ERP API Integration for Finance Teams: A Practical Guide

When you hear the term "ERP API integration," it might sound like pure R2D2 speak. But really, the idea is pretty straightforward, especially if you look at it from a finance perspective.hen you hear the term “ERP API integration,” it might sound like pure R2D2 speak. But really, the idea is pretty straightforward, especially if you look at it from a finance perspective.

What is ERP API integration? (In business terms)

At its heart, ERP API integration is simply a way to connect your ERP system with other tools and workflows, so that data can move between systems on its own. No more manual downloads, uploads, or endless copy-pasting in Excel.

Breaking it down:

• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): This is the software where your company handles financials, inventory, sales orders, accounts payable/receivable, and more. Examples include TOTVS, SAP Business One, Oracle NetSuite, and Sage Interaact.
• API (Application Programming Interface): Think of this as a digital “messenger” that lets two systems share data securely and automatically.
• Integration: This is the process of setting up the connection, so data goes where you need it, whether that’s a dashboard, a report, or another internal system.

A simple analogy for finance teams:

Picture your ERP as a locked filing cabinet packed with financial information.

Before APIs, if you needed data, you’d have to open the drawer (manually export reports), copy the pages (clean up and reformat in Excel), and then carry them to your next meeting (upload into a dashboard or email them).

With an API integration, it’s like having a secure, automated courier who delivers exactly the right data from the cabinet to wherever it’s needed: daily, hourly, or even in real time.

Why finance teams should care:

For finance teams, ERP API integration brings several benefits:

• Less manual work: You can skip the repetitive task of downloading reports or chasing IT for data extracts.
• Fewer errors: Automation helps cut down on mistakes from manual data entry.
• Faster reporting: Updates can happen in real time or on a set schedule, so you’re not stuck in a mad dash at the end of the month.
• More reliable data: Pull information straight from the ERP, your main source of truth.

You don’t have to be a developer to benefit from this. What matters is knowing what data you need, where it lives in your ERP, and how you’d like it to flow into your finance processes.

Why ERP API integration matters for finance teams today (+ 3 common challenges)

Finance teams today are expected to do more than just report the numbers. Quick, reliable insights are essential for decision-making. The challenge? Data often gets trapped inside the ERP, making it tough to pull out quickly and accurately.

The business case: Speed, accuracy, and less manual work

In most companies in scale mode, finance teams spend hours each month:

• Exporting data from the ERP
• Cleaning and formatting in Excel
• Re-uploading or pasting into reports, dashboards, or other systems

This manual work slows down your reporting, raises the risk of errors, and keeps your team from focusing on analysis or strategy.

ERP API integration changes this by allowing data to flow automatically—turning what used to take days into a process that runs in minutes.

Top 3 challenges finance teams face with ERP API integration

Of course, making this shift isn’t always easy. Here are some common hurdles:

1. Limited IT support

Finance teams often rely on IT departments that are already stretched thin. This can mean long waits, or projects that never get off the ground.

2. Legacy ERP limitations

Many ERPs (like older versions of SAP or TOTVS) weren’t designed with open APIs. Documentation can be sparse, and even simple integrations might feel overwhelming.

3. Lack of internal technical knowledge

Most finance pros aren’t developers. Terms like API endpoints, authentication tokens, or data schemas might seem completely foreign, so knowing where to start can be tough.

The good news: It’s getting easier

Thanks to no-code and low-code integration tools, finance teams don’t have to wait for IT or hire developers just to get started.

Understanding the business value, and being aware of these challenges, is a great first step.

Best practices and common pitfalls in ERP API integration

Once you decide to move forward with ERP API integration, the next challenge is making it happen. Without clear direction, projects can drag on, break down, or miss the mark entirely.

Here are some tips for getting it right, and a few mistakes to watch out for.

Focus on one process first

Trying to automate everything in one go can be frustrating. Start with a single, high-impact process—like automating your daily cash position report or pulling accounts receivable aging data. Small wins help build confidence and support.

Map your data before you build anything

Before you log into a tool or ask IT for help, take time to answer:

• What data do we need from the ERP?
• Where is it located (which module, which fields)?
• How do we want to use this data (dashboard, Excel, reporting)?

