Energise your cloud accountancy journey

Setting your practice up to become cloud-based can be a bit like playing a game of Monopoly. It begins with the best of intentions, but after a few hundred rolls of the dice you can start to feel like there’s no end in sight. 

While figuring out how to finish that game of Monopoly remains a mystery, becoming market leaders in cloud accountancy can now be made easier with significantly fewer rolls of the dice, thanks to the launch of our new Energise webinar series. This new series follows the five stages of the Xero partner journey, supporting you and your team with the right content, at the right time, based on where you’re at. 

The Energise series is hosted by our Partner Consulting team, made up of trained accountants and industry experts that have been there and done it before in UK accounting practices. With a wealth of experience and knowledge of Xero, they understand the challenges first-hand. They’ll provide greater clarity on the steps that your firm needs to pass ‘Go’.

To help you understand which webinars might best suit you and your practice, select which stage you think you’re at below and check out the suggested webinars to get you started. 

Stage 1: Cloud Curious

“I’ve just signed up to Xero but need some support on how to get going.”

If you’re a ‘Cloud Curious’ practice, you’re just getting started with online accounting software. You have a real desire to kick things off, but need support getting your team familiar with digital workflows, and feeling confident with Xero overall. To you, understanding some of the key considerations, tips and tricks to get the process started is of the utmost importance.

Webinars to get you started:

• Kickstart your Xero journey: Get tips for a successful Xero project, including key considerations when getting started, client segmentation, and how to manage conversions at scale.
• Set up for success: Learn how to get the most out of Xero HQ and the Advisor Directory.
• What businesses want from their advisor: Discover what businesses want from an advisor and what resources are available to help you succeed.

Stage 2: Cloud Emerging

“I’m actively using Xero for my own books and have a few of my clients using it too. Our staff have different levels of knowledge when it comes to digital and need some upskilling.”

If your firm is at the ‘Cloud Emerging’ stage, you’re probably looking to gain a deeper understanding of how to easily convert and set clients up on Xero. You want to know why the cloud is beneficial for your practice and clients. Building organisational knowledge of Xero beyond the surface level will help make this easier to expand your base of cloud-based clients and you are focussed on doing so.

Webinars to get you started:

• Migrate to Xero: Learn how to migrate multiple clients over to Xero, plus the techniques and tools available to make this easier.
• Client onboarding: Identify your clients’ software needs and bring them on your Xero journey.
• Manage change: Change can be unsettling. Equip yourself with the tools and know-how to ensure a smooth and enjoyable move to Xero.

Stage 3: Cloud Accountant

“About a third of my clients are using Xero and we have a number of active users internally. My team is fairly swamped or overwhelmed and struggling to find efficient solutions.”

If you’re a ‘Cloud Accountant’, you’re likely aiming to uncover more key insights including data security, and developing a digital mindset. There is a focus on advancing your team’s understanding of what clients want in order to streamline the migration process and work towards getting the majority of them working on Xero.

Webinars to get you started:

• Desktop to Xero: Take a tour of Xero’s key features and hear the answers to some frequently asked questions.
• Security in the cloud: Find out what Xero does to keep your data secure and learn how you can protect your practice.

Stage 4: Digital Driver

At least half of my clients are using Xero and many are connected to add-ons such as Hubdoc, Xero Payroll and Xero Expenses. I’m looking for further support on the change management journey.”

Being a ‘Digital Driver’ means you’ve adopted the cloud and have a preferred platform and app stack. You’re interested in making sure you’re on top of your Xero game and in the know on the latest updates and new products. You’re looking for ways to get the most out of the app marketplace and seeking advice on specific areas your practice should be focusing on to get to the next level.

Webinars to get you started:

• Get to know Xero Tax: Get to know Xero’s beautiful, cloud-based accounts production and tax solution available at no extra cost for Xero partners.
• Embrace change: Keep things simple, understand the warning signs and learn how to manage change within your practice.

Stage 5: Future Advisor

“The vast majority of my clients are using Xero with many connected to add-ons such as Hubdoc, Xero Projects and Xero Payroll. I’d like strategic support with my business planning.”

For a ‘Future Advisor’, the focus will be on improving efficiencies and creating a team of Xero experts. You use Xero’s app advisory as a primary source of income and you manage complex migrations. You have project management as part of your services and need to make sure that you continue staying on top of which products are best for you and your clients. You want to remain market leaders in providing insights to your clients and keeping your finger on the pulse with any useful updates within Xero to continue improving your advisory services offering.

Webinar to get you started:

• Discover the Xero App Marketplace: Explore the benefits of Xero’s ecosystem, navigate the marketplace and find the right apps for your practice.

The beauty of the Energise series is that it allows members of your team to learn at their own pace. You may have some staff at stage 1 and some at stage 4 or 5. That’s perfectly natural. The portal is designed to be self-serving and means that it’s not a one-size fits all approach. Your workers are empowered to consume the content which is relevant to where they are at as individuals and not where the practice as a whole sees itself. We’ll also be continually adding new and exciting webinars for every stage of the journey to make sure you keep enhancing your cloud accountancy capabilities.

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Source: Xero Blog