> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.adorabl.info/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment methods

> Configure the payment methods available on AP and AR payments and link each to eligible cash GL accounts.

**Payment methods** control which methods (ACH, wire, credit card, cash, check, or custom) users can select when recording outgoing or incoming payments — and which cash GL accounts each method can post to.

Use this screen to standardize how payments are captured across your organization, restrict cash posting to approved accounts, and enable or disable methods without changing code.

## Prerequisites

* [System accounts](https://www.adorabl.info/books/setup/system-accounts.md) mapped so cash and clearing accounts exist in the chart of accounts.
* [Segments](https://www.adorabl.info/books/setup/chart-of-accounts-setup.md) complete, with your cash and asset accounts marked **posting**.

## Open payment methods

**1. Navigate**

1. Open **Settings** → **Finance**.
2. Under **AR and AP automation**, click **Payment methods**.

## Seeded methods

Every organization starts with five system-defined methods:

| Method | Code | Default scope |
| - | - | - |
| ACH | `ach` | AP and AR |
| Wire | `wire` | AP and AR |
| Credit card | `card` | AP and AR |
| Cash | `cash` | AP and AR |
| Check | `check` | AP and AR |

System-defined methods can be edited or deactivated but cannot be deleted.

## Method fields

| Field | Purpose |
| - | - |
| **Payment method** | Display name shown in the method picker on payment screens |
| **Code** | Stable lowercase key stored on payment records and used by integrations |
| **Description** | Optional short note explaining when to use the method |
| **Accounts payable** | Makes the method available on outgoing (AP) payments |
| **Accounts receivable** | Makes the method available on incoming (AR) payments |
| **Active** | When off, the method is hidden from payment screens but preserved on historical records |
| **Eligible cash accounts** | Cash or asset GL accounts users may post to when this method is selected |

> [!NOTE]
>
> A method must have at least one of **Accounts payable** or **Accounts receivable** enabled.

## Edit a method

**1. Open the method**

Click the pencil icon next to the method you want to update.

**2. Update fields**

Change the name, code, description, or scope.

Toggle **Active** off to retire a method — historical payments keep their original method.

**3. Manage eligible cash accounts**

Under **Eligible cash accounts**, click **Add cash account** and pick a GL account for each cash or clearing account this method is allowed to post to.

Only detail (posting) accounts of type **Asset** appear in the picker.

**4. Save**

Click the check icon to save. The change applies immediately to new payments.

## Add a custom method

**1. Fill the form**

Under **Add a payment method**, enter a **Payment method** name, a lowercase **Code**, and an optional **Description**.

**2. Choose scope**

Check **Accounts payable**, **Accounts receivable**, or both.

**3. Add**

Click **Add**. The method appears in the list above where you can link cash accounts.

> [!TIP]
>
> Use a stable **Code** — integrations and reports key off this value. Once payments reference it, changing the code can break downstream systems.

## Delete a method

Custom methods can be deleted only when they are not system-defined and have never been used. If a method appears with an **In use** badge, deactivate it instead.

## How eligibility affects payments

When a user records an outgoing or incoming payment:

1. The **Method** dropdown shows only methods that are **Active** and scoped to that direction (AP or AR).
2. The **Cash account** dropdown shows only the cash accounts linked to the selected method.
3. Save is blocked if the chosen cash account is no longer eligible for the method — for example, after the link was removed.

This keeps ACH deposits pointed at your operating bank, card settlements at the merchant clearing account, and cash payments at a petty cash account without relying on user memory.

> [!NOTE]
>
> If a linked cash account is already used by an existing payment, its link cannot be removed. Deactivate the method or reassign historical payments first.

## Related guides

> **[Incoming payments](https://www.adorabl.info/accounts-receivable/incoming-payments.md)**
>
> Record customer receipts against open invoices.

> **[Outgoing payments](https://www.adorabl.info/accounts-payable/outgoing-payments.md)**
>
> Record supplier payments against open bills.

> **[System accounts](https://www.adorabl.info/books/setup/system-accounts.md)**
>
> Configure the GL control accounts payments post through.

> **[Finance setup](https://www.adorabl.info/books/setup/finance-setup.md)**
>
> Full finance setup checklist.


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