---
title: "Exact Online deferral error for Administrators - Payhawk Help Center"
slug: "failed-to-export-into-exact-online-deferred-costs-cannot-be-booked"
description: "Fix the \"Deferred costs cannot be booked\" export error. Set up deferred costs in Exact Online financial settings and journal entry pages, then export again."
updated: 2026-03-16T14:06:38Z
published: 2026-03-16T14:06:38Z
canonical: "payhawk.com/failed-to-export-into-exact-online-deferred-costs-cannot-be-booked"
---

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

# Failed to export into Exact Online. Deferred costs cannot be booked.

## Error message

```plaintext
Failed to export expense. Deferred costs cannot be booked. Deferred cost settings are missing in Exact Online.
```

## Affected ERP integrations

- Exact Online

## Cause

This error occurs when you're attempting to export an expense that involves deferred costs, but the deferred cost functionality has not been properly configured in your Exact Online account.

## Solution

To resolve this issue:

1. Enable company settings.
  1. In Exact Online, go to **Company name** > **Settings** and select the **Financial** tab.
  2. In the **G/L Accounts: Links and Journals** section, specify the **Deferred revenue**, which also applies to deferred costs.
  3. In the **General** section, select the **Deferred revenue/costs Calculation Method**.
  4. Click **Save**.
2. Enable settings on your journal entry pages.
  1. Go to **Financial** > **Entries & G/L Accounts** > **Entries** > **Create**.
  2. Under **Purchase**, select a journal hyperlink to create a purchase entry.
  3. Click the **settings** icon and click **Customise**.
  4. Select the **Deferred cost** check box.
  5. Click **Save**. The **From** and **To** date fields will now be visible, and you’ll be able to enter deferred cost information.
  6. Once these settings are configured in Exact Online, return to Payhawk and attempt to export the expense again. The export must now be successful.