Skipping this step is a quick way to end up with broken or useless integrations.

Don’t ignore error handling

APIs aren’t flawless. Network hiccups, ERP downtime, or authentication issues can break automations.

Set up basic checks or alerts so you’ll know if data didn’t come through as planned, especially during important times like month-end close.

Keep security front and center

When you’re moving financial data via API, you’re dealing with sensitive information. Make sure to:

• Store access tokens securely
• Limit access to authorized team members
• Follow your company’s data governance and IT security policies

Overlooking this can create serious risks, even for smaller automations.

Document everything—even small projects

Finance teams sometimes depend on a single “internal champion” who knows how the integration works. If that person leaves, undocumented workflows can become a real headache.

At minimum, keep track of:

• The API endpoints you’re using
• The data fields being pulled or pushed
• How often the integration runs
• Who owns the process internally

This will save you time and frustration down the road.

Finance use cases: What you can automate with ERP APIs

ERP API integration may sound technical, but for finance teams, it’s really about solving everyday challenges. Here are a few areas where finance teams are already seeing big improvements.

Cash flow monitoring

Instead of waiting until the end of the day (or the month) to check cash positions, finance teams can pull real-time bank balances and receivables data straight from the ERP. This helps with quicker decisions around payments, funding, or collections.

Accounts receivable follow-up

With API access to invoice aging and payment status, teams can automate reminders, prioritize high-risk overdue accounts, or feed AR data into dashboards for better visibility.

Accounts payable reporting

Want to see which vendor payments are coming due, or which invoices are stuck in approval? APIs let you pull live AP data without running manual ERP reports.

Revenue and sales reporting

Finance teams can automate the collection of sales order and revenue data by region, customer, or business unit—making monthly revenue tracking much faster and more accurate.

Journal entry automation

For recurring, predictable entries—like monthly accruals or intercompany allocations—some teams use APIs to push journal entries directly into the ERP, cutting down on manual entry and mistakes.

Month-end close metrics

Want to track your progress on closing the books? APIs can help you monitor task completion, reconciliation status, or outstanding adjustments, feeding progress dashboards that leadership can see at a glance.

The takeaway:

You don’t need to automate everything on day one. Pick the workflow that takes up the most time (or causes the biggest headaches)and start with that.

How to get started with ERP API integration (without heavy IT involvement)

One of the biggest challenges for finance teams is feeling like ERP API integration is an “IT project” that will take forever. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here’s a simple, low-stress roadmap to help you get started, even if you have limited technical support.

1. Define the business problem first

Write down, in plain terms:

• What’s the manual process you want to get rid of?
• What data do you need?
• How often do you need it? (Daily, weekly, real-time?)

Clear goals on the business side make the technical part much easier later.

2. Talk to your ERP vendor or consultant

Even if your IT resources are limited, reach out to your ERP provider or consultant to check:

• Which APIs your ERP offers
• Whether you can read and write data
• If there are any existing connectors or recommended tools

This helps you avoid wasting time trying to integrate with something that’s not available.

3. Choose no-code or low-code tools

Platforms made for connecting to ERPs with minimal coding (sometimes called iPaaS tools or integration platforms) help bridge the gap between finance and IT.

Many of these tools include ready-made ERP connectors, drag-and-drop interfaces, and simple scheduling, plus AI can make the connection for you.

4. Run a small pilot

Choose one straightforward process. For example:

• Automate a daily AR aging report
• Sync open sales orders
• Update cash balances

Test it for a few weeks. Watch for issues. Gather feedback. This helps build momentum internally.

5. Document and share results

When your pilot works, share the wins: time saved, fewer errors, faster reporting.

This helps make the case for expanding automation—and builds trust with leadership and IT.

Final thought: Start small, prove value, then scale

ERP API integration doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By focusing on one business challenge at a time, using the right tools, and making the most of your available resources, finance teams can take the lead on automation, without long waits for IT support.

In today’s finance world, quick, small wins with automation are often more valuable than waiting for a perfect, large-scale project that never materializes. See how Jusbrasil’s FP&A team got 220% ROI in one month by automating finance workflows.