Biz News

This is a guest post from True North Accounting, a Xero Gold Partner.

As Creative Director at a marketing firm, Rob Sawchuck noticed independent small businesses rack up social media followings that his corporate clients would drool over. He wanted to try his own start-up and social media experiment. Thus, his custom design and print shop – Turkey & Pistols – was born.

He quickly found a following and, within four years, his side hustle became his full-time career. 

At True North Accounting, we work exclusively with small business owners like Rob. If you’re thinking about levelling up your side hustle to your day job, here are a few things to consider. 

Be ready to learn as you go

“I wasn’t aware of how many jobs would keep arising,” says Rob. “I had to learn how to bookkeep, invoice, pack shirts, and fulfill delivery.”

His advice: It’s OK

To celebrate reaching the milestone of supporting one million subscribers across Australia – the Xero team is turning a spotlight on some of the people who’ve made it all possible. From our earliest customers and advisors to the employees and app partners who’ve been there along the journey, we explore how they too have evolved and adapted over the years. And, in doing so, we uncover what truly makes them one in a million.

In this piece, we talk to Cecile Boulter, Sales Enablement Specialist – Training and Delivery at Xero. An accountant and bookkeeper in a not so distant previous life, Cecile tells us how she’s found her purpose in helping others to learn and grow.

When did you first hear about Xero?

In 2010, I was working as an accountant and had been searching for a software solution to help me meet my annual target. I needed

To celebrate reaching the milestone of supporting one million subscribers across Australia – the Xero team is turning a spotlight on some of the people who’ve made it all possible. From our earliest customers and advisors to the employees and app partners who’ve been there along the journey, we explore how they too have evolved and adapted over the years. And, in doing so, we uncover what truly makes them one in a million.

In this piece, we talk to Guy Pearson, one of the Founders of Practice Ignition. The creators of software that eliminates friction for accountants and bookkeepers by sending clients a single proposal they can read, sign and pay in one place. Guy tells us how Practice Ignition has grown since its early days as a bold startup (complete with space suit-wearing staff), into the mature business it is today.

When did you first hear about

To celebrate reaching the milestone of having one million subscribers across Australia, the Xero team is turning a spotlight on some of the people who’ve made it all possible. Like Xero, our customers, advisors, app partners and their employees who’ve come along on the journey, have evolved and adapted over the years. We explore how and, in doing so, uncover what truly makes them one in a million.

In this piece, we talk to Aris Allegos, one of the Founders of Moula. He explains how the financial app has grown from humble beginnings in a small Melbourne office to a trusted brand that’s helped thousands of businesses grow.

When did you first hear about Xero?

I started my career in accounting, so always kept an eye on what was happening in the industry. Xero kept coming up in conversation – it came up with numerous colleagues – again and

It’s been a difficult year for many small businesses in the UK. They have had to contend with challenges around COVID-19 as well as uncertainties associated with Brexit. And that’s before we take into account upcoming changes to Making Tax Digital (MTD).

Since it was first implemented in the UK almost two years ago, there have been a number of important changes to the way small businesses manage and report their tax. We understand that it isn’t always easy to stay on top of these types of changes. So we are doing everything we can to keep you updated, so you can prepare. 

New changes to MTD

The next major milestone is for all VAT-registered businesses to sign up to MTD for VAT by April 2022. After that date, all VAT-registered businesses will need to keep digital records and submit their VAT Returns using MTD from within Xero or other

The arrival of COVID-19 has transformed the lives of small business owners across the country. In Victoria, under shifting waves of lockdown restrictions, many have seen sales plummet and their doors temporarily close. As the state moves into new phases of recovery, the key to not only your business’ survival, but its continued growth, lies in boosting its digital capabilities across everything from online payments to automated processes.

To support any small businesses that are beginning their online journey, we’re excited to announce that Xero has partnered with the Victorian government’s Small Business Digital Adaptation Program. To guide you in getting started, we’ve answered some key questions below.

What is the Victorian Government’s Small Business Digital Adaptation Program?

Compromising of a $20m investment in the sector, this program is designed to increase Victorian small business’ digital capability by encouraging them to trial new software. The program is open to