# AccountingSettings Metadata Type in SFDX

> AccountingSettings is the org-level settings metadata type that enables Salesforce Accounting Subledger and governs global transaction journal generation and subledger consolidation behavior.

- Source: https://sfdxtalk.com/docs/metadata/accounting-settings-metadata-type/
- Category: Metadata
- Applies to: Salesforce Winter '27 (API version 68.0)
- Level: beginner
- Published: 2026-11-12
- Last updated: 2026-11-12
- Publisher: SFDX Talk Editorial (unofficial; not affiliated with or endorsed by Salesforce)
- License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

## Architectural Overview

The `AccountingSettings` metadata type manages org-wide preferences and feature switches for Salesforce Accounting Subledger. Before an architect can deploy `AccountingModelConfig` or `AccountingFieldMapping` components—or build Record-Triggered Flows that interact with `TransactionJournal` and `LedgerEntry` objects—the target environment must have `AccountingSettings` enabled.

In scratch org definitions (`project-scratch-def.json`) and CI/CD pipelines, `AccountingSettings` serves as the foundational dependency that unlocks subledger schema objects in the org database.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A["Accounting.settings-meta.xml"] --> B["Enables Accounting Subledger Schema"]
    B --> C["Unlocks TransactionJournal & LedgerEntry"]
    C --> D["Allows AccountingModelConfig Deployment"]
    D --> E["Allows AccountingFieldMapping Deployment"]
```

## Directory and File Conventions

Like all `*Settings` metadata types in Salesforce DX, `AccountingSettings` uses the `Settings` metadata type name in `package.xml` with member name `Accounting`.

| Property | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Metadata Type Name** | `Settings` (member: `Accounting`) / `AccountingSettings` |
| **SFDX Folder** | `force-app/main/default/settings/` |
| **File Name** | `Accounting.settings-meta.xml` |
| **Scratch Org Setting Key** | `accountingSettings` |

## Key Metadata Fields

The `AccountingSettings` XML payload contains the following top-level configuration flags in API version `68.0`:

| Field Name | Field Type | Required | Architectural Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| `enableAccountingSubledger` | `boolean` | No | Master toggle (`true`/`false`) that enables Accounting Subledger features and standard objects in the org. |
| `enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth` | `boolean` | No | Enables Accounting Subledger Growth edition capabilities, including multi-model support and advanced custom object mapping. |
| `enableShadowTransactionJournal` | `boolean` | No | Enables shadow or staging transaction journal generation for validation prior to final ledger posting. |

> [!NOTE]
> Enabling `enableAccountingSubledger` or `enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth` requires the corresponding Accounting Subledger add-on license in the target production org, sandbox, or scratch org definition.

## Declarative XML and Package Manifest Examples

Below is the declarative `Accounting.settings-meta.xml` file used to enable Accounting Subledger in an SFDX repository:

```xml title="force-app/main/default/settings/Accounting.settings-meta.xml"
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<AccountingSettings xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
    <enableAccountingSubledger>true</enableAccountingSubledger>
    <enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth>true</enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth>
</AccountingSettings>
```

### Scratch Org Definition (`config/project-scratch-def.json`)

When spinning up scratch orgs for automated testing, include `accountingSettings` under the `settings` node:

```json title="config/project-scratch-def.json"
{
  "orgName": "Subledger Architecture Scratch Org",
  "edition": "Enterprise",
  "features": ["AccountingSubledgerGrowth"],
  "settings": {
    "accountingSettings": {
      "enableAccountingSubledger": true,
      "enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth": true
    }
  }
}
```

### Package Manifest (`package.xml`)

```xml title="manifest/package.xml"
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Package xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
    <types>
        <members>Accounting</members>
        <name>Settings</name>
    </types>
    <version>68.0</version>
</Package>
```

## CLI Retrieval and Deployment Commands

Because `AccountingSettings` is a pure declarative settings component rather than a SOQL-queryable table, use the Salesforce CLI (`sf`) to retrieve and deploy it:

```bash
# Retrieve AccountingSettings from an authenticated org
sf project retrieve start --metadata Settings:Accounting

# Deploy AccountingSettings before deploying dependent subledger metadata
sf project deploy start --metadata Settings:Accounting
```

## Architect Best Practices and Gotchas

- **Staged CI/CD Deployment:** If your repository contains Apex classes, [Flows](/docs/metadata/flow-metadata-type/), or custom fields referencing `TransactionJournal` or `LedgerEntry`, deploy `Settings:Accounting` first (or ensure your scratch org definition enables it) so the platform provisions the standard subledger objects before compiling dependent metadata.
- **License Mismatch Errors:** Deploying `<enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth>true</enableAccountingSubledgerGrowth>` to a sandbox that only has the Starter license will fail with a `Required feature is not licensed` deployment error.

> [!TIP]
> After deploying `Settings:Accounting` for the first time, run `sf sobject describe --sobject TransactionJournal` to confirm that the subledger objects have been provisioned in your org schema.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does the AccountingSettings metadata type control in Salesforce?

AccountingSettings controls org-wide feature switches for Salesforce Accounting Subledger, including enabling subledger processing and transaction journal generation across supported clouds.

### How do I reference AccountingSettings in a package.xml manifest?

Like all org settings metadata types, reference it using the Settings type name and the Accounting member name in your package.xml file.

### Can I disable AccountingSubledger via AccountingSettings after records are created?

You can turn off scheduled generation jobs, but Salesforce restricts disabling core subledger features once accounting configurations and historical ledger entries exist in the org.

### Where is the AccountingSettings file stored in an SFDX project?

It is stored at force-app/main/default/settings/Accounting.settings-meta.xml in standard SFDX source format.

## Official References

- https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/api-metadata/references/meta-types/metadata-accountingsettings.md