Sage Intacct 2026 R3 highlights: AI queries, risk detection in AP, and stepped retainage

Sage Intacct's 2026 R3 release is out, and this one leans into AI across the core modules, adds anomaly detection to AP automation, and brings multi-step retainage for the construction teams. Follow our webinar replay for the configuration details and more noteworthy enhancements.

1. Query your Sage Intacct data from Claude

Sometimes you just need a quick answer and don't want to open a report to get it. Sage Intacct AI Gateway connects your financial data to Claude, with a built-in Connector.  

Type a question in plain language in Claude and get answer from your Sage Intacct core modules: GL, cash management, AR, AP, order entry, and purchasing. That's less limiting than it sounds, because dimensional data follows transactions to the GL, so you can ask:

• What are my AR invoices by project?
• How much do I owe to a specific vendor?
• How much does a given customer owe me?

The user permissions carry over, so anyone running a query only sees the data they're allowed to see.

2. Get AI analysis without leaving Sage Intacct

The Finance Intelligence Agent is Sage’s embedded AI. It covers the same core modules and user permission as the AI Gateway. The key difference: you stay within Sage Intacct, and it shows you the analysis view of how it worked out the number.

It's an early adopter feature available to every customer on a phased rollout from June through October 2026. Watch for an opt-in pop-up when you log in.  

3. Catch unusual invoices before they post

Anomaly detection has been part of Sage Intacct in the GL for a while. Now it's in AP Automation, too.  It watches for two patterns and flags them so your team can review before anything posts:

• Invoices arriving from an email address you've never received from

• Invoices from a known vendor for an unusual amount

Like any AI tool, it has a learning phase – so expect more flags when you first turn it on. As you clear them, it refines what counts as normal, and the flags taper off.  

4. Automate stepped retainage on construction commitments

If your contracts hold retainage at one rate for the first part of a job and a different rate later, say 10% on the first half and 5% on the second, Sage Intacct Construction can now calculate that automatically on commitments. You can define multiple steps, not just two, and base each calculation on retainage held, amount invoiced, or percent of contract.  

Less manual tracking means better consistency across purchasing and billing, and more confidence in your project financials.

NOTE: If your Sage Intacct Construction integrates with Procore or a similar system, talk to your Customer Success Manager before editing transaction definitions so nothing breaks.

5. Test what's next for construction

Want a preview of what's coming next? These two construction features are currently available through the Early Adopter Program for customers willing to test them and provide feedback:

• Project contract billing workflow that adds flexibility around marking expenses billable, including the ability to review and adjust billable status in bulk rather than hunting through reports.
• Cost code level WIP forecasting gives project managers finer control over forecast detail that feeds the WIP schedule.

Watch the update webinar replay

Monica Delisle, Sage Intacct Solutions Architect walks through the configuration in the session, plus a few more updates:

• Post up to 20 AP bills or AR invoices at once
• Combine multiple order entry documents into a single invoice
• Fixed Asset Management usability updates
• The new Site contact field in Projects  

FAQs on Sage AI

Do I need a paid subscription for the AI Gateway?
Yes. You need the AI Gateway subscription plus a Web Services Developer license.  

Will AI queries use up my API calls?
Yes. Gateway queries run through the REST API and count against your monthly allowance of 100,000 calls. Check usage under Company > Admin > Usage Insights, or ask the AI how many calls you've used. Higher tiers are available if you're querying heavily.

Does the AI Gateway work with ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, or just Claude?
Claude is the tool with a direct connector. Because the Gateway runs on the REST API, other tools should work, but they may take more IT setup and Sage hasn't published instructions yet. Support for more tools is expected soon.

Is my data secure when I use these AI tools?
Yes. The AI Gateway acts as a secure connection layer between Sage Intacct and external AI tools, built on standards-based security. It uses a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and REST APIs to create a governed, auditable endpoint, which means you control what an AI application can see and do.

Does the AI pull data from both the top and entity level?
It's expected to pull from all levels, though this wasn't fully tested in the session. You can narrow a query by naming a specific entity in your prompt.

Final thoughts

Thank you to everyone who joined and shared feedback in the survey. It shapes what we prioritize for the next release update session. Stay tuned for Smart Excel Reporting with a live connection to your Intacct data, the customer payments portal, and embedded prepaid expense amortization.

Already on Sage Intacct and want help turning these features on? Talk to your AVT Customer Success Manager. New to Sage Intacct? Book a 30-minute walkthrough and we'll show you how it fits your team.