Small Businesses Must Get Smarter With Accountants

UK (SANEPR.com) July 18, 2008 --Many small businesses are just not being smart when it comes to getting value from their accountant, and online accounting experts Xero ( http://www.xero.com) say that now is the key time for businesses to get to grips with the numbers and get highly valuable advice from their accountant.

Xero founder and UK MD Hamish Edwards comments, “You can treat an accountant like a bookkeeper, but isn’t it better to have a strategic advisor to help you take your business to the next level?”

Edwards, who is also Chairman of a successful accounting practice says cost is no longer a barrier. “Technology is changing all the time and that’s making strategic accounting advice much more affordable.”

Edwards says all small businesses should be proactive in talking to their accountants about how they can work smarter to deliver more value.

“Online software like Xero makes it possible for small business clients to do more administration themselves, freeing up their accountant to start doing analysis and planning to benefit their business.

“Think about the benefits for example of understanding how your debtor turnover affects your cash flow. That’s the kind of information that’s really worth having. And it could just be a question of working smarter.”

Other tips from Edwards on making sure you’ve got the right accountant include:
• Does your accountant understand your business?
• Are they interested in your success?
• Do they offer other services, such as preparing business plans?
• Can you get a quick answer to a simple question?
• Does your accountant offer long-term strategic advice and services like business planning?
• Do you feel comfortable talking to your accountant?
• Does your accountant offer free extras, like regular updates about business issues?

Xero provides small businesses and their advisers with one, up to date, easy to use, instantly accessible set of accounts and business information.

* You can view this item, along with other Xero news at http://blog.xero.com/

* Learn more about how Xero can help you http://www.xero.com/overview/

* Test drive Xero https://www.xero.com/signup/
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Contact:
Lucy Whittington
Xero
England,UK
0800 085 3719
ukpress@xero.com
https://www.xero.com