# Connect Xero Connecting Xero lets WorkApproved see the bills in your Xero organisation so it can send them for approval. Nothing is approved until you also turn on approvals for a type of document. See [Set up a workflow](https://workapproved.app/help/set-up-a-workflow.md). ## Before you start - You need to be a user of the Xero organisation, with permission to connect apps. - Administrators and auditors must set up two-factor authentication before they can open an organisation. The **Secure your account** step on the setup checklist takes you there. See [Passkeys and two-factor authentication](https://workapproved.app/help/passkeys-and-two-step-sign-in.md). ## Steps 1. Sign in to WorkApproved. A new account starts on a **Set up** checklist. 2. Choose **Connect to Xero** on the "Connect a Xero organisation" step. You can also choose **Organisations** in the menu, then **Connect to Xero**. 3. Xero asks you to sign in and choose which organisations to share. Pick only the ones you want approvals for. 4. Xero shows what WorkApproved is asking to do. WorkApproved reads your bills, contacts and settings. When the last approver says yes, it approves the bill in Xero and attaches the certificate. Allow it, and you return to WorkApproved. 5. The organisation appears in your list as **Connected**. It may say **Not updated from Xero yet** for a short while as the first details arrive. You can also start with **Create account with Xero** on the sign-up page, and later sign in with **Sign in with Xero**. ## What you see afterwards Open the organisation to see its overview: country, base currency, timezone, tax details, locked periods, tracking categories, contact groups and Xero users. The **Connection** panel shows when it was last updated from Xero, and **Sync now** refreshes it. A bill dated inside a locked period cannot be approved in Xero. WorkApproved holds it and flags it, so it does not fail quietly. ## If it says "Needs reconnecting" Xero sometimes asks for permission again. Until an administrator reconnects, nothing is updated from Xero or approved for that organisation. An administrator opens the organisation and chooses **Reconnect to Xero**. Everyone else sees "Xero connection needs attention. Ask an administrator." ## Disconnecting Choose **Disconnect from Xero** on the organisation page, then **Yes, disconnect**. Bills stop being sent for approval until an administrator connects again. The approval history is kept. ## One more job in Xero Anyone who can approve bills in Xero can approve them there directly, around WorkApproved. In Xero, take the approve permission away from people who should not have it. The setup checklist has a step for this, **Check who can approve in Xero**. WorkApproved alerts the administrators if a bill is approved this way, but only afterwards. See [Bypass alerts](https://workapproved.app/help/bypass-alerts.md). ## Related - [Set up a workflow](https://workapproved.app/help/set-up-a-workflow.md) - [Bypass alerts](https://workapproved.app/help/bypass-alerts.md) - [Passkeys and two-factor authentication](https://workapproved.app/help/passkeys-and-two-step-sign-in.md) - [Get help or send a correction](https://workapproved.app/help/get-help-or-send-a-correction.md) Still stuck? Email hello@workapproved.app. This guide is also in the app at https://go.workapproved.app/help/connect-xero. ## Start your free trial 7 days free. A card is needed to start. From NZ$39 + GST per Xero organisation per month, unlimited users. [Start free trial](https://go.workapproved.app/register). --- Start a free trial: https://go.workapproved.app/register (7-day free trial, card needed) · Sign in: https://go.workapproved.app/login Contact: hello@workapproved.app (support) · security@workapproved.app (security reports) Legal: [Terms](https://workapproved.app/terms.md) · [Privacy](https://workapproved.app/privacy.md) · [Partner terms](https://workapproved.app/partner-terms.md) · [Subprocessors](https://workapproved.app/subprocessors.md) WorkApproved is a product of [Stone Pritchard Limited](https://stonepritchard.com), [NZBN 9429053953216](https://www.nzbn.govt.nz/mynzbn/nzbndetails/9429053953216/), New Zealand. © 2026 Stone Pritchard Limited. Xero is a trademark of Xero Limited. WorkApproved is an independent product and is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, Xero.