Our Xero integration allows you to sync transaction details and automatically create accounting records in Xero by assigning Xero GL (General Ledger) codes to transactions directly from your Mercury dashboard.
This integration only allows transaction information to be synced from Mercury to Xero. Any changes in Xero won’t sync back to Mercury.
Connecting to Xero from Mercury
- Go to Settings > Integrations and click Connect to Xero.
- Choose whether to sync historic transaction data or start from today’s transactions.
Once connected, Xero will appear as "Active" on your Integrations page. You can also disconnect the integration directly from your Integrations page at any time.
If you’re already connected to Xero but don’t see the ability to add GL codes, you may need to update your Xero connection. You can do this by going to Settings > Integrations, finding your Xero integration, and clicking Update.
Applying Xero GL codes
Mercury customers who use Xero can categorize transactions and payments before they're reconciled in Xero. Once you connect to Xero, Mercury will automatically pull in your GL codes so you can apply them to transactions.
You can do this in a few different places:
- On your Transactions page, click open a Transaction to view the details and select from the GL code dropdown.
- If you’re creating a new payment manually or by uploading an invoice, select from the GL code dropdown as you’re setting up the payment details.
- If you want to add a category to an upcoming payment that was already scheduled, you can view the payment details on your Payments page and select from the GL code dropdown there.
- You sync credit and debit card transactions from your Accounting page.
- Once a transaction has been reviewed and the GL code selected, click the “Mark as ready” action icon.
- After marking any card transactions that are ready, select “Sync to Xero” in the top right to sync the card expenses to your Xero account.
Frequently asked questions
Is the integration with Xero free to use?
Yes! Our Xero integration is free to use. Learn more about pricing.
What types of transactions can have GL codes applied to them?
Mercury users can categorize incoming and outgoing wires, ACH transfers, and checks. The only transaction types currently excluded are internal transfers and Treasury transactions.
If I create a recurring payment in Mercury, will the GL code apply to all future transactions?
Yes, the GL code you assign to the first payment will be automatically assigned to all future payments in the series.
If I make changes in Xero to a transaction, will those be reflected in my Mercury account?
No, the connection is a one-way sync. Transaction information is passed from Mercury to Xero, and any changes in Xero won’t pass back to Mercury.
Can I edit a GL code on the Transactions page?
No. Once you assign a GL code from your Transactions page the GL code cannot be edited further in Mercury. Any changes must be made directly in Xero.
If I don’t want to categorize my payments in Mercury, can I turn off this feature?
Yes. If you don’t want to categorize transactions but you still want to automatically import transactions to Xero via the bank feed, go to your Integrations settings, click the toggle next to Disconnect and select Disable Bill Categorization. If you’d rather disconnect your Xero integration entirely, you can do this by selecting Disable.
When do transactions sync to Xero, and what kind of an accounting record is created?
- Send money and bill pay (only applicable if a GL code is selected when processing the bill)
- Syncs first upon scheduling, and again upon payment.
- When scheduled, an unpaid invoice entity is created in Xero and categorized with the associated expense based on your selection.
- When the bill is paid the bill is automatically marked as paid in Xero.
- Credit and debit card
- Syncs from the Accounting page after being marked as ready and pressing “Sync to Xero”.
- Recorded as a bank transaction in Xero.
- Other transactions on the transactions page
- These sync immediately upon selecting the GL code.
- Incoming and outgoing transactions are recorded as bank transactions.
What information is included in the sync when I categorize a Mercury transaction?
- For bills – GL code, invoice #, amount, payment date, notes, attachments
- For regular payments – GL code, invoice #, amount, payment date, notes, attachments
- For credit or debit card transactions - GL code, payment date, amount, notes, attachments