Why we’ve updated the bank reconciliation design

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At Xero, we’re committed to making our products more inclusive for small businesses and advisors around the world. A key part of this process is upgrading the design of features like bank reconciliation, to make them more accessible and remove technical restraints, so we can deliver features in the future that will help your business or practice thrive.

Bank reconciliation is one of Xero’s most loved features and a critical part of your accounting work. So we know the changes we’ve made recently can take some getting used to. As we continue to test, learn and refine the experience, please know that we’re listening to your feedback — both positive and negative. In the meantime, here’s some context on why we’ve designed it this way.

Haven’t noticed a change to your bank reconciliation screen? This update is being rolled out in a phased approach to all subscribers over the next couple of months.

Prioritising human-centric design

Customers are at the centre of everything we do here at Xero. So the accessibility of the products in our global small business platform is really important. Here’s some further context on why the design changes we’ve made to bank reconciliation are so important.

Aligning to accessibility standards

We’re always looking at how we can make Xero more user friendly to people with disabilities. The changes to white space and font size may be a little different to what you’re used to, but it means vision-impaired people can use Xero comfortably. Our commitment to making Xero more inclusive is aligned with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

A consistent look and feel

The new bank reconciliation design also brings it in line with other Xero features, like Single Touch Payroll in Australia and many others. Creating a consistent look and feel across our platform not only makes it a seamless experience for you, but also helps future customers learn how to use Xero.

Using Xero on any device

More and more, our customers are using a range of devices to log in to Xero. In addition, web usage globally is trending away from desktops. That’s why it’s important for our design to not only reflect the devices you use today, but those you may use in the future. Design elements like additional space on the screen make it easier for people to use Xero on their desktop, smartphone, tablet and more.

A new, condensed transaction view

One of the most common themes in your initial feedback on the new bank reconciliation experience, is the number of transactions you can see on your screen. Our product team is always working to test, learn and refine our products and takes your feedback seriously on how we can improve.

We’re scoping an optional, more condensed view, that will allow you to quickly scan transactions, giving you more flexibility in how you view your bank reconciliation screen. This is just one example of the way we’re continuing to update our products across Xero, based on your feedback and the evolving nature of design and technology standards.

A better experience for you into the future

One of the biggest challenges we face at Xero is that everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to how they use features like bank reconciliation. Our goal is always to create a better experience for you in the long run, but we know this may mean getting used to changes that feel a little uncomfortable at first (while others will be right up your alley).

Our updates to bank reconciliation extend beyond the design you see on your screen — they leverage Xero’s powerful automation capabilities to help you save time, reduce data entry and increase accuracy. While the design changes may take some getting used to, it will ultimately mean a more seamless experience — especially when learning how to use a new feature or switching between tabs.

As always, your opinions are important to our continuous improvement. We’ll continue to take your feedback on board as we test, learn and refine the bank reconciliation experience now and in the future. So please do reach out if you need support or want to share your feedback – we’re always listening.

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