The 13 Best Clio Accounting Integrations in 2026

Clio excels at legal practice management, but connecting its billing and time tracking data to a dedicated accounting system is key for a complete financial view. Manually moving information between Clio and your general ledger is inefficient and invites errors. This guide details the best accounting integrations for Clio, helping you automate workflows, maintain accurate books, and ensure trust compliance.

1. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online (QBO) remains the accounting standard for small and mid-sized businesses, including many law firms. Its integration with Clio, typically managed through a third-party connector, syncs invoices, payments, and expenses, creating a unified financial management system. This setup separates practice management from general ledger accounting while keeping both systems updated automatically, reducing the risk of manual data entry errors. The widespread adoption of QBO also means most accountants are proficient with the software.

• Pros:
  • Industry-standard accounting software trusted by millions of businesses.
  • Comprehensive features for accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and reporting.
  • Extensive support from accountants and bookkeepers familiar with the platform.
  • Deep integration capabilities for syncing client matters, bills, and trust transactions.
• Cons:
  • The direct QBO integration might require a third-party syncing tool for advanced trust accounting compliance.
  • The user interface can feel dense for beginners compared to simpler alternatives.
  • Subscription costs can add up, particularly with multiple users and payroll add-ons.
• Pricing:
  • Simple Start: Starts at $30/month.
  • Essentials: Starts at $60/month.
  • Plus: Starts at $90/month (most popular for small firms).
  • Advanced: Starts at $200/month.

Who it's best for: Law firms of any size that want a powerful, widely-supported accounting solution and whose accountant already works with QuickBooks.

2. Xero

Xero is a strong competitor to QuickBooks Online, praised for its clean user interface, unlimited users in all plans, and excellent bank reconciliation features. For law firms, Xero's integration with Clio synchronizes invoices and payments, making it easier to track revenue and firm expenses. It’s particularly effective for firms with global clients, as its multi-currency handling is built-in and user-friendly. The focus on a streamlined user experience makes it a great choice for firm owners who want to keep a close eye on finances without a steep learning curve.

• Pros:
  • Clean, intuitive interface that is easy to learn and use.
  • Unlimited user access included in all subscription plans.
  • Strong features for bank feeds, invoicing, and expense tracking.
  • Excellent multi-currency support for firms with international dealings.
• Cons:
  • Slightly smaller market share in the U.S., meaning fewer accountants specialize exclusively in Xero compared to QBO.
  • The project tracking feature is less tailored for legal matter management than dedicated solutions.
  • Some advanced reporting features may be less detailed than those in QuickBooks.
• Pricing:
  • Early: Starts at $13/month (limited transactions).
  • Growing: Starts at $37/month.
  • Established: Starts at $70/month.

Who it's best for: Small to mid-sized firms that value ease of use, a modern interface, and strong tools for managing bank transactions and invoicing.

3. PracticePanther

Unlike a general accounting tool, PracticePanther is an all-in-one legal practice management software with built-in accounting functions, including trust accounting. While it can integrate with Clio data, many firms choose it as a Clio alternative if they want their case management and accounting housed in a single native system. PracticePanther is designed from the ground up for legal workflows, handling client intake, case management, billing, and accounting in one platform without needing a separate general ledger software for core operations. This simplifies the tech stack and reduces the friction of syncing between applications.

• Pros:
  • Fully integrated system for practice management and accounting, removing sync issues.
  • Native trust accounting features built for legal compliance.
  • Intuitive CRM and client intake features are included.
  • Streamlines workflows from client onboarding to final invoice.
• Cons:
  • Its general accounting functionality is not as exhaustive as standalone platforms like QuickBooks or Xero.
  • Less flexible for firms with complex, non-standard accounting needs.
  • Works better as a complete replacement for a Clio + accounting software stack rather than an integration.
• Pricing:
  • Solo: $49/user/month.
  • Essential: $69/user/month.
  • Business: $89/user/month.

