CCH Axcess™ Open Integration APIs

Our Professional and Client Services team will ensure that you are getting the most out of your CCH Axcess APIs. These consulting sessions are designed for members of your firm or third-parties working on behalf of your firm.

• Getting started with APIs (Mandatory) covers the basics of getting started, including the integrator key used for API requests, overview of authentication methods available, how to use the Developer Portal, and support resources.
• Overview of authentication and API-specific questions dives deeper into the details of the APIs, including in-depth authentication for the APIs, setting up OAuth authentication, and specific API questions and best practices. This course is strongly recommended for each API kit purchased.
• Custom application development is a service offered for firms looking for assistance in developing API-based applications to be more productive. Each request is customized to your specifications. We no longer require annual licensing of the API Tool Kits for firms that do not develop their own solutions in-house, which makes our solutions more affordable than before.

Common API kit

The Common APIs in CCH Axcess form the foundation for seamless integration across a firm’s digital ecosystem. These APIs enable firms to manage core data—clients, staff, and firm structure—while supporting automation, analytics, and intelligent workflows.

The CCH Axcess Common API Kit includes API packages related to the client, staff and firm data that is shared by all CCH Axcess modules.

• Firm APIs: The Firm APIs provide access to the foundational elements of a CPA firm’s organizational structure—offices, departments, regions, service lines, and more. By layering firm structure into workflows powered by other API kits firms can build smarter, more context-aware solutions that reflect how their business actually operates.
• Client APIs: The Client APIs are at the heart of client relationship management in CCH Axcess. They allow firms to create, update, and retrieve detailed client records—including contact information, entity types, notes, and relationships. When combined with other API kits, these capabilities enable firms to build integrated systems that deliver more personalized service, streamline onboarding, and improve data consistency across platforms.
• Staff APIs: The Staff APIs allow firms to manage and synchronize information about their personnel—including contact details, roles, signers, and team assignments. These APIs are especially powerful when used alongside Client and Firm APIs, enabling firms to build integrated systems that reflect how people are organized and how they interact with clients and internal processes.

Popular use cases:

• Leverage the data from organization units and lists to enrich integrations by keeping applications up to date with any changes to the firm lists or configuration.
• Sync client data with external software platforms to maintain one source of truth for client demographic information. The APIs allow for the creation and update of client information as well as extracting the information to push to outside systems.
• Import new staff when leveraging SSO to avoid manually add new staff.
• Manage signer information for Tax staff.

Tax API kit

By offering a robust set of Tax APIs, the CCH Axcess empowers firms to connect their tax workflows with other systems, automate repetitive tasks, and build custom solutions that fit the way they work.

• Tax APIs: The Tax APIs in CCH Axcess unlock powerful capabilities for managing tax return data across the entire lifecycle—from creation and import to calculation, batch processing and status monitoring. These APIs are designed to help firms automate repetitive processes, reduce errors, and integrate tax workflows with other systems. The Tax APIs give firms the flexibility to scale their compliance operations while maintaining accuracy and control.
• Advanced Tax APIs: While the core Tax APIs focus on retrieving and updating tax return data, the Advanced Tax APIs unlock deeper automation across the entire tax workflow. These APIs support printing/return assembly, roll-forward automation to carry prior-year data into new returns, electronic filing with status tracking, and custom reporting with DataScan. Together, they enable firms to streamline high-volume processes, reduce manual effort, and build more intelligent, end-to-end tax solutions.

Popular use cases: 

• Create returns for new or existing clients
• Import tax data from various sources (Excel files, databases, OCR extraction, etc) to automate the preparation of the return
• Extract amounts from the tax return to automate initial review of return amounts against workpapers
• Extract amounts from the tax return to provide analytics and reporting for firm performance
• Extract amounts from the tax return to provide tax summary and analytics to customers
• Extract amounts from the tax return to import amounts to related returns
• Pull a list of available returns given a set of criteria
• Download ELF Status data to create internal dashboards for tracking return statuses
• Download ELF Status history automatically when returns are accepted
• Unlock returns that are in-use to ensure returns are free for other processes

Popular Advanced Tax use cases:

• Automate the upload and/or release of electronically filed returns
• Automate extension electronic filing process
• Automate print and delivery of tax returns
• Break returns into multiple parts using print sets
• Print K-1s to separate files and save directly to individual partner folders in Document
• Download return notes to store with workpapers after returns are completed
• Roll-forward a list of returns

Engagement API kit

With the CCH Axcess Engagement APIs, firms can begin to connect their engagement workflows with other systems, automate routine tasks, and lay the groundwork for more intelligent, efficient audit and accounting processes.

