Exciting times! We are yet again on the brink of the latest Xero platform migration and new features announcement!

Xero have informed us that they we be moving their customers data to a new platform.

Xero will be down while your data is being transferred. The transfers will take place between 7 and 9 pm on Saturdays starting in June.

You will be warned in advance of your move day and will also get a 15 minute warning just beforehand.

Once you have had the warning please do not go back into Xero for a couple of hours.

See the link below for up to date information about the move.

https://www.xero.com/blog/offline-status-page/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWVdOa1pXWmlabU15TW1KaCIsInQiOiJSanZIdUNoREhBMmR2cHVcL3F4aGxyN09yemVrcnY2MFh2cDVteUVVU0dBTVg4WFRuaXhaaFhcL1JHeU12eEMxZHZKOWRkUGw4SFJJOWswcHlrYTc4TE5aRUhDTEJ4dStLZHNMaHh6R0pqTVwvbz0ifQ%3D%3D 

Further work has been done on the ‘Search’ functionality. By using the accounts transactions report under the new reports tab you can search on any or multiple nominal headings and then filter the report to help narrow the search.

Setting up a bank account has been improved to give a step by step approach, this takes you through the bank feed process, which can either been done at this point (immediately with online banking with Metro bank) or can be completed later from the dashboard.

The mobile apps now come with a ‘try for free’ tab which creates a demo company. From here there is a short cut to finding an advisor should you need it.

For more information have a look at Xero’s website – www.xero.com 

We’re Cloud Accounting Specialists!

Remember, here at Lewis Brownlee, we are Platinum Partners with Xero. That means we are the forefront of their innovation and progress. So, if you are intrigued by Xero, do contact us today for your Free demo with one of our experts. They will be happy to walk you through!

Also, any questions on these or Xero in general please contact us. And remember, follow us on social media for all the latest Xero platform migration and new features announcements! You don’t want to miss out!

For those involved in farming and agriculture Xero now has as an add-on partner specific for your business, introducing: Farmflo

With bespoke modules to cover Dairy, Beef, Horticulture and Crops Farmflo has a lot to offer any working farm.

Some examples of the more detailed features are:

• Dairy: Keep track of individual animal profiles, treatments, movements and feeding. Customiseable reports can provide information on all aforementioned aspects as well as animal servicing and scanning.
• Beef: Keep easily accessible records on all animals health, weight and nutrition records. With the ability to record grass levels and produce optimisation graphs real time decisions for grazing can be made quickly and easily.
• Horticulture and Crops: Digital field mapping coupled with detailed soil, planting and fertilisation records will allow an effective plan to be created to maximise crop production.

Contact a member of our Xero team to find out more!

It has been a quiet month on the Xero front! So, we are going to spoil you with a few Xero updates and tips!

Barclays bank feeds not quite ready, hopefully fully running from the end of March, 1st week of April at the latest.

Negotiations going well with Lloyds and their bank feeds will follow.

Jon Jenkins from Smart Accountancy Systems Ltd has written a book on using Xero called Learning Xero and is available on Amazon.

For more information have a look at Xero’s website: www.xero.com

Any questions on these or Xero in general please contact us.

How We Can Help with Xero Updates and Tips

At Lewis Brownlee, we know how important it is to stay on top of the latest Xero updates and tips to ensure your business runs smoothly. While it’s been a quieter month for updates, it’s crucial to prepare for the new bank feed integrations with Barclays and Lloyds. These feeds can streamline your banking processes, and we’re here to help you get set up and running as soon as they’re live.

Empower Your Xero Knowledge

If you’re looking to expand your Xero expertise, Learning Xero by Jon Jenkins is a fantastic resource. Our team can also provide personalised training to help you make the most of Xero’s features, whether you’re a new user or want to fine-tune your skills.

Why Choose Us?

Our Xero specialists are ready to answer your questions and guide you through any challenges, from setting up bank feeds to troubleshooting issues. We stay updated on Xero’s latest developments, so you don’t have to. So, why not reach out and see how we can partner in your business success?

Contact us today to discover how we can support your business and help you maximise the benefits of Xero. Let us simplify your accounting so you can focus on growth.

This month’s Xero Add Ons!

Software that integrates with Xero to make managing you company easier and more efficient – we are looking at Tripcatcher…

Tripcatcher – The mileage expense app that integrates with Xero, saving you time and money.

• Calculate your journey distance using Google Maps
• Calculates the VAT you can claim on fuel
• Calculate your expense claim using approved mileage rates helping you to be HMRC compliant
• Submit your expense claims to Xero with minimum effort
• Free phone app (iOS and Android) with GPS tracking.
• Save time by entering recurring trips

For more information about the above click on the link below: 
https://www.xero.com/uk/add-ons/search/?q=tripcatcher 

Auto enrolment is now available with the following features:

• Staging dates – if not already enter Xero will enter for you
• Postponement date for both employees and the company
• Automatic assessments

Coming soon will be:

Automatic transfer of information to the pension provider

Automatic employee communications

Pension types available are:

• Net pay:
  • Pre Tax
  • Salary Sacrifice

• Relief at source post tax

Payroll Year end

Available from the 16 March:

• P60s in PDF format and emailable
• P11 report

Available after 5 April:

• Scottish tax codes
• FYS will be sent automatically
• The increase in the employers NI relief will be updated automatically
• The change from the 1060L to 1100L will be done automatically but not any other tax code.

For more information have a look at Xero’s website.

Any questions on these or Xero in general please contact us.

Introducing the New Xero Payroll Function

Xero has unveiled its new payroll function, a long-awaited feature that simplifies payroll for small businesses. This exciting addition integrates seamlessly with Xero’s platform, making it easier than ever to manage employee payments and compliance. Designed to save time and reduce hassle, the new Xero payroll function is set to transform how businesses handle payroll.

Exploring Xero’s Latest Innovation at Xerocon

This week some of the Lewis Brownlee team took time out of the office to attend “Xerocon” in London. And, what a worthwhile experience it was!

850 accountants in a room talking about accounting in the cloud and innovation. Then, most importantly, we all discussed how we can help small businesses grow.  All of the speakers were excellent. One particular highlight was a talk from Karren Brady who knows a great deal about running small businesses!

The big announcement from Xero was the introduction of its payroll function from March.  This is a long awaited enhancement to the package and it did not disappoint! Consequently, we’re excited to share the following link with you:

https://www.xero.com/blog/2015/02/getting-ready-uk-payroll-xero/?utm_sou…

If you are already using Xero and running your own payroll we need to discuss with you how to make the change to Xero payroll.  So, be sure to sign up before the end of March as the price is fixed for two years!

If you are not already on Xero because of the lack of payroll function, now is the time to act.

Please get in touch and we can talk you through how this can work brilliantly for you!