Who it's best for: Firms that prefer a single, unified platform for both practice management and accounting and prioritize legal-specific financial workflows.

4. Xero Practice Manager

Often used by accounting firms but available to law practices, Xero Practice Manager (XPM) is a job management tool that integrates deeply with Xero's accounting platform. A third-party connector can pipe in data from Clio, creating a powerful system for managing complex projects and workflows alongside finances. XPM allows firms to track time and tasks with more granularity than Clio's native system provides, giving partners a detailed view of firm profitability by matter, client, or staff member. It's a choice for firms that are scaling and require more sophisticated project management tied to their financials.

• Pros:
  • Advanced job costing and profitability tracking features.
  • Integrates with the full Xero accounting suite for a complete picture of firm performance.
  • Highly customizable for managing complex legal projects and workflows.
  • Can handle a high volume of clients and matters effectively.
• Cons:
  • Requires a third-party service to connect Clio and XPM.
  • More complex to set up and may have a steeper learning curve than other options.
  • Primarily designed for accounting practices, so some terminology may not map directly to legal work.
• Pricing:
  • Part of the Xero ecosystem; pricing varies based on the plan and number of users.

Who it's best for: Larger or fast-growing law firms that need detailed practice management and job costing features powered by the Xero accounting ecosystem.

5. LEAP Legal Software

LEAP combines practice management with built-in legal-specific accounting, making it another all-in-one contender. It stands out with its strong focus on trust accounting and compliance, designed to meet the strict regulations that govern lawyers' handling of client funds. While offering its own robust practice management tools, it can be integrated with Clio to transfer billing and financial data into its specialized accounting module. This configuration is for firms satisfied with Clio's case management but needing more rigorous, built-in trust accounting tools than a general-purpose system like QBO provides out of the box.

• Pros:
  • Specifically designed for law firm accounting, especially trust accounts.
  • Helps ensure compliance with IOLTA and other state bar requirements.
  • Offers comprehensive case management, document automation, and billing features.
  • Cloud-based platform with strong mobile accessibility.
• Cons:
  • May be duplicative if using Clio for full case management.
  • Less flexible than a standalone accounting program for non-legal business accounting.
  • Pricing is typically higher than a simple Clio + QBO combination.
• Pricing:
  • Custom pricing based on the size and needs of the law firm.

Who it's best for: Law firms that prioritize trust accounting compliance above all else and want an accounting system built specifically for legal regulations.

6. Bill.com

Bill.com is not a general ledger system but a powerful accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) automation tool. It integrates with both Clio and your accounting software (QuickBooks or Xero) to create a streamlined, paperless workflow for paying firm bills and receiving client payments. It extracts invoice data automatically, manages digital approval workflows, and handles payments via ACH or check. This reduces administrative overhead and provides a clear audit trail for all firm expenditures, from rent to expert witness fees.

• Pros:
  • Automates the entire accounts payable process from invoice receipt to payment.
  • Creates simple, customizable approval workflows for firm expenses.
  • Syncs seamlessly with QuickBooks and Xero, eliminating double data entry.
  • Provides a variety of electronic and paper payment options.
• Cons:
  • It's an additional software subscription on top of Clio and your accounting G/L.
  • Primarily focused on AP and AR, not a complete accounting solution.
  • Transaction fees can apply depending on payment method.
• Pricing:
  • Essentials: Starts at $45/user/month.
  • Team: Starts at $55/user/month.
  • Corporate: Starts at $79/user/month.

Who it's best for: Firms looking to automate and digitize their vendor payment and approval processes, saving significant administrative time.

7. Practice Management + Accounting via Zapier (or Make)

Zapier and Make are automation platforms that act as a bridge between thousands of different applications, including Clio and various accounting tools. Instead of a direct, pre-built integration, these services let you create custom "if this, then that" workflows. For example, you could build a "Zap" that automatically creates a new sales receipt in Wave or another accounting app whenever an invoice is paid in Clio. This approach offers nearly limitless flexibility for firms with unique workflows or those using niche software without a native Clio integration.

