## Rule Types Kick has four standard Rule Types that run at different times and for different purposes: 1. **Transactions, Transfer, and Split Rules** run when transactions are first synced or a new Rule is created. 2. **Accounting Rules** run every time a transaction is updated or recategorized. ### Transactions Rules Transactions Rules run when new transactions sync into Kick or when a new Transactions Rule is created. They’re ideal for setting simple, proactive Rules to categorize transactions or move them to a different entity - including your Personal entity. Transactions Rules currently support the following actions: - **Change Category** – Automatically apply a specific category when certain conditions are met. - **Move to a different Entity** – Reassign transactions to a different Business entity or move between Business and Personal. - **Assign Classes** – After creating custom Classes (available on Plus), assign them to transactions. - **Assign Vendors or Customers** – Assign a Vendor or Customer to each transaction based on the conditions you set, automating Revenue and Expense insights. - **Add Memos** – Add additional context to transactions for your own records or for your CPA come tax time. **Examples:** - Recategorize all **Amazon** transactions from _Supplies & Equipment_ to _Goods & Materials_. - Move all **Apple** transactions from one Business entity to another and categorize as _Computers_. Rules are especially helpful if you’re using **Custom Categories**, since these categories are not automatically assigned by Kick’s categorization model. Creating a Rule ensures that your Custom Categories are automatically applied to the right transactions going forward. ### Accounting Rules Accounting Rules run every time a transaction is updated or recategorized. These Rules are ideal for ensuring your transactions are consistently mapped to the correct account in your **Chart of Accounts (CoA)**. **Examples:** 1. Map _Amazon_ transactions to COGS on my Cash ledger and Inventory on my Accrual ledger, and auto-confirm (post without my review) to the Accrual ledger. 2. Map _Sponsorship Income_ over $5,000 to Revenue on my Cash ledger and Deferred Revenue on my Accrual ledger. Do not auto-confirm. Selecting **auto-confirm** for Accrual ledger rules will automatically post transactions that meet the rule conditions to your Accrual ledger. Accrual rules without auto-confirm enabled will be surfaced in an accrual task for your review. Review your Accounting rule application by viewing both the Cash and Accrual ledger columns on the Transactions tab using Views. #### Kick Rules Kick Rules apply to transactions that aren’t affected by any custom Accounting Rules. They serve as the [default mapping](https://docs.kick.co/accountants/bookkeeping-workflows/categorization/categories-vs-general-ledger) between your transaction categories and the Chart of Accounts. If no Accounting Rule is triggered, Kick will use these built-in Rules to assign transactions to the appropriate accounts. ### Transfer Rules Transfer Rules run automatically when new transactions sync into Kick or when you create a new rule. They let you set custom conditions to match transfers between accounts, ensuring both sides of the transaction are properly linked. **Example:** - Match _Stripe Payouts_ from Stripe to _Stripe Deposits_ into Mercury 8523. ### Split Rules Split Rules run automatically when new transactions sync into Kick or when you create a new rule. They let you set custom conditions to split transactions across categories or entities based on percentage or amount. **Examples:** - Split _Anthem Blue Cross_ transactions between _Health Insurance_ and _Fees_ by Amount. - Split my _Kick Bookkeeping_ transactions evenly across my 3 business entities by percentage. - Move 50% of my _Travel_ expenses to _Personal_. ## Rule Groups Most accounting rule engines rely on a long, disorganized list of Rules that are hard to manage at scale. Kick breaks this pattern with **Rule Groups**—a system that makes it simple to organize and prioritize your Rules with full transparency. To create a Rule Group, click **Add rule group** in the top right corner of the Rules tab. To rename an existing group, including the default **General Rule Group**, click the three dots next to the group name and select **Edit**. To change priority, just drag and drop your Rule Groups into the order you want—so you always know exactly how Rules will be applied. ## Editing Rules ### Editing a Rule To edit a Rule, hover over it and click the three dots (`⋯`) at the far right of the row. From the dropdown menu, select **Edit**. This opens the Rule details so you can update the Conditions or Actions. ### Disabling a Rule To temporarily stop a Rule from running, click the three dots (`⋯`) and select **Disable**. Disabled Rules remain in your list but won’t apply to future transactions until re-enabled. ### Deleting a Rule To permanently remove a Rule, use the same `⋯` menu and choose **Delete**. This action cannot be undone, so make sure you no longer need the Rule before deleting it. ### Rule Prioritization Rules are applied in order from top to bottom. You can drag and drop Rules to change their priority. ### Conflicting Rules If two or more Rules could apply to the same transaction, only the first matching Rule (based on priority) will run. Reorder or edit your Rules if one is unintentionally blocking another from applying.