BrightTax integrates with Xero to allow you to import trial balance data from a client's Xero account directly into BrightTax Accounts Production. This eliminates manual re-entry of bookkeeping figures and ensures consistency between the client's accounting records and their Year End Accounts.

• The client must have an active Xero account with their accounts data for the relevant period.
• You must have access to the client's Xero account — either as the account holder or as an invited advisor.
• The client must exist as an Organisation in BrightTax with a Year End Accounts task created.
• You need administrator access in BrightTax to configure integrations.

1. Open the Year End Accounts task in BrightTax for the relevant client.
2. Switch to Edit mode using the toggle in the bottom-left corner.
3. In the Accounts Production module, locate the trial balance import option.
4. Select Xero as the data source from the import options.
5. You will be redirected to the Xero authorisation screen. Log in to Xero using the client's account credentials or your advisor access.
6. Authorise BrightTax to access the Xero account when prompted.
7. Once authorised, select the Xero organisation and the accounting period you want to import.
8. Click Import to pull the trial balance data into BrightTax. The figures will populate the Extended Trial Balance automatically.

Once the trial balance data has been imported:

• Review all imported figures in the Extended Trial Balance to confirm they are correct.
• Make any required adjusting journals in BrightTax.
• Complete the accounts as normal — director linking, report signing, notes, and Check and Generate.
• Any journals posted in BrightTax will need to be entered manually in Xero if you want the bookkeeping records to reflect the year-end adjustments.

Xero is not appearing as an import option

• Confirm the Xero integration is available on your BrightTax subscription.
• Check that you are in Edit mode — the import option is not available in read-only mode.

The Xero authorisation is failing

• Check that the Xero account you are trying to connect to is active and accessible.
• Ensure you have advisor access or owner access to the client's Xero organisation.
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting the integration from BrightTax settings.

The imported figures do not match the Xero trial balance

• Ensure all transactions in Xero have been reconciled and the period is finalised before importing.
• Confirm you selected the correct accounting period and Xero organisation during the import step.

Q: Can I reimport from Xero if the figures change after the initial import?

A: Yes. Re-importing will overwrite the existing trial balance figures in BrightTax with the latest Xero data. Any manual adjustments made directly to the trial balance (not via journals) will be overwritten.

Q: Can I use the Xero integration for multiple clients?

A: Yes. Each client's Year End Accounts task connects to their own Xero organisation independently.

Q: Does BrightTax send any data back to Xero?

A: No. The Xero integration is one-way — data flows from Xero into BrightTax only. Year-end adjusting journals must be entered manually in Xero.