This document summarizes Xero, a cloud accounting software. It discusses how Xero provides real-time access to financial information from any device through the cloud. This allows for better decision making and collaboration. Hood Sweeney offers implementation and support services to help businesses transition to using Xero for benefits like increased efficiency and insights. They provide various package options starting at $500 per month depending on a business's needs.

1. XERO
CLOUD ACCOUNTING

3. There’s a silver lining for your business
in the cloud. Who’s looking after you?
There’s an old saying that information is power. And it still
holds true.
That’s why the notion of cloud accounting is so compelling.
Before now, even the best accounting software could only
reveal how your business was tracking as one frozen moment
in time. Frustratingly, it’s been like seeing intermittent snapshots.
But in a 24/7, on-line world that’s changing from moment to
moment, how much more effective would your accounting
information be if you could see a live-feed of it, instead?
And how much more power would you have to get the edge
over any competition that doesn’t have this technology?
Accounting software that uses the cloud is becoming the
killer app for small- and medium-sized business owners,
allowing them to access their financial information anytime
and anywhere.
It also means you spend less time on mere compliance and
more time spotting opportunities.
Join a journey that started at
the dawn of the digital age.
We didn’t realise it when we started our business in 1976 but
our journey was timed perfectly to advance alongside the
personal computer.
In that same year, two young men built a DIY kit in the Jobs family
garage and called it the Apple 1.
(They only produced 200 of them and if you can find one today,
it could be worth $250,000…)
Since then, the breakneck evolution of computer technology
has changed the way we live.
And it’s certainly changed the way we work.
Today, at the centre of our lives and commerce, is ‘the cloud’:
the Internet-based archive of information we can access through
our computers, laptops, smart phones and mobile devices.
Instead of having all our music or photos in just one place, the
cloud makes them available on every device with access
to the Internet, everywhere and any time.
But it’s not just music and photo albums you can manage
this way.
Smart businesses are using the cloud and some clever software
to run their systems and give them amazing real-time access
to their data.
Of course, at Hood Sweeney, the most important development
is in the area of ‘cloud accounting’.
Cloud Accounting

4. Xero: your hero in cloud accounting.
Why Xero?
First and foremost, it’s easy to use, smart, flexible and secure.
It comfortably becomes an integral part of your business,
relieving your team of the tedious tasks and giving you the
tools to grow.
And, crucially, its smart reporting software provides a 24/7
real-time window to your financial position. Meaning your
entire financial affairs are accessible at the click of a button,
in the office or at the coffee shop.
So you have the power to make informed business decisions
whilst choosing between a short mac and a piccolo latte.
From baking to bricklaying, consulting to crafting, whatever
keeps you busy, Xero can make your business life easier.
Xero is on-line accounting software that connects you with
your numbers, your business and us at Hood Sweeney.
Anytime, anywhere and from any device.
Collaborate in the cloud.
Bringing more heads to your books is easy with Xero.
Just give us access and we’ll log in, look at your numbers
and give advice.
It’s perfect for spotting opportunities and nipping problems
in the bud, swiftly and easily.
Mobile access.
You can now access your accounts, check your balances,
upload receipts and invoice customers from your smartphone
or tablet with Xero’s iPhone or Android app, while you’re on
the road or having a quiet coffee.
Reconcile from anywhere.
Xero receives your bank statements automatically via a secure
connection, making it easy to reconcile and gain a complete
and up-to-date snapshot of your business before you’ve left
the breakfast table.
And if something doesn’t look right, you can leave a comment
so we can log in and give you a quick health check.
Painless payroll.
Xero is an accounting and payroll solution all rolled into one,
making manual entry a thing of the past. Super payments
and tax updates are automatic, plus a special portal gives
you a complete snapshot of your payroll and leave.
Invoicing helps you get paid faster.
With Xero, you can log in and send an invoice the minute a job
is done.
You’ll then be notified when your customer opens the invoice,
and they have the option of paying you on-line right away.
Integration with business applications.
Xero integrates with over 400 business apps, including:
■
■ Fathom for financial analysis, reporting, benchmarking
and consolidation
■
■ Deputy for employee scheduling, time and attendance
management
■
■ Vend for point-of-sale and inventory management
■
■ CorePlus for health-practice management
■
■ Cliniko, which is another alternative for health-practice
management, and
■
■ WorkflowMAX for client, job and document management.
We’ll provide an umbrella for all your cloud
accounting.
Like any software, output is only as good as the input it gets.
(You must have heard the computer expression ‘GIGO’: garbage
in; garbage out.)
And that’s where the wise heads at Hood Sweeney come
into the picture, by integrating our traditional accounting and
business advisory services with cloud accounting you can get
the most out of it.
Cloud Accounting
BY GETTING TO KNOW
YOU AS A PERSON,
WE UNDERSTAND
YOUR NEEDS.

