move to Odoo can go live quickly, and you can switch at any point in the year, not just on 1 January. The opening balance and all open items always transfer. Historical entries can transfer too, but that means loading a larger dataset. How long the whole project takes depends mainly on which other Odoo apps are being set up at the same time.
Why businesses switch
Two reasons come up again and again:
- Exact Online becomes too expensive. Every extra module or user raises the subscription.
- Twinfield can no longer keep pace. It is a strong accounting package, but it is only an accounting package.
Behind both is the same aim: one integrated system. Sales, purchasing, inventory, projects and accounting in one place, instead of separate packages linked by integrations. Odoo grows with the business. It does not stop at accounting.
What transfers to Odoo
- Always: the opening balance and all open items, such as receivables, payables and anything else still outstanding.
- Optionally: historical entries. This is possible, but it means loading a larger dataset.
- Tools: migration modules for Exact and Twinfield already exist and automate much of the transfer.
How long does it take?
The accounting itself can be up and running in Odoo quickly. You can switch at any time, so there is no need to wait for a new financial year. How long the overall project takes depends on what else is being set up: sales, purchasing, inventory, projects and the integrations between them.
What often goes wrong
- Not giving the project enough time. A switch is not something you can fit in alongside the day-to-day work.
- Poor data in the old package. Whatever is wrong there will be wrong in Odoo too. Cleaning up before the switch saves a lot of work afterwards.
Your part
The business provides two things: data from the old package, and knowledge of how its processes really work. That knowledge is essential during configuration. We make sure the accounting side is right and test every process against Odoo.
What to expect after the switch
To be honest, things take more time at first, because everyone has to get used to the new system. After that, people find it works better for them. Odoo is easy to work with: from a report, you click straight through to the entry and the invoice behind it.
What does a switch cost?
That depends on the whole implementation: which apps, how much data and which integrations. So we cannot quote a fixed price. We give an estimate during an introductory call.
And the old records?
Dutch law requires you to keep your records for seven years. So make sure you have a complete export or database dump from the old package before the subscription ends. That way everything stays available, even after you stop using the old package.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to switch on 1 January?
No. You can switch to Odoo at any time. The opening balance and open items transfer, so the accounting simply carries on.
Do historical entries transfer?
They can. By default, the opening balance and all open items transfer. If you also want the history, a larger dataset has to be loaded.
What is the biggest pitfall when switching?
Not giving the project enough time, and bringing poor-quality data across from the old package. Both can be avoided with good preparation.
What do we do with our records in Exact or Twinfield?
Make a complete export before the subscription ends. That way you meet the seven-year retention requirement.