Whether you’re brand new to Xero or you’ve been using it for years, there’s a good chance you’re not making full use of everything it can do.
We speak to clients all the time who are looking for ways to save time, stay organised, and reduce admin. And the good news is: Xero has plenty of built-in tools to help with just that.
In this blog, we’ve pulled together our go-to tips for making your accounting process smoother, quicker, and less of a headache, plus answers to the most common questions we get asked about Xero.
Top Tips to Get More From Xero
Xero is more than just a tool to log your income and expenses.It can automate tasks, reduce errors, and give you better visibility over how your business is doing. Here are a few features we think are worth exploring:
Set Up Bank Feeds
Connecting your bank account to Xero means transactions will pull through automatically, so you won’t need to manually enter payments or income. It keeps your books up to date and makes bank reconciliation much quicker.
Use Repeating Invoices and Bills
If you regularly send invoices for the same amount or pay the same monthly bills (like software subscriptions), Xero lets you automate these. Just set the schedule, and Xero will do the rest, no need to manually raise the same invoice each month.
Create Bank Rules
Bank rules help you categorise regular transactions automatically. For example, if you always code fuel from a certain supplier to motor expenses, Xero can do that for you. It’s a simple way to save time and reduce the risk of errors.
Build Custom Reports
You can tailor reports in Xero to reflect the information that matters most to your business, like profit margins, cash flow trends, or performance by customer or project. It’s a great way to stay in control without digging through data manually.
Try Xero Projects
Perfect for service-based businesses, Xero Projects lets you track time and costs for specific jobs or clients. This makes it easier to measure profitability by project, bill more accurately, and understand which types of work are most valuable to your business.
Make the Most of Hubdoc
If you hate data entry, Hubdoc is a lifesaver. It allows you to snap a photo of a receipt or forward bills via email, and it pulls the key information straight into Xero. Depending on your subscription, it’s included for free and can really speed things up.
FAQs: What Clients Often Ask About Xero
We often hear the same questions from clients who are getting started with Xero, so here’s a quick run-through of the most common ones and what you need to know.
How much does Xero cost?
Xero offers a few different pricing tiers:
- Ignite – best for freelancers, sole traders and new businesses
- Grow – ideal for most small businesses
- Comprehensive – includes extras like multi-currency and more advanced payroll features
- Ultimate – includes even more extras such as advanced cash-flow
The cost depends on what you need, but the flexibility means you can choose a plan that grows with your business.
Can I access Xero from my phone?
Yes, the Xero mobile app works on iOS and Android. You can send invoices, reconcile transactions, and check your accounts on the move, really useful if you’re often out and about.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, Xero offers a 30-day free trial. You’ll get access to almost all features, which gives you a good chance to explore how it works before committing.
Does Xero support multiple currencies?
Yes, but only with the Premium plan. If you work with overseas clients or suppliers, this feature can be really helpful for managing exchange rates and reconciling international payments more easily.
Is training available for new users?
Definitely. Xero provides free webinars, how-to articles, video tutorials, and even a demo company you can use to practice without touching your real data. There are also certification courses available if you want to go further. We’re always happy to walk clients through the basics or help troubleshoot when needed.
In Summary
Xero is a powerful accounting tool but like any software, it works best when you know how to use it. Automating regular tasks, customising your reports, and making the most of features like Projects and Hubdoc can save you hours of admin each month.
It’s also fully compliant with Making Tax Digital (MTD), which is becoming increasingly important for small businesses and sole traders. If you’re not sure whether MTD applies to you yet, or you’re unsure how to get ready, check out our blog on MTD here. Now is the perfect time to get on top of it.
Need Help With Xero or Making Tax Digital?
At Venton, we help businesses not only get the most out of their accounting software, but also stay compliant with the latest HMRC requirements including MTD for Income Tax and VAT.
Whether you’re already using Xero or just getting started, we can support you with:
- Xero setup and training
- Ongoing bookkeeping and software support
- Guidance around MTD for ITSA (coming soon for many sole traders and landlords)
- VAT submissions through MTD-compliant software
We’re here to make the numbers easier and make sure you’re always one step ahead, get in touch!