• Pros:
  • Connects Clio to hundreds of accounting and finance apps.
  • Highly customizable workflows tailored to your firm's specific processes.
  • No coding knowledge is required to build simple automations.
  • Can automate multi-step processes across three or more applications.
• Cons:
  • Complex workflows can be challenging to build and maintain.
  • Potential for data sync delays depending on the subscription plan.
  • Ongoing subscription costs for the automation platform.
  • Data syncing can sometimes fail, requiring manual troubleshooting.
• Pricing:
  • Zapier: Free plan available; paid plans start at $19.99/month (billed annually).
  • Make: Free plan available; paid plans start at $9/month.

Who it's best for: Tech-savvy law firms that need custom integrations or use applications not directly supported in the Clio App Marketplace.

8. Ignition

Ignition streamlines the start of a client relationship by combining proposals, engagement letters, and payment collection into a single, automated workflow. It integrates with Clio to create clients and matters automatically once a proposal is accepted. More importantly, it integrates directly with QuickBooks and Xero to create invoices and reconcile payments. This front-office tool ensures you secure client commitment and payment information upfront, reducing headaches with collections later on and making sure your back-office accounting gets clean data from the start.

• Pros:
  • Automates client onboarding from proposal to payment.
  • Ensures clients sign a legally binding engagement letter before work begins.
  • Collects payment details (ACH/credit card) upfront, improving cash flow.
  • Integrates accounting and practice management software from the point of engagement.
• Cons:
  • Focused on the engagement phase, not ongoing billing for existing matters.
  • Adds another monthly subscription to your firm's tech stack.
  • May overlap with features in Clio Grow.
• Pricing:
  • Starter: Starts at $79/month.
  • Professional: Starts at $159/month.
  • Scale: Starts at $399/month.

Who it's best for: Firms that want to professionalize and automate their client engagement and payment collection process.

9. Lawcus + Accounting Apps

Lawcus is a legal practice management platform known for its Kanban-style workflow automation, which allows firms to visualize and manage their case progress. It features time tracking and billing that can be connected to external accounting platforms like an existing subscription to Xero or QBO with a third-party connector. This combination is ideal for firms that have highly standardized processes and want to use visual automation to move cases from stage to stage while ensuring financial data syncs correctly with their general ledger in the background.

• Pros:
  • Powerful visual workflow automation (Kanban boards).
  • Built-in CRM and client intake features.
  • Good time and expense tracking tools.
  • Can integrate with popular accounting systems.
• Cons:
  • Requires a third-party connector for an elegant sync between accounting tools and Clio for all-in-one reporting.
  • Lacks deep, native general ledger accounting functionality.
  • Represents a competing practice management system rather than a dedicated accounting tool.
• Pricing:
  • Standard: Starts at $39/user/month.
  • Legal PRO: Starts at $59/user/month.
  • Legal TEAM: Starts at $79/user/month.

Who it's best for: Firms focused on process automation that want a visual way to manage case pipelines while syncing finances with an external accounting app.

10. Practice Management + QuickBooks via Custom API

For large firms or those with highly specific needs, a standard integration might not be enough. Using the official APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for Clio and QuickBooks, a development team can build a completely bespoke integration. This allows for perfectly tailored data syncs, special reporting triggers, or unique logic that matches the firm's exact workflows. While it’s the most powerful option, it's also the most expensive and time-consuming, requiring significant technical resources to build and maintain.

• Pros:
  • Fully customized to the firm’s precise requirements.
  • Can accommodate unique billing structures, reporting needs, or data flows.
  • Total control over how and when data is synced.
  • Can be built to be more efficient than off-the-shelf connectors.
• Cons:
  • Requires substantial upfront investment in development costs.
  • Ongoing maintenance is needed to address API changes and bugs.
  • No dedicated customer support outside of your internal or hired development team.
  • Lengthy implementation timeline.
• Pricing:
  • Custom development costs typically range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, plus ongoing maintenance.

