| Overview |
BrightTax integrates with a range of accounting software platforms to eliminate double-entry between your bookkeeping records and your tax and accounts work. This article explains which integrations are available, what each one does, and how to choose the right one for your workflow.
| Available Integrations |
| Integration | Direction | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeAgent | Two-way | Import trial balance from FreeAgent into Accounts Production; send journal adjustments back | Firms whose clients use FreeAgent for bookkeeping |
| BrightAP | Two-way | Import sole trader accounts into ITR; send company accounts to CT; send CT journals back | Firms using both BrightAP and BrightTax |
| Xero | One-way | Import trial balance from Xero into Accounts Production | Firms whose clients use Xero for bookkeeping |
| QuickBooks | One-way | Import trial balance from QuickBooks into Accounts Production | Firms whose clients use QuickBooks for bookkeeping |
| Sage | One-way | Import trial balance from Sage into Accounts Production | Firms whose clients use Sage for bookkeeping |
| How the Integrations Work |
Accounting Software Integrations (FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage)
These integrations connect BrightTax Accounts Production to your client's bookkeeping software. The core workflow is:
- Connect BrightTax to the client's accounting software account.
- Import the trial balance data directly into the BrightTax Year End Accounts task.
- Complete the accounts and make any adjusting journals in BrightTax.
- For FreeAgent only — send completed journal adjustments back to FreeAgent for posting.
BrightAP Integration
The BrightAP integration has two separate workflows depending on client type:
- Sole Trader — import sole trader accounts from BrightAP directly into the Self-Employment section of an Individual Tax Return in BrightTax.
- Company — send company accounts from BrightAP to create and populate a Corporation Tax return in BrightTax. Once CT is complete, send the tax figures back to BrightAP.
| Choosing the Right Integration |
| If your client uses... | Use this integration |
|---|---|
| FreeAgent | FreeAgent integration |
| Xero | Xero integration |
| QuickBooks | QuickBooks integration |
| Sage | Sage integration |
| BrightAP (sole trader) | BrightAP Sole Trader import |
| BrightAP (limited company) | BrightAP Company Accounts to CT |
| None of the above / spreadsheets | Manual entry or CSV import in VAT / Accounts Production |
| ✔ Tip: Each client can use one accounting software integration at a time for a given task. You cannot import trial balance data from multiple sources into the same Year End Accounts task. |
| What the Integrations Do Not Do |
- They do not sync data in real time — all data transfers are triggered manually.
- They do not replace your bookkeeping software — BrightTax does not have a nominal ledger or bank reconciliation module.
- They do not guarantee figure-perfect imports from all sources — always review imported figures before proceeding.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Do I need to pay extra for the integrations?
A: The integrations are included as part of your BrightTax subscription. You do not need to purchase them separately. However, you will need an active subscription to the accounting software you are connecting to.
Q: Can I use more than one integration across different clients?
A: Yes. You can use different integrations for different clients — for example, Xero for some clients and FreeAgent for others. The integration is configured at the client and task level, not at the practice level.
Q: What if my client uses software not listed here?
A: For bookkeeping software not directly integrated with BrightTax, you can export a trial balance from the software in CSV or Excel format and enter the figures manually in BrightTax Accounts Production.
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