Connecting Xero

Step-by-step guide to linking your Xero account for automatic accounting sync.

Intermediate8 min read6 sections

Xero Integration Overview

LodgeKit's Xero integration keeps your accounting up to date automatically. Invoices, payments, contacts, and late fees sync to Xero so you never have to enter the same data twice. The connection uses secure OAuth 2.0 with encrypted token storage.

Before You Start

You'll need a Xero account with at least Standard user access and a LodgeKit account with Admin permissions. Make sure your Xero organisation has the correct chart of accounts set up — LodgeKit maps to your existing accounts.

Step 1: Connect to Xero

Navigate to Dashboard > Settings > Integrations and click Connect on the Xero card. You'll be redirected to Xero's login page. Sign in, select the organisation you want to connect, and click Allow Access. You'll be returned to LodgeKit with the connection confirmed.

How the OAuth Flow Works

LodgeKit uses OAuth 2.0 to securely connect to Xero. Your Xero credentials are never stored in LodgeKit — instead, we receive a token that grants limited access to your Xero data. This token is encrypted with AES-256-GCM and refreshes automatically.

Step 2: Map Your Accounts

After connecting, go to Dashboard > Settings > Accounting to configure account mapping. Map LodgeKit's income and expense categories to your accounting provider's chart of accounts. For example, map "Accommodation Revenue" to a revenue account and "Payment Received" to your bank account.

Step 3: Sync Your Data

Once mapping is complete, LodgeKit syncs data automatically. New invoices created in LodgeKit appear in Xero within minutes. Payments recorded in LodgeKit are synced as Xero payments. Guest records sync as Xero contacts.

What Gets Synced

Invoices → Xero Invoices (with line items, tax, and due dates). Payments → Xero Payments (linked to the correct invoice). Guests → Xero Contacts (name, email, phone). Late Fees → Xero Invoice line items. Refunds → Xero Credit Notes.

Sync Frequency

Changes sync within a few minutes of being made in LodgeKit. You can also trigger a manual sync from the Xero settings page. A full sync runs automatically every 2 hours during business hours.

Troubleshooting

If syncing stops, the most common cause is an expired token. Go to Settings > Integrations and check the connection status for your accounting provider. If it shows "Disconnected", click Reconnect to re-authorise. If invoices aren't appearing, check your account mapping is complete and that the invoice isn't in Draft status (only Sent invoices sync).

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