Responding to data requests
An investor or partner has asked your company to share data through Verified Metrics. Each ask shows up as a data request — a clear, standing agreement that tells you exactly what's needed, by whom, and by when. This article walks you through how to find your requests and provide the data they ask for.
What is a data request?
A data request is a structured ask from an investor for one type of your company's financial data on a regular schedule. Instead of chasing you over email, the investor creates a request that spells out:
- What's needed — either your accounting data or your banking data
- How far back to cover — for example, the last 12 months
- How often — a new period each month
- A note — any extra context from the investor about what they're looking for
You fulfil a request by connecting a data source or uploading files — whichever works for you. Both options are fully supported, and you can mix them.
Where to find your data requests
Click Data Requests in the sidebar to open your requests. They're organised into two tabs:
- Active — requests you're currently expected to keep up to date, grouped by the investor who asked
- Closed — requests an investor has ended (kept for your reference)
Each request shows the data type, the schedule, a status badge, and the current period that's due.
Open a request to see its full details: who's asking, the coverage and schedule, the investor's note, and the current period you need to provide data for.
Two ways to provide data
For each request you can connect a data source and/or upload files. In most cases, connecting a data source will be the most convenient option — once it's connected, data flows automatically every period and you won't need to manually manage requests.
Option 1: Connect a data source (recommended)
- Open the request and click + Add data.
- Choose Connect data source.
- Pick your provider:
- Accounting — Xero, QuickBooks, or Zoho Books
- Banking — your bank, via Plaid
- Follow the secure sign-in steps to authorise the connection.
You only need to connect a data source once. After it's connected and the first period is complete, that source automatically provides data for every future period — no manual uploads needed.
Option 2: Upload files
If you'd rather share files directly, you can upload them instead.
- Open the request and click + Add data.
- Choose Upload files.
- Drag in your files, or click to browse. You can add more than one file.
What to provide depends on the request type:
- Accounting requests
- Chart of Accounts export
- Full Journal export covering the requested timeframe
- Banking requests
- Account balances
- Transaction history covering the requested timeframe
Note: Files can be up to 100 MB each. You can keep adding data across several sessions — there's no need to provide everything at once, and teammates can contribute too.
Marking a period complete
When you've added everything for the current period, confirm it so the investor knows the period is ready.
- Click Mark Complete.
- In the Mark Period Complete dialog, confirm that the data represents the full financial picture for that period.
- You'll see "Period marked as complete."
A few things to know:
- You can't mark a period complete until you've added at least one data source or file.
- You can select specific data sources to include and you can also exclude older/stale sources (e.g. ones that have been disconnected and cannot be recovered) from the request completion.
- The investor can see connected and uploaded data as soon as you add it — marking complete is your confirmation that the period is finished, not a gate that releases the data.
- Once you connect a data source and complete the first period, that set of sources is fixed for the request. Future periods are fulfilled automatically from those sources (see below).
What happens after the first period
After your first completed period, the request settles into a simple monthly rhythm:
- If the request is fulfilled by connected data sources and they stay connected, each new period completes automatically once the data is in — you don't have to do anything.
- If a period includes uploaded files, you'll confirm that period yourself with Mark Complete.
If a connected source ever disconnects, the request will flag for your attention so you can reconnect it.
If you can't fulfil a request
If a request asks for something you can't provide as specified — wrong data type, a timeframe you can't cover, or it's meant for someone else — you can reject it and tell the investor why.
- Open the request and click Reject request.
- In the Reject Request dialog, enter the reason (required).
- You'll see "Request rejected."
The request stays in your Active tab with a Rejected badge and your note, so the investor can read it and either adjust the request or replace it with a new one.
Reminders and deadlines
Each monthly period is due on the 15th of the following month — this leaves you time to close the previous month's books, which usually settle in the first or second week. The very first period after a request is created is due 10 days after the request is created, giving you time to get set up.
Verified Metrics emails everyone in your organisation reminders as the deadline approaches and shortly after, so a period doesn't slip by unnoticed. Each email links straight to the request.
FAQs
Do I have to connect my accounting or bank, or can I just upload files?
You can provide either or both - Connecting a data source is less work over time because it keeps the data current automatically, but uploading files is fully supported if you prefer or if Verified Metrics does not yet support your accounting software.
Will the investor see my data before I mark the period complete?
Yes. Connected data and uploaded files are visible to the investor as soon as you add it. Marking a period complete simply confirms it's the final picture for that period.
What if I disconnect a data source?
The request will be marked as Needs Attention and the source will show a Disconnected badge with a Reconnect option. Reconnect it to get the request healthy again.
Who in my company can respond to a request?
Anyone in your organisation. You can build up a period's data across multiple people and sessions before marking it complete.
An investor closed a request — can I reopen it?
No. Closed requests can't be reopened, but you can still view them under the Closed tab. If the investor needs the data again, they'll create a new request.
Need more help?
Still have questions about a data request? Reach out to our support team via support@verifiedmetrics.com — we're happy to help you get set up.