Xero Accounting Solution Reviews

“user friendly accounting features”

Pros

The features are very user friendly and easy to understand.

Cons

One downside is the limited analytical capability because there's no analysis code. The cash flow statement is probably the part I like least since although it can be reconciled, it doesn't feel very meaningful. In my case, it also integrates with local Singapore banks like DBS and UOB but not with international banks such as Citibank for transaction feeds.

“reliable bookkeeping and expense tracking”

Pros

It's a dependable platform that lets me handle all my accounting and bookkeeping tasks efficiently. The expense tracking and management features are especially useful.

Cons

I haven't run into anything annoying since it covers all of my accounting needs.

“clear dashboard and customization”

Pros

Right away the dashboard seems clear and simple to read, giving a good overview of the current financial position. It can also be customized which makes it even more useful.

Cons

The pricing is in line with other similar platforms but loyalty incentives would make it more appealing and help reduce the need to review pricing each year against comparable providers. Remote support could also be better since the helpdesk is not instantly available online and you have to rely on email.

“web-based accounting with handy integrations”

Pros

Xero runs fully online so you don't need to install anything on your computer. Also it is easy to give your accountant access when needed. The bank integrations are very useful as statements import automatically and the invoicing feature includes simple email reminders for overdue payments.

Cons

It does include a chart of accounts but if you want to customize it beyond the default setup, you may need outside assistance.

“bank syncing and smart categorization”

Pros

One thing that really worked well for me was how it linked directly to the bank account making it simple to match incoming transactions and sort them into the right categories. The integration with ReceiptBank was also a big plus.

Cons

You do need a decent accounting background to get the most out of this software especially when handling foreign exchange transactions.

“fantastic quickbooks alternative”

Pros

A really strong alternative to QuickBooks and the online support team responds very quickly.

Cons

The software complies with all GAAP standards for accounting reporting.

“clear layout and user friendly tools”

Pros

It is very easy to use. The information is laid out clearly so it's simple to view what you need at a glance. Most of the features are user friendly as well, even if it does take a bit of time to fully learn where everything is and how to move through the system.

Cons

Every now and then, it's tricky to remember how to trigger certain actions, like emailing pay slips. That said, there's plenty of guidance available through the support pages and the team when needed.

“excellent expense tracking and reconciliation”

Pros

Keeping track of expenses and managing them in Xero is easy. Bank reconciliation is another feature I really like and it also supports online payments.

Cons

I haven't run into any problems since it covers all of my accounting needs.

“flexible reporting and bank tracking”

Pros

Xero is pretty easy to use. Also it is responsive enough that almost anyone can use it without much prior experience. As soon as you have an internet connection, you can link all your bank accounts whether for payments or transfers and track them accurately and professionally. Plus it adapts well to different needs, whether you're a freelancer or part of a much larger company. Another big advantage is that it works as a central database for financial information, letting you quickly download documents and invoices. The mobile app is also very useful. You can scan documents and invoices to pull the information into the system and arrange payments without much effort. The reports are one of the best parts for me. They are detailed and comprehensive, covering all financial activity during the selected period.

Cons

There are no major problems worth mentioning. The only thing that does not always work the way I expect is recurring payments since every now and then I still have to handle part of that process manually.

“quick setup and ready to use”

Pros

Getting started with Xero takes very little effort. You just enter a few details and it's ready to use almost right away.

Cons

Even though it tries to make bookkeeping simple, it can sometimes simplify things too much and certain accounting treatments have to be manually enabled.

“invoicing works well”

Pros

Creating invoices online and emailing them to customers is convenient and works well.

Cons

Getting hold of customer support when there's a problem can be difficult.

“user friendly for daily accounting”

Pros

Working with Xero as part of my daily routine has been really comfortable. It's very user friendly and simple to use which makes everyday tasks much more manageable.

Cons

There are still a few areas where the developers could improve it. Some reporting features are missing and custom reports cannot be created. It's also not possible to run a report in a different currency from the one tied to the account. Another thing that would be helpful is automatic notifications to certain staff members when an invoice has been paid.

“poor user access controls”

Pros

It is easy to use once the bank feeds are integrated and working.

Cons

It's acceptable overall but there's a major design problem. User permissions cannot be restricted properly so if you set up a junior staff member to handle coding, they still end up being able to view every area including account balances, transactions, payroll and more. This has apparently been raised as a feature request for years, with close to 1,000 votes and nothing has been done about it. If I had known about this limitation earlier, I would never have switched to this tool.

“clean dashboard and fast reconciliation”

Pros

Xero is very simple and was usable almost immediately. The dashboard isn't cluttered or intimidating the way a lot of accounting platforms can be which made getting started much less of a hassle. The help guides and tutorials were also genuinely useful especially when I needed a quick refresher on how to do something. For my law firm, it worked especially well for IOLTA reconciliation. Once the software is connected to the right account, it makes it simple to reconcile incoming and outgoing payments as well as expenses. After everything is set up, I can log in soon after a purchase and reconcile accounts right away instead of digging through old receipts later and trying to remember what was done for a specific client.

Cons

The only real downside was having to repeatedly relink and then resync my bank account. To be fair,\ that may have been caused by the bank rather than the tool itself. Still, whenever it happened, it created a pretty frustrating process because I had to reconnect the account, reimport expenses and incoming payments and then double-check that everything had actually synced correctly.

“feature-packed and perfect fit”

Pros

It helps with both small and large accounting tasks and it also covers business needs like creating quotes. It comes with a huge range of features, many of them automated and it integrates with other programs such as Shopify which is really useful.

Cons

I honestly don't see any downside. It seems perfect for small business owners like me.

“user friendly dashboard and integrations”

Pros

The tool integrates well with other cloud-based tools like Flowlens which is really helpful. The dashboard is also user friendly so even people without an accounting background can use it comfortably every day.

Cons

At this point, everything has been working well and I haven't run into any issues with the features.

“fantastic reporting for small businesses”

Pros

Right away the variety of reporting tools stands out and the platform is very user friendly. Every pricing plan includes unlimited users which is a big plus. It also comes with automated bill and receipt capture and there's inventory management available if you need that feature. The 30-day trial gives you plenty of time to test it and paid plans starting at $12 per month feel very reasonable. Overall it's an excellent fit for small business owners.

Cons

One drawback is the lack of phone support. Help is available online but you cannot pick up the phone and speak with someone directly. Also, the basic plan puts limits on the number of bills and invoices which can be frustrating to work around.

“well-balanced features and usability”

Pros

The software is well balanced, with a user friendly setup and plenty of features that make it useful across different needs.

Cons

Getting it deployed was challenging and it took several days and a few attempts before everything was finally up and running.

“stripe integration saves time”

Pros

To me the standout feature for me has been the Stripe integration. It cuts out a huge amount of manual work when it comes to entering payments.

Cons

Most of the work in it is handled by my bookkeeper and accountant. If I had to manage everything on my own, I'd probably feel a little overwhelmed.

“real-time accounting companion”

Pros

Xero works really well as a financial tool for accountants and having everything integrated with real-time updates makes it very practical to use.

Cons

Since it is not very well known in larger companies some users may struggle a bit with the interface at first but it is still an excellent option overall.