Here’s part one of our Summer Series – All about Xero. Put your feet up, get out your tablet or smart phone, and find out what all the fuss is about.
Why Xero?
With so many small business accounting packages available – what’s the big deal about the one called Xero?
In part one of our Summer series we’ll tell you why others choose Xero, and about the popular features that will make a big difference to your small business.
Here are some of the top reasons why business owners are opting to switch to Xero, or are choosing Xero as their first accounting system when they start a business.
- It’s a good looker – Xero is easy on the eye and a good balance between simplicity and elegance.
- It’s always fast and reliable, with a best-in-class uptime of 99.97% since 2007.
- Xero allows unlimited collaboration with your trusted advisors and staff. You can control the access and invite them in and out as you want.
- Free unlimited email support from the Xero support teams, as well as a contact your accountant button. You feel supported, never on your own if you get into trouble.
- Xero is a business support system, not just an accounting ledger. You can start as one, then scale up and power upas you need to. Xero has an ecosystem of 300+ Add-on applications to manage your business.
6 Xero features that will bring you the most benefit, fast.
There are many features that stand out with this product, and everyone has their list of things they love most.
We think you will see the biggest change in how you operate your business from these 6 Xero features.
- Automated bank feeds in Xero.
So what? Imagine seeing all your business bank activity on one side of the screen, and all your bookkeeping invoices and bills on the other. Then have fun matching them up – we call it reconciling the bank. This is a big competitive advantage and leveller for micro businesses, it puts you in the game.
Because of the bank feeds it’s easy to reconcile more often – that way you keep control of what’s going on and keep an eye on your cash flow.
Xero receives your bank statement lines automagically. You can reconcile from anywhere with the Xero Touch mobile app.
- Online invoicing.
You’ll love this if you’ve ever created invoices on Excel or Word and then typed the value onto your “accounting spreadsheet”. Save time by raising a good looking, professional, on-line invoice to email to your customers. You can still print and it if you want to. On-line invoices get paid faster. You know when the invoice has been opened and you can create lovely, easy recurring invoices scheduled by date to suit your needs.
- Mobile access
Run your business anywhere, from any device – so long as you have access to the internet.
Check balances, upload receipts and invoice customers. You can run your business and access your accounts from work, home, or on the go. You will also love the “Files” function, where you can photograph your bills ready to deal with later. Files gives you a massive amount of free online storage for any business records- not just accounts.
- Free & automatic updates
Every 3–6 weeks the busy bees at Xero release innovative new features and enhancements based on ideas from you and me. Want a feature tweaked or added? Just email it to them and ask. You don’t need to do anything for updates, as it’s all in the cloud. This means less to worry about so you can get on with your business.
- Smart reports
There are a lot of reports in Xero. Some, are more accountant friendly than user focussed, but you’ll find lots you love here. If you’re with the right accountant they will tell you what reports mean, if you need help. The best thing about Xero reports is that they are in real time. You don’t have to wait for the end of the month. VAT returns (once reconciled to your accounts) can be done in a very short time, and submitted to HMRC with a full, easy to follow audit trail.
Xero reports will save you time, keep you up to date and help you present your business data beautifully.
- Unlimited email support from the Xero Teams
These guys have the answer to any query we’ve raised. They are fast, clear and operate around the clock because they have teams around the world – helping you feel supported and connected when you need help.
Any questions or want a free service trial – get in touch with Shaper Accountants or follow us on Twitter @ShaperAccounts.