What Billfetch collects from Starling
When you connect, Billfetch finds the Starling accounts your token can see. Each one becomes an account in Billfetch with its currency, ready to assign to the right business.
Billfetch then collects settled transactions for each account: amount, direction (in or out), counterparty name and reference. Pending and declined transactions aren’t recorded; they appear once Starling settles them. That keeps your figures stable, since a settled transaction doesn’t change afterwards.
Those bank lines are what the rest of Billfetch works from:
- Payments are matched to documents. A supplier invoice or receipt collected from email, Gmail, Telegram or an upload is matched to the Starling payment that settled it.
- Marketplace payouts are explained. Deposits from Etsy, eBay or Shopify are matched to the payout records from those connections.
- The missing list stays accurate. A Starling payment with no invoice is flagged, so you can chase the document or mark why there isn’t one.
How to connect Starling
- In the Starling developer portal, create a Personal Access Token linked to your account.
- Give it read-only scopes for accounts, balance and transactions.
- In Billfetch, open Sources, select Add connection and choose Starling Bank.
- Paste the token and select Connect Starling.
Billfetch checks the token before saving it, then stores it encrypted. If the token is revoked or replaced, use Reconnect on the card and paste the new one.
How often it syncs
On first connection Billfetch collects about the last 12 months. After that, connected sources are checked automatically about every half hour, and Sync now on the card fetches the latest straight away. Each sync starts where the last one stopped, with a small overlap, so nothing is missed or recorded twice.
Prefer a statement file?
You don’t have to use the token. Download a CSV statement from Starling and upload it under Sources: Billfetch recognises the Starling format and maps the columns for you. It’s also the way to add history older than 12 months.
What it doesn’t do
- It can’t make payments or change anything in your Starling account.
- It isn’t an Open Banking connection; it uses the token you create.
- It doesn’t send a bank feed to your accounting software or submit anything to HMRC.
Frequently asked questions
Can Billfetch make payments from my Starling account?
No. The token you create only has read scopes for accounts, balance and transactions. It can't move money.
Does it work with a sole trader or limited company account?
Starling issues personal access tokens for the account holder you're signed in as, including business accounts. Create the token for the account you want to connect.
Why isn't today's card payment showing yet?
Billfetch records settled transactions only. Pending card payments appear once Starling settles them, so amounts don't change after they're recorded.
Can I add older history?
On connection Billfetch collects about the last 12 months. For anything older, upload a Starling CSV statement; Billfetch recognises the Starling format.
Starling Bank is a trademark of Starling Bank Limited. Billfetch is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Starling Bank.