When starting with entities and groups in Cimplico Workpapers, selecting the right import method makes the process smoother. The best approach depends on your firm’s setup—whether you use Xero, FYI, or neither. This guide provides practical tips to help you choose the most suitable method.
Integrations | Ability to import entities | Ability to import groups |
FYI Docs | ✅ | ✅ |
Xero | ✅ | ❌ |
1. If your firm doesn’t use Xero or FYI
Recommended approach
Import entities and groups manually.
For initial setup, use the CSV upload feature to save time.
For ongoing updates (e.g., adding new clients) manually add entities and groups either individually or using the CSV.
Note: If you're only adding one or two entities or groups, creating these individually may be quicker than the CSV.
Reasoning
Bulk importing reduces repetitive tasks when setting up large client bases and when integrations aren't available.
💡 Guide: Manual Import (No Xero or FYI)
Initial Setup:
Use Adding entities manually (individually or in bulk) and Adding groups manually (individually or in bulk) to import your data.
Ongoing Updates:
For new entities or groups, either add them individually or via CSV, depending on the number of entities.
2. If your firm uses Xero but not FYI
Recommended approach
Import entities from Xero for those with a Xero file. This extracts key data such as:
Entity name
Legal name
Financial year-end date
Entity type
For entities without a Xero file, add them manually.
Groups must be added manually since Xero does not provide this information.
Reasoning
Using the Xero integration for entities reduces data entry and ensures critical information is automatically populated.
Manually adding groups ensures your client's structures are accurately represented.
💡 Guide: Xero Integration (Without FYI)
Initial Setup:
Use Adding entities from Xero for entities with a Xero file.
Use Adding entities manually (individually or in bulk) for those without a file.
Use Adding groups manually (individually or in bulk) for groups.
Ongoing Updates:
Add new entities manually if they don’t have a Xero file or via Xero if a file is available.
Continually create new groups or add entities to existing groups as needed.
3. If your firm uses Xero and FYI
Recommended approach
Import both entities and groups through FYI.
Whenever more entities or groups are added, import the new entities and groups with FYI to ensure your data remains up-to-date.
Reasoning
FYI simplifies the import process by bringing in both entities and groups together
Maintaining the FYI sync ensures your system reflects the latest updates without manual intervention.
ℹ️ Note: In this situation, FYI is utilised to manage entities, groups and documents. The Xero integration can still be utilised to extract trial balance and other financial information from your client's Xero file at the workpaper level.
💡 Guide: FYI Integration (with Xero)
Initial Setup:
Authorise and map your Xero files to your newly created Cimplico Workpapers entities (that were brought in through the FYIDocs integration) using Adding entities from Xero.
Take note in Step 8A to map the authorised Xero files to the entities using the drop downs, and to avoid creating new/duplicate entities.
Ongoing Updates:
Continue syncing with FYI to bring in any new entities or groups.