• Engagement Management APIs: The Engagement Management APIs provide firms with the tools to automate the setup and lifecycle of engagement binders. These APIs currently support set-up and retrieving lists of existing engagements. Future API functionality will include creating, copying, rolling forward, locking, and deleting engagements.
• Workpaper Management APIs: Workpaper Management APIs enable firms to programmatically handle the documents and folders within engagement binders. With operations for uploading, downloading, and getting information about workpaper lists and sign-off status, these APIs support more efficient collaboration and review processes.
• Trial Balance Management APIs: The Trial Balance Management APIs allow firms to integrate financial data directly into the engagement binder. These APIs support importing and exporting trial balance and general ledger data. Future API enhancements will enable managing journal entries and customizing grouping list templates. Firms can use this functionality to connect engagement binders with client accounting systems, automate data flow, and reduce the risk of manual errors.

Popular use cases:

• Integration with accounting software to pull trial balance data directly into the engagement
• Import workpaper into engagements
• Delete workpapers from engagements
• Create engagements
• Get information about the engagement
• Create external links within engagements

Firm management API kit

The Firm Management APIs in CCH Axcess span several critical areas of day-to-day operations: Practice (billing and time capture), Workstream (project tracking), Document Management (file storage and client portals), and iQ (client advisory). These APIs give firms the ability to automate administrative processes, integrate with external systems, and build tools that improve visibility and control.

• Document Management APIs: The Document and Portal APIs in CCH Axcess allow firms to automate how documents are stored, shared, and published—both internally and with clients.  
• Practice APIs: The Practice APIs in CCH Axcess help firms automate two of the most critical operational areas: billing and time capture. 
• Workstream APIS: Workstream APIs provide basic project information, with the ability to update project statuses and view projects by client and staff. 
• CCH Axcess iQ APIs: CCH Axcess iQ APIs give firms the ability to proactively identify which clients may be affected by changes in tax law, regulatory actions, or government announcements.  

Popular Document use cases:

• Display lists of documents in other applications to leverage those documents directly without using the CCH Axcess smart client
• Automate storage of files to Document that are located on local or network drives
• Directly upload files for storage in Document, with option to publish to Portal during the process
• Create automatic approval process for documents uploaded via Portal
• Manage Document tasks from external applications

Popular Practice use cases: 

• Import time/expense entry data from outside applications
• Lookup open invoice amounts for clients
• Extract current client details like AR balance, last invoice, and last payment for presentation in client dashboard

Popular Workstream use cases:

• Update project statuses from outside applications
• Extract project status and details for use in data analytics and reporting

Popular iQ use cases:

• Get a list of affected clients for an event
• Retrieve a list of iQ event landing pages

Workflow API Kit (formerly XCMAPI)

CCH Axcess Workflow offers a powerful set of APIs—formerly known as XCMapi—that enable firms to automate and orchestrate task management across their entire organization.

• Workflow APIs: The Workflow APIs in CCH Axcess allow firms to automate and manage the flow of work across departments, teams, and service lines. These APIs support task creation, status tracking, checklist management, sign-offs, and document linking, making them ideal for coordinating complex, multi-step processes like tax return preparation, client onboarding, or audit engagements.
• Workflow Scheduler APIs: The Workflow Scheduler APIs extend the capabilities of CCH Axcess Workflow by enabling firms to automate how staff are scheduled for tasks. These APIs support intelligent booking based on availability, recurring job patterns, and calendar integration, helping firms optimize resource allocation and reduce manual coordination.

Popular Workflow use cases:

• Manage clients specific to CCH Axcess Workflow (Not associated with the client APIs in the Common API Kit)
• Create and update tasks assigned to a project from outside applications
• Signoff on tasks
• Create and update checklists for existing tasks
• Create and update issue points for existing tasks
• Link documents to existing tasks
• Add deliverables to existing tasks
• Create searches to return a list of tasks based on various criteria
• Update budget and actual time for existing tasks
• Extract task details, including status, deliverables, checklists, and issue points, to create reports and analytics