This month we were busy introducing new integrations, smarter client lookups, improved filing options, and smoother onboarding and troubleshooting messages, all designed to support day-to-day workflows.
January saw the introduction of two new integrations, available to both Pro and Elite plans:
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Vibe CFO is Etani’s AI-powered platform that delivers real-time CFO level insights by connecting with FYI and other systems via a chat assistant and Power BI. This integration enables practices to synchronise FYI practice management data, including clients, jobs, and time, with Vibe CFO. For example, an advisory team can automatically report on FYI job and time data inside dashboards used for monthly CFO meetings, without manual exports. Refer to Announcing the new Integration with Vibe CFO.
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OnboardMe is a client onboarding and engagement platform designed to streamline onboarding for accounting and advisory firms. With this integration, client details, engagement documents and onboarding progress are synchronised automatically between FYI and OnboardMe. For example, once a new client completes onboarding tasks, their documents and details are already available in FYI, reducing double-handling and follow-ups. Refer to Announcing the new Integration with OnboardMe.
Automations had a make-over this month with new features, and several enhancements to various process steps:
- This month introduces a new way to find and reference clients inside Automation processes. The new Look Up Client step allows practices to search for a client in FYI using one or more filters, such as Email, FYI Client ID, or Client Code. The matched client can then be used in later steps, for example when refiling a document. Refer to Process Step Details - Look Up Client.
- You can now add Comments when using the Create Job or Update Job automation steps. A new Comments section is available at the bottom of each step and supports Merge Fields to dynamically populate comments. For example, an automation can add a comment tagging the Job Manager when a new job is created, ensuring visibility without manual follow-up. Refer to Process Step Details - Create and Update Jobs.
- We have introduced an additional option to the Stop process step, Field conditions met. This option allows practices to create conditions based on specific fields and values to prevent a process from continuing. For example, if a specific Job Custom Field is set to “False”, the process will stop and no further steps will be run. Refer to Process Step Details - Stop Step.
- We have improved the Alter Document step to provide greater control over document filing when AutoFile is disabled. Practices can now select a Client, Job or Keywords directly within the filing section, with merge fields available to dynamically populate specific fields. Merge fields are also now supported for Cabinet and Categories. Refer to Process Step Details - Alter Document.
This month also included the following improvements to New Collaborate and client management:
- To help practices quickly identify any issues, such as expired guest access, the New Collaborate Status Check was optimised to include Guest User Reconciliation for both Client Collaborate and Client Secured Collaborate sites. When a Status Check is initiated, guest users across FYI, Microsoft Entra and SharePoint are reconciled and reported in Practice Activity. Refer to New Collaborate Status Check Overview.
- A new Personalised Links option has been introduced in the Collaborate - Client app and applies to all links to Client Secured Collaborate sites. When enabled, links within emails are personalised to automatically select the recipient account when accessing the Client folder. When disabled, the site uses the Microsoft account currently signed in, and if that account does not have access, the user will be unable to continue. This setting is enabled by default and can be disabled for practices that do not wish to customise links. Refer to Configuring your Client Collaborate Settings.
- When emailing personalised links to New Collaborate using Merge Fields, the format for displaying links has been improved. Document links now display in a clear list by recipient, and Collaborate Site and Upload Folder links are easier to identify. This helps clients quickly identify what they need to access without confusion. Refer to Setting up Collaborate Email Templates.
- When importing documents from a client’s Upload folder, the Documents list Source Path column will display the location the file was imported from, ensuring teams can identify whether documents came from the client's upload folder or another source. Refer to Receiving Documents from the Upload Folder.
When restructuring Cabinets or correcting setup errors, practices can reset clients before applying new filing rules by clearing the default Cabinet using Client Bulk Update and the Update Client automation step. When the Cabinet field is cleared, any category options selected for the client will also be removed, and the Client - Activity tab will record the changes. Refer to Client Bulk Update and Process Step Details - Creating and Updating Clients.
Adding to the enhancements to clients workspace, the Clients list now supports filtering the Cabinet by (Blank), making it easier to identify clients where a Cabinet has not been selected. These clients can then be updated to select a Cabinet using Clients Bulk Update or the Update Client. Refer to Sorting and Filtering Lists.
For practices integrated with Xero Practice Manager (XPM), the Sync Custom Fields from XPM setting cannot be disabled once enabled. This helps prevent mismatches and ensures custom field data remains consistent across systems. Refer to Connecting Xero Practice Manager.
For UK practices integrated with IRIS, when an existing custom field is renamed in IRIS, the updated name will now automatically be updated in FYI on the next scheduled sync. This helps ensure duplicate fields are not created and existing data is not affected. Refer to Synchronising Clients, Jobs and Users with IRIS (United Kingdom only).
For practices on the Elite plan, this month included enhancements across filing, reporting, and imports:
- FYI Admins and users with appropriate permissions can now file employee emails and attachments from the In Tray in FYI, or from Outlook using the FYI Add-in. For example, HR emails relating to performance reviews or leave requests can be filed directly to the relevant employee record. After selecting the Employee Cabinet in the Drawer, the Employee search field is displayed, allowing users to select the relevant employee and update any other filing details. Refer to Filing Emails to Employees.
- When creating Excel reports, the Include All Columns toggle has been disabled by default to improve performance. This helps reduce slow report generation when practices only need a subset of fields, such as reviewing WIP or job lists. Users can still enable the toggle manually when full detail is required. Refer to Creating Reports from Excel Report Templates and Managing FYI Excel Master Report Templates.
- For users with Create Automation permissions, when a report is run, you will be automatically redirected to the Automation History tab, where you can view the real-time progress and completion status of the report. Users will also continue to receive a notification once the report has been generated. Refer to Creating Reports from Excel Report Templates.
- For practices migrating to the Elite plan, the WIP Import functionality has been improved to provide clearer errors when particular information cannot be imported. The downloadable WIP CSV Import report includes additional validation errors, such as invalid or missing values, unsupported date, job summary, or time formats, and exceeded character limits. Users with access to Practice Activity can select Read more to download the report, making it easier to identify and resolve any issues that occur. Refer to Error FYI-2252: Issues encountered during the WIP import.
For all the details on these features and other enhancements and resolutions for this month, refer to January 2026 Release Notes