Accountancy Manager Xero Integration Guide [2026 Updated]

Pairing your practice management system with your accounting software is one of the most effective ways to reduce manual work and improve data accuracy. When you connect Accountancy Manager with Xero, you create a synchronized workflow that eliminates double-entry for invoices and client data. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for integrating these two powerful tools, covering the different connection methods, step-by-step setup instructions, and troubleshooting for common sync issues.

Why Integrate Accountancy Manager with Xero?

Running an accounting practice often involves juggling information between a client management system and an accounting ledger. Accountancy Manager (AM) excels at workflow automation, managing deadlines, and communicating with clients, while Xero is the gold standard for small business accounting. Integrating them bridges the gap between client service and internal bookkeeping.

The core benefits include:

• Reduced Manual Data Entry: Automatically create or update client contacts in Xero when you add them to Accountancy Manager. This sync removes the tedious task of entering the same information in two separate systems.
• Streamlined Invoicing: Generate an invoice in Accountancy Manager and have it instantly appear in Xero. When a payment is recorded in Xero, the status can be updated back in AM, keeping your client and payment records consistent.
• Improved Data Accuracy: By automating the flow of information, you significantly reduce the risk of typos, incorrect invoice amounts, or outdated client details that lead to reconciliation headaches.
• Enhanced Visibility: Get a clearer, real-time view of your firm's finances. When client data and invoicing are instantly reflected in Xero, your financial reports are always up-to-date, providing a reliable picture of your revenue and receivables.

How to Connect Accountancy Manager with Xero

As of 2026, Accountancy Manager does not offer a built-in, one-click native integration with Xero. This means you’ll need to use a third-party automation platform or a custom solution to facilitate the connection. Here are the most common methods available, ordered from simplest to most complex.

1. Third-Party Automation Platforms (Most Common)

This is the most popular and practical method for most accounting firms. Tools like Make and Zapier act as a bridge between Accountancy Manager and Xero, allowing you to build automated workflows (called "Scenarios" in Make or "Zaps" in Zapier) without writing a single line of code.

• How it works: You define a "trigger" event in one app (e.g., "New Client Added in Accountancy Manager") and a corresponding "action" in the other app (e.g., "Create a Contact in Xero"). The platform handles the communication between the two systems.
• Setup Difficulty: Easy to Medium. These tools use a visual, drag-and-drop style interface that is accessible for non-developers.
• Cost: Both Make and Zapier offer free tiers with limited functionality and paid plans starting around $10-$30 per month depending on the number of automated tasks you run.

2. Dedicated Integration Apps

You can also check the official marketplaces for each platform for any specialized connectors that have been developed by third-party software companies. These apps are purpose-built to connect specific software pairs.

• How it works: You would find an app in the Xero App Marketplace or posted on a partner directory associated with Accountancy Manager. These often provide a more guided setup experience than general automation platforms.
• Setup Difficulty: Easy. They are typically designed for a simple plug-and-play experience.
• Cost: Varies. Some may be free, while others charge a monthly subscription fee.

3. Custom API Integration (For Advanced Needs)

For large firms with unique workflow requirements, a custom integration provides the most control and flexibility. Both Accountancy Manager and Xero offer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), which allow developers to build direct connections between the systems.

• How it works: A developer writes code that uses the AM and Xero APIs to pull and push data according to your firm's exact specifications. This could include complex conditional logic, custom field mapping, and high-volume data syncs.
• Setup Difficulty: Complex. This method requires specialized knowledge and developer resources.
• Cost: High. Costs involve hiring a developer or using internal IT resources, plus ongoing maintenance to manage API updates.

Step-by-Step Guide: Connecting Accountancy Manager to Xero with Make

Using a third-party connector like Make is the most flexible approach for most firms. The following example shows how to set up a common workflow: automatically create a new contact in Xero whenever a new client is added in Accountancy Manager.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• An active Accountancy Manager account with admin permissions.
• An active Xero account with standard or advisor user permissions.
• An active account with Make (a free plan is sufficient to start).

Setup Steps

1. Create a New Scenario in Make: Log in to your Make account and click "Create a new scenario."

2. Set Your Trigger Module (Accountancy Manager): In the scenario editor, click the large plus icon and search for "Accountancy Manager." Select it, then choose the trigger event. A common trigger is "Watch Clients" which will run whenever a new client is added.

3. Connect Your Accountancy Manager Account: Make will prompt you to add a connection to AM. You'll need to provide your API key from within your Accountancy Manager settings. Follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate your account. Once connected, Make will test the link.

4. Set Your Action Module (Xero): Click the plus icon attached to the AM module to add your next step. Search for and select "Xero." For this workflow, choose the action "Create a Contact."

5. Connect Your Xero Account: As before, Make will ask you to add a Xero connection. This process uses OAuth 2.0, so you will be redirected to the Xero login page to authorize Make to access your account data. Select the organization (your firm) you want to connect.

6. Map the Data Fields: This is the most important step. You need to tell Make which information from Accountancy Manager should go into which field in Xero. Click inside a Xero field (e.g., "Contact Name"), and a sidebar will appear with data "pills" from Accountancy Manager.

   Example Mapping:

   • In the Xero Contact Name field, select the Company Name or Client Name pill from Accountancy Manager.
   • In the Xero Email Address field, select the Email pill.
   • In the Xero Street Address field, select the Address Line 1 pill, and so on for Line 2, City, and Postal Code.

7. Test and Schedule the Scenario: Click the "Run once" button at the bottom left. Make will check for a recently added client in Accountancy Manager and attempt to create that contact in Xero. If it worked, you'll see green checkmarks. To automate it, use the toggle at the bottom to turn the scenario "On" and set a run schedule (e.g., every 15 minutes or once a day).

You can create similar scenarios for invoicing. For example, use Accountancy Manager's "Watch Invoices" trigger and Xero's "Create a Sales Invoice" action. The data mapping process is the same—just match invoice numbers, line items, amounts, and due dates.

Common Sync Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with automated workflows, you can occasionally run into hiccups. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

• Problem: Sync Failure or Authentication Errors
  Reason: API keys or authentications can expire or be revoked if a user's permissions change.
  Solution: In your Make or Zapier dashboard, go to the "Connections" section. Find the Accountancy Manager or Xero connection that is failing and click "Reauthorize." You will be prompted to log in again to refresh the connection.
• Problem: Duplicate Records are Created
  Reason: The basic workflow creates a new record every time a trigger runs, without checking if that record already exists.
  Solution: Add a "Search" step to your workflow. Before the "Create a Contact" step in Xero, add a "Search for Contacts" module. Use the client's email address or name to see if they already exist. Then, use a "Router" in Make to create two paths: if a contact is found, use the "Update a Contact" module; if no contact is found, use the "Create a Contact" module.
• Problem: Data is Mismatched or Missing
  Reason: The fields were not mapped correctly during setup, or the format of the source data (e.g., date format) doesn't match what the destination app expects.
  Solution: Open your scenario editor and review the mapping in the action module. Ensure every source field correctly corresponds to its destination field. Make includes built-in functions to reformat dates or text if needed.

Final Thoughts

Connecting Accountancy Manager and Xero closes the loop between practice management and accounting, saving you countless hours on administrative tasks. While a direct connection isn't available, automation platforms like Make offer a powerful and surprisingly straightforward way to build the custom workflows your firm needs.

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