Consolidation Software Guide
2027 Buyer's Guide

Financial Consolidation Software: A Plain-English Guide for 2027

If you run more than one company, or report for clients who do, consolidating the numbers by hand in spreadsheets eats days every month. Here's what consolidation software does, who actually needs it, and a close look at Joiin, one of the most affordable options for Xero, QuickBooks and Sage users.

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Last updated November 2026 · Based on published product documentation and verified user reviews

~$23per month entry plan
14 daysfree trial, no card
Unlimitedusers on every plan
10+accounting integrations
★

Quick verdict

For small and mid-sized groups already on cloud accounting software, Joiin is a strong, low-cost consolidation layer. Every feature is included on every plan, users are unlimited, and you can mix Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and other systems in one group. Larger enterprises with complex statutory consolidation, ownership structures and audit workflows should look at enterprise close platforms instead.

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BasicsWhat is financial consolidation software?

Financial consolidation software combines the accounts of several companies into one set of group reports: a consolidated profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow. It sits on top of the accounting system each company already uses, so nobody changes how they keep their books.

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Pulls the data

From each entity's accounting system on a schedule, instead of exporting and pasting.

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Maps accounts

"Office costs" in one company and "Premises expenses" in another land on the same group line.

€$

Converts currencies

For subsidiaries that report in different currencies.

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Eliminates intercompany

Management fees and loans between group companies, so nothing is double counted.

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Builds reports

Board packs, dashboards and budget-vs-actual for the whole group or any part of it.

FitWho needs it (and who doesn't)

You'll likely get your money back quickly if:

You probably don't need it yet if you run a single company with straightforward reporting. Your accounting software's built-in reports will cover you. That said, tools like Joiin also offer single-entity reporting, which some businesses use for nicer dashboards and report packs.

ReviewJoiin review: consolidation for cloud accounting users

Joiin is a UK-based reporting and consolidation platform launched in 2018. It's built around the idea that small and mid-sized groups shouldn't need an enterprise budget to get proper consolidated reports.

Integrations

Xero QuickBooks Online Sage FreeAgent Zoho Books MYOB Pennylane Fortnox Puzzle Spreadsheets

Companies on any other system can be added by spreadsheet upload and consolidate the same way. You can mix platforms freely, for example a Xero parent with a QuickBooks subsidiary. It's a Platinum partner in Intuit's QuickBooks app program and is listed on the Xero App Store.

Key features

Pricing

~$23per month · 1 entity
  • Every feature on every plan, no add-ons
  • Unlimited users and unlimited reports
  • Higher tiers as you add companies
  • Monthly or annual billing
  • 14-day free trial, no card required

Prices vary by region and change over time. Check Joiin's pricing page for current figures.

Pros

  • Low entry price compared with most rivals
  • All features on every plan
  • Unlimited users at no extra cost
  • Works across many accounting systems at once
  • Quick setup through direct sign-in to Xero or QuickBooks
Start your free Joiin trial → Connect your first company in a few minutes

CompareHow Joiin compares

Three tools come up most often for small and mid-sized groups on Xero and QuickBooks. All three are solid. They differ mainly in focus and how they charge.

Joiin Best valueSpotlight ReportingFathom
Best forAffordable multi-entity consolidation and reportingAccounting firms and Xero users wanting polished report templatesManagement reporting combined with forecasting
Entry price~$23/month (1 entity)~$35/month (Business plan)Quote / tiered by companies
ConsolidationIncluded on every planSeparate "Multi" productIncluded on consolidation tiers
UsersUnlimitedVaries by planVaries by plan
Main integrationsXero, QuickBooks, Sage, MYOB, Zoho, FreeAgent, spreadsheetsXero, QuickBooks, MYOB, Sage 50, ExcelXero, QuickBooks, MYOB, Excel
Free trial14 days, no cardYesYes

Entry prices from public listings on G2 and vendor sites, checked November 2026. Always confirm on each vendor's own pricing page.

If your priority is getting reliable group numbers at the lowest cost, with no feature gates and your whole team on board, Joiin is the easiest place to start. If you mainly want heavy forecasting or highly designed client reports, trial Fathom or Spotlight alongside it.

ChecklistHow to choose: 5 questions to ask

  1. Integrations: does it connect directly to every accounting system your entities use?
  2. Multi-currency: does it handle translation automatically, with the rates you need?
  3. Eliminations: can it remove intercompany balances and transactions without manual journals?
  4. Pricing model: are you charged per entity, per user, or per feature, and what happens as you grow?
  5. Reporting output: can you produce the board pack or client report you need without reworking it in Excel?

The fastest way to test all five is to connect two or three of your real companies during a free trial and try to rebuild last month's group report.

FAQFrequently asked questions

What is financial consolidation software?

It combines the accounts of several companies in a group into one set of reports, such as a consolidated P&L, balance sheet and cash flow. It pulls data from each entity's accounting system, maps the charts of accounts together, converts currencies, and removes intercompany transactions so group numbers aren't double counted.

When does a business need consolidation software?

Usually once you run two or more companies and spend real time each month building group reports in spreadsheets. Other signs are multiple currencies, intercompany loans or recharges, or investors and lenders asking for consolidated figures.

How much does Joiin cost?

The entry plan is listed at about $23 per month for a single entity, with higher tiers for more entities. All plans include every feature and unlimited users. There's a 14-day free trial with no credit card. Check Joiin's pricing page for current prices in your currency.

Does Joiin work with Xero and QuickBooks?

Yes. It connects directly to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage, plus FreeAgent, Zoho Books, MYOB, Pennylane, Fortnox and Puzzle. Companies without an integration can be added by spreadsheet, and you can mix platforms in one group.

Can Joiin handle multi-currency groups and intercompany eliminations?

Yes. Both are built in and included on every plan rather than sold as add-ons.

Is consolidation software a replacement for my accounting software?

No. It sits on top of your existing accounting software. Each company keeps its own books in Xero, QuickBooks or similar, and the consolidation tool reads that data to build group reports.

See your group numbers in one place

Connect your companies, map once, and get consolidated reports without the spreadsheet work.

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