5. With Hood Sweeney, you have at your disposal:
■
■ Outsourced bookkeeping including:
▪
▪ Bank reconciliations
▪
▪ Invoicing and debtors
▪
▪ Purchases and payments
▪
▪ Payroll and superannuation
■
■ Financial reporting
■
■ Management reporting
■
■ Taxation advice and business structuring
■
■ Taxation compliance and reporting
■
■ Key performance indicators/ dashboard reporting
■
■ Budgeting, cash-flow forecasting and financial modelling
■
■ Merger, acquisition and divestment support
■
■ Strategic business planning and performance coaching.
How we plan your journey into the cloud.
At Hood Sweeney, we share a journey with every one
of our clients.
By getting to know you as a person, we understand your needs,
your hopes, your fears and your dreams.
And with each year that passes, we find new ways to make
those dreams a reality by adding new resources, intelligence
and staying on the crest of our industry’s innovation.
Cloud accounting is a great example of that.
Now, whilst it does require something of a transition, with careful
planning to limit the effects on your day-to-day operations, we
can make it less of a rocky road and more of a seamless journey
for your business. Here’s how.
Financial Planning
Setup and
implementation
■
■ We work with you to create the transition for your accounting and related
processes, ensuring the integrity and security of your data is maintained every
step of the way.
Training period
■
■ We work with your team to ensure they can get the most out of the cloud for your
business and we assist with any issues that arise.
Ongoing support
■
■ We maintain contact to ensure you are completely satisfied with the outcome, as
well as to identify any additional improvements we can suggest for your business.
Scoping
■
■ We meet with you to discuss your needs and how cloud accounting might help
you answer them.
■
■ We set out a plan and timeline to deliver what we’ve agreed.

6. Our specialist team has their heads in the
cloud but their feet on the ground.
Hood Sweeney has a dedicated team of people who will help
you make the transition to cloud accounting, from the planning
phase through implementation to ongoing support.
Each is an experienced specialist in their individual role.
Together, they ensure we are not only at the forefront of cloud
technology but are confident we can provide you with the
best service available.
The benefits of cloudy thinking.
Like any business decision, putting your business through
such a major transition needs a cost/ benefit analysis.
(As your accountants, it’s the first question we would ask.)
Having already considered this scenario for a number of our
clients, we are confident that combining Hood Sweeney’s suite
of services with cloud accounting has the power to exceed your
expectations. Just some of the key benefits include:
■
■ Real-time, highly accurate information leads to better
decision making
■
■ You have 24/7 access anywhere on any device
■
■ All the software installations, IT maintenance and upgrades
are done for you, at source
■
■ You can collaborate with us, as your advisors, in real time
■
■ We have the ability to monitor every aspect of your business
■
■ You’ll derive greater value from the Hood Sweeney services
we already provide
■
■ You’ll have more time to focus on your business
■
■ More time to spend with your family
■
■ And more time to spend doing what you love
Most of all, however, you will have the peace of mind that your
business’s financial information is in the best hands, utilising the
best technology to take your operation to the next level.

7. Cloud Accounting
From $500 / month
■
■ Implementation and setup of
a new Xero ledger including
tailored chart of accounts,
setup of automatic bank feeds
and custom invoice templates
■
■ Essential bookkeeping including
▪
▪
Entering of receipts
▪
▪ Paperless payables
▪
▪ Bank reconciliations
■
■ Preparation and lodgement
of Business/Instalment Activity
Statements
■
■ Preparation of year end
Financial Statements
■
■ Preparation and lodgement
of year end Income Tax Return
■
■ Monthly Xero subscription
included
Starter
Includes
■
■ A business health check and
management meeting every
six months
■
■ Detailed tax planning report
■
■ Standard monthly
management reports
■
■ Unlimited phone and email
support for simple queries
■
■ Annual finance and banking
review
■
■ Annual risk and protection
review
■
■ Copies of Hood Sweeney
magazines Life + Toil and
Life + Practice
Enterprise
Includes Starter plus
From $700 / month
■
■ Detailed monthly management
reporting
■
■ Monthly management
meetings to discuss business
performance including KPI
setting and monitoring
■
■ Annual three-way forecast and
budget preparation (Balance
Sheet, Profit & Loss, Cashflow)
■
■ Priority phone and email
support
■
■ Complementary invitations to
Hood Sweeney seminars with
other like-minded business
leaders
Journey
Includes Enterprise plus
From $1,500 / month
■
■ Fringe Benefit Tax calculations, generation of statutory
declarations and preparation and lodgement of FBT
return as required
■
■ Management of payroll process, including PAYG
withholding, superannuation, Return to Work SA
and Payroll Tax
■
■ Debtor management
■
■ Customer credit assessments
■
■ Business performance coaching
■
■ Strategic planning and workshop facilitation
Additional Services
■
■ Recommendation, implementation and support
of Xero integrated add on solutions for:
▪
▪ Health practices
▪
▪ Retail
▪
▪ Hospitality
▪
▪ Agribusiness
▪
▪ Professional services
▪
▪ Not for profit
■
■ We can also source and customise Xero add on
solutions for many other industries
Industry Specific Options
Disclaimer
The above packages are starting points. Before you engage us, we will investigate your requirements to create a package that meets your specific needs.
Prices quoted above exclude GST.
OUR XERO PACKAGES
Whatever your business size, needs and budget,
Hood Sweeney has a package to suit.

8. Now, this is where your journey starts.
To join the journey with Hood Sweeney, or to find out more about what we can do for you, please contact us.
ADELAIDE
11–16 South Terrace Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 10516 Adelaide BC SA 5000
T 1300 764 200 (Australia-wide)
T +61 8 8203 8400 (international)
F (08) 8232 1968
info@hoodsweeney.com.au
www.hoodsweeney.com.au
WHYALLA
Suite 13, Level 1 City Plaza Building
15–15a Darling Terrace Whyalla SA 5600
T 1300 764 200
F (08) 8645 1059
KADINA
6a Graves Street Kadina SA 5554
Office hours are determined
by pre-arranged appointment.
T 1300 764 200
F (08) 8232 1968
HoodSweeney2016©.Theviewsexpressedinthis
brochure should not be treated as any form of
financial or taxation advice. Specific financial
or taxation advice should be sought in relation
to any matters referred to, and no responsibility
is taken for any errors or omissions contained herein.