Who it's best for: Large law firms with unique, complex workflows and the budget for custom software development.

11. CosmoLex

CosmoLex is another all-in-one solution that provides practice management, billing, and legal-specific (business and trust) accounting in a single platform. It is a direct alternative to the Clio + a separate accounting subscription, appealing to firms that want to eliminate sync issues entirely. CosmoLex is built around the principle that legal accounting is distinct from general small business accounting and bakes features like three-way trust account reconciliation into the application for enhanced compliance features.

• Pros:
  • Complete package with compliant legal business and trust accounting built-in.
  • No syncing required between practice management and accounting modules.
  • Avoids the extra cost of a separate QuickBooks or Xero subscription.
  • Features are built specifically to address the needs of law firms.
• Cons:
  • General business accounting features are not as deep as those in QBO or Xero.
  • Migrating data to or from an all-in-one system can be challenging.
  • Offers less flexibility than a best-of-breed Clio stack.
• Pricing:
  • Pricing typically starts at around $89/user/month (billed annually).

Who it's best for: Solo and small law firms that want a single, fully integrated tool to handle every aspect of their practice, especially trust accounting.

12. TimeSolv + Accounting Apps

TimeSolv started as a best-in-class time tracking and billing tool and has since expanded its capabilities. It's an excellent choice for firms where precise and flexible timekeeping is paramount. TimeSolv offers sophisticated features like multiple billing rates, task-based budgeting, and offline time entry. It integrates directly with both QuickBooks and Xero to transfer approved invoices and payments, making it a great middle layer for firms that find Clio's native time and billing features too limiting but don't need a full practice management replacement.

• Pros:
  • Superior time tracking and invoicing capabilities.
  • Granular control over billing rates and expense management.
  • Strong reporting on staff productivity and project profitability.
  • Direct integration with both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop.
• Cons:
  • Less comprehensive as a full practice management solution compared to Clio.
  • Overlap in features can cause confusion if not configured carefully.
  • Adds another paid tool into the firm's software subscription stack.
• Pricing:
  • Starts at around $43.95/user/month.

Who it's best for: Firms that require advanced, flexible time tracking and billing management that integrates easily with their existing accounting software.

13. Clio App Marketplace

Finally, the Clio Manage App Marketplace itself is a key destination for discovering integrations. Beyond major players like QuickBooks and Xero, the marketplace lists dozens of other financial tools, payment processors, and automation connectors. Exploring the marketplace is a good final step, as it surfaces niche solutions or newly developed integrations that might be a perfect fit for your firm’s unique needs. This is the place to find tools for automated collections, advanced financial analytics, and more.

• Pros:
  • A centralized, vetted list of applications that work with Clio.
  • Easy to discover new tools for specific financial functions.
  • Often includes reviews and ratings from other law firms.
  • Integration is typically straightforward for official marketplace apps.
• Cons:
  • The quality and depth of integrations can vary widely between apps.
  • Managing many different app subscriptions can become complex and costly.
  • Some listed apps may require third-party connectors like Zapier to work.
• Pricing:
  • Varies greatly depending on the individual applications chosen from the marketplace.

Who it's best for: Any law firm using Clio that wants to explore the full ecosystem of compatible apps to build a customized, highly efficient tech stack.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right accounting integration for Clio depends on your firm's size, complexity, budget, and comfort with technology. Whether you opt for an industry giant like QuickBooks Online, a user-friendly alternative like Xero, or an all-in-one solution like CosmoLex, the goal is the same: to automate data flow, ensure financial accuracy, and free up more time to focus on practicing law.

As accountants and CPAs advise law firms on structuring their tech stack and managing their finances, complex questions often come up regarding partner distributions, trust account compliance, and the tax implications of firm expenses. When you need quick, definitive answers to tough tax questions, Feather AI provides instant research powered by authoritative sources like the IRC and IRS guidance, helping you give clients accurate advice in minutes.