Bookkeeping & Xero
Keeping the records straight, and getting Xero doing the work it should.
These answers provide general information, not advice tailored to your circumstances. Rules can change and exceptions may apply — speak to the CASS team before making a tax, accounting or financial decision.
Yes. CASS is a Xero Platinum Partner, which reflects the volume of work we do in Xero and our experience supporting businesses that use it. It also means we can offer preferential pricing through CASS under our current subscription arrangements, confirmed with the VAT treatment and terms before you proceed. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. We hold the subscription and bill you for it at our preferential pricing through CASS. We'll confirm the current price, VAT treatment and subscription terms before you proceed, along with your access arrangements and how a future handover would work. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. Xero plans can generally be changed as your business needs develop, subject to the features and terms available at the time.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes, up or down, as the business changes. We'll review it with you rather than let you drift onto the wrong plan — and if your volumes have dropped, we'll tell you to downgrade.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Where Xero support is part of your agreed services, yes — routine questions are included and you can ask your named contact. We respond during office hours. If your question needs investigation, we'll explain the next step and give you an expected response time. For urgent matters, please call us and explain the deadline. Training or a larger piece of configuration work is quoted separately, and we'll say so before starting.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
You can do your own bookkeeping if you understand the records required, keep them current and are confident that VAT and accounting treatments are being handled correctly.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. You can take a Xero subscription through CASS at our preferential pricing without taking any bookkeeping, accounts or other accounting services from us. We'll confirm the current price, VAT treatment and subscription terms before you proceed. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Usually, yes — this is a billing transfer rather than a data migration: your organisation, history, bank feeds, users and settings stay where they are. We check the existing subscription arrangements, permissions and any approvals needed before proceeding, and confirm your access arrangements and how a future handover would work. Your business records remain yours.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. Xero provides mobile apps for a range of everyday tasks, although some functions are easier to complete in the full browser version.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Bank feeds, bank rules, repeating invoices and document capture can remove a lot of repetitive bookkeeping. Integrations can automate more of the workflow where the business needs them.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Xero connects with many third-party applications for document capture, payments, expenses, reporting and industry-specific processes.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Selected Xero plans include multi-currency features. We will check whether this is needed when recommending a plan.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. You can create and send branded sales invoices, track whether they are paid and send reminders.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
No. Xero is the accounting core, but some businesses also need specialist systems for stock, projects, practice management, ecommerce or other operations.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero offers payroll features in the UK, with employee limits and functionality depending on the subscription. We can advise on the right setup.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Supplier bills can be entered, approved and monitored so you can see what is due and when.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Remote training allows us to work directly in your setup while sharing screens and demonstrating practical tasks.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Accurate, current bookkeeping gives you a much clearer picture of what is owed, what needs paying and how much cash is really available.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero allows you to invite your accountant or bookkeeper as a user so you can both work from the same accounting data. Access can be controlled through user permissions.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. You can invite users and give them access appropriate to their role. They call be logged in and working at the same time
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes, where suitable integrations are available. Tools such as Dext Commerce can bring supported sales channels and payment-provider data into Xero. We agree how transactions will be posted and check that sales are not duplicated between the shop, marketplace and payment provider. Integration availability, subscription costs and the level of detail needed are confirmed as part of the setup.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. We regularly help businesses bring overdue records up to date. Catch-up work is priced as a one-off on top of the monthly fee, and it is on the pricing page with everything else — tell it how far behind you are and you will see an indicative cost. Prices shown are plus VAT. The figure on the pricing page is indicative, based on the information you give us: we verify the scope on your Discovery Call and confirm your fee in a written proposal before any work begins.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Credit control support can be discussed as part of your service. We will agree exactly what communication and follow-up you want us to handle.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can identify errors, correct the records and put better processes in place so the information remains reliable.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can review tax rates and historic entries and advise on any VAT return corrections that