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

# Capture invoices & bills

> Step-by-step technical guide to capture invoices and bills from accounting systems using the Maesn Unified API.

## 5 steps to implement capturing of invoices

<Steps>
  <Step title="Realize the 'sync contacts' use case" titleSize="h3">
    Start by implementing the [synchronize contacts](/use-cases/sync-contacts) use case to ensure the customers and/or suppliers across your database and your user’s accounting platform are in sync.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve chart of accounts" titleSize="h3">
    You will usually need to specify a general ledger account for the captured document. Fetch it from the user's accounting platform by calling the GET [/accounts](/api-reference/accounting-endpoints/accounts/get-accounts) endpoint.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve tax rates (optional)" titleSize="h3">
    Call the GET [/taxRates](/api-reference/accounting-endpoints/taxrates/get-tax-rates) endpoint to fetch the tax rates or tax codes available in in the accounting platform.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement a trigger to upload the documents" titleSize="h3">
    Decide when to transfer invoices to your user’s accounting platform. It could be a button within your application's frontend, listening for a specific event or according to a schedule (e.g. nightly).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the invoice or bill" titleSize="h3">
    Upload the document and complimentary data to your user's accounting platform by calling POST [/bookingProposals](/api-reference/accounting-endpoints/bookingproposals/create-booking-proposal).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>Want to create a new invoice or bill? You are likely looking for the [create invoice](/use-cases/create-invoices) use case</Tip>