Xero is widely used by small businesses and accountants, and for good reason. Cloud accounting can make records easier to access, reduce manual data entry and give both the business and accountant a clearer view of the bookkeeping.
But using Xero does not automatically make an accountant better, more accurate or easier to work with. The software is only one part of the service.
Xero can be a very useful tool
A well-run Xero file can bring bank transactions, sales, purchases and other records together in one place. It can reduce duplication and make it easier to see what has happened during the year rather than waiting until the accounts are prepared.
For businesses with regular bookkeeping, VAT or multiple payment channels, that visibility can be particularly useful.
What Xero cannot do for you
Software does not know whether every transaction has been coded correctly, whether a balance is supported, whether VAT has been treated properly or whether something unusual needs further investigation.
Bank feeds and automation can speed up the process, but poor bookkeeping can still produce poor information. A neat dashboard is not a substitute for reconciliations, evidence and professional judgement.
What matters in an accountant
When choosing an accountant, the software they use is worth asking about, but it should not be the main reason for your decision.
More important questions are whether the work is accurate, whether you understand what is being done, whether fees and scope are clear, and whether the accountant understands how your business operates.
A good accountant should also be able to explain why a particular system is suitable for you rather than pushing every client into the same setup.
Technology should make the work easier
The best use of accounting technology is often quite boring: fewer duplicated entries, cleaner records, better access to information and a more efficient handover between the business and accountant.
That is more valuable than describing a practice as modern simply because it uses cloud software.
Choosing a Xero accountant
If your business already uses Xero, look for an accountant who can work with the records as they actually exist, identify what needs improving and avoid changing systems simply for the sake of it.
Thames Williams uses digital accounting tools, including Xero, where they suit the business. The technology supports the accounting work; it is not the service in itself.
You can read more about our services or book a call if you want help getting the accounting side of your business into better shape.
