Key concepts

This page covers the concepts you’ll encounter throughout Layer’s documentation. If you’d rather start building, head to the Quickstart.

​

Platforms and businesses

Layer uses two key terms to describe who’s who in an integration:

• Platforms are Layer’s direct customers — software companies that integrate Layer to offer accounting features. You are a Platform.
• Businesses are your end users — the SMBs that use your product and the embedded accounting capabilities Layer powers.

A single Platform serves many Businesses, each with its own isolated accounting data.

​

The general ledger

When you onboard a Business, Layer provisions an associated General Ledger — the double-entry system of record where all of that Business’s accounting data lives. Every transaction, invoice, bill, and journal entry flows into the general ledger, which is what makes real-time financial reporting possible without manual bookkeeping.

​

Ways to integrate

There are two ways to surface accounting features in your product. Either can deliver any capability, and most platforms use a mix.

• Embedded Components — Layer’s suite of pre-built, white-labeled React UI components you drop into your frontend for the fastest path to launch. See Embedding UI components.
• API — build your own accounting UIs directly on top of the Layer API for full control of the experience. See the API Reference.

​

Accounting packages

Layer supports everything from a simple cashflow visualization to a complete monthly bookkeeping service. The right set of features depends on your product and your SMBs; your Layer contact can help you choose. Common packages:

• Core Accounting — cash-based accounting to track profitability and prepare for taxes. SMBs import revenue and bank data, categorize and reconcile transactions, upload receipts, and view easy-to-understand profitability reports.
• Advanced Accounting — a fuller experience supporting both cash and accrual basis, plus richer reports like the Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. SMBs can manage the general ledger directly.
• Full-Service Bookkeeping — Layer’s bookkeeping team organizes transactions and closes the books each month. SMBs only answer questions about their activity; Layer handles the rest.

​

Next steps