Tag Archive | Accounting
June 21, 2013  

Converting from MYOB to XERO

Are you using MYOB and want to switch to the cloud with Xero? There are a lot of factors to consider with converting from MYOB to Xero:
  1. What date are you going to convert from? – you can’t pick a random date, you have to think about BAS returns
  2. Do you want to keep your existing MYOB chart of accounts (account codes) or is this now the time to start fresh with how you have always wanted them to be?
  3. Do you have unpaid creditor (accounts payable) invoices which were entered in MYOB? These need to be entered into Xero too so that they can be paid.
  4. Do you have unpaid debtor (accounts receivable) invoices? These need to be entered into Xero as well.
  5. Are all of your bank accounts reconciled? and can you start bank feeds from the same date as your conversion date?
these are only a few things that need to be considered, there are many more as well.  As you can see you can end up spending a lot of time which is spent with any software converting from one to another.   Just remember the long term benefits of switching to Xero will outweigh these short term costs.
To make sure that your Xero file is set up correctly e-accountant can do the work for you, for a flat fee have a look at our Xero Setup and Training Prices.
If you are using payroll in MYOB ask us to quote on converting your payroll over to Xero as well.
June 18, 2013  

Xero Training & Support – Perth Based

xero logo

xero logo (Photo credit: xeroaccounting)

Xero is a great accounting software, however the information that is entered will only be as good as the person entering it!

It’s important to make sure that you fully know how to use Xero, whether you have used another accounting software like MYOB and have converted to Xero or are using an accounting software for the first time make sure you know how to use it first.

It won’t necessarily cost you a lot of money to get training, and if you know how to enter data into Xero correctly then it will save the costs which are incurred in having someone come and fix your transactions at a later date.

My first  place for training which I refer my clients to is the FREE (my favourite word and I’m sure yours too!) online Xero customer training. These are in the form of live webinars where you can ask questions directly and which are answered on the spot, or a recorded video which can be watched any time.  The Xero Customer Training covers Setting up your business on Xero, Setting up Xero Payroll and more.
Once you have done these training because they are a general training with an overview of Xero I can do a one on one training with you where we use your live Xero and enter in actual transactions specific for your business. Things that can be covered include:
  • Entering invoices
  • Emailing invoices & customer statements
  • Setting up Payroll
  • Preparing a Payrun
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Fixed Asset Register
  • and more….
Training can be initially when you set up Xero, or on an ongoing basis, and can be based from your office or online using screen sharing.  You might have Xero setup and maintaining your accounts yourself but as the year goes on you encounter new scenarios and need help on how to do this.
You may also just need some Support for a specific issue or transaction that you are trying to record in Xero.  The first place you should always visit is the Xero Business Help Centre, this is constantly updated by Xero when there are new releases and has step by step instructions on how to process within Xero including videos.
Alternatively you can contact me at e-accountant where I can put you onto a monthly support plan to help with regular queries or can help you with one off queries. Or even contact your own regular Tax Accountant. The charge of half an hour and making sure it is done right will be a lot better than the charge of 3 + hours of myself or your accountant trying to fix any mistakes because you didn’t ask for help!
June 12, 2013  

Xero Setup & Training

As we are drawing to the close of the 2013 financial year, before the year end it is a good time to look at planning for the 2014 financial year.  One of the biggest things that a small business owner will be thinking about is how their bookkeeping was done this year and how far behind they are, and that they want to be on top of things for the next financial year.

It is this time of year which is the best time to look at using a new accounting system, and we recommend using Xero. Whether you were using Microsoft Excel or MYOB to maintain this years accounts, we can help to setup Xero and convert your existing account balances and transactions across.

If you have heard about Xero and want to know more about it and how it can help you to manage your business contact us and we can get together for a free no obligation “Coffee & Chat” to discuss how Xero works and how it can make your bookkeeping easier.

Check out our Xero Setup & Training Prices to get you up and running and also ourMonthly Pricing Plans which include your monthly Xero subscription and take all the hassle out of doing your books yourself.

June 3, 2013  

Spanner Planner – Online Autoshop Management System

Looking for an online autoshop management system to run your business? Then you should check out Spanner Planner.

Spanner Planner will enable you to:
  • Invoice your customers
  • Track your staff time to jobs
  • Send service reminders to customers
  • Manages stock & ordering
What’s even better is that Spanner Planner integrates with Xero, which means:
  • No double handling of accounts related data
  • Payments & invoices made in Spanner Planner are automatically imported into Xero
  • Customers & Suppliers are automatically synced between Spanner Planner & Xero
Which makes keeping your business books easy!
Spanner Planner offers a 30 day free trial, so that you can check it out first and see how it will save you time to concentrate on making money rather than spending time tracking it as Spanner Planner & Xero will do this for you.
Spanner Planner isn’t just for the automobile industry but also, bicycles, boats and trucks.
Contact us to find out how Spanner Planner & Xero will work for you.
September 20, 2012  

Help my Xero opening/conversion balances aren’t saving & updating!

In the last week there have been two requests from clients who have tried to change their opening balances of accounts and it won’t save and update for them.

The reason for why the accounts balances aren’t updating is because, the accounts payable and or accounts receivable balances don’t match the opening Payable and Receivable invoices entered.  Xero requires all unpaid invoices whether they are to be received or paid to be entered prior to the conversion date, and the total of these much match to the dollar and cent the opening balance which is entered for the accounts.

Need more help on this, join the conversation.

February 18, 2012  

Xero Payroll – update from Xero Road Show

The Xero Roadshow came to Perth on Friday, I have been to the previous two events they had where it was held in a small room with about 20 Xero Partners, this time the room was at full capacity bringing in extra chairs with over 120 people.  This shows how more and more accountants and bookkeepers are embracing Xero and there will be more business using it.

Did you realise that Xero have not done any advertising in Australia, it has all been via social media and the uptake of the software has been amazing.  This shows how social media, twitter, facebook and blogging really do work! If you need help with social media make sure you contact e-assistant. However you will start to see advertising of Xero soon through banner advertising, so next time you talk about Xero and how much you love it more people will know what it is.

The main reason for attending the Xero Road Show was to find out about the Paycycle Integration into Xero.  Any of my clients requiring payroll I put them onto Paycycle paying a separate subscription for this, but mid last year it was announced that Xero had purchased Paycycle and were going to integrate it into the Xero software, and then better yet it would be included for no extra cost with the medium or large subscriptions.  This is on track to be fully integrated at the end of April and in the meantime have had to pay separately for Paycycle.  The great news is that from 1st March if you have a Xero and Paycycle subscription the Paycycle subscription will now be free! You may have to upgrade to a new pricing plan for Xero, but you will still be ahead financially.  See below to see which pricing plans suits you best with payroll:

If you are wondering why Paycycle is such a great payroll software then read more on my blog Why I am Loving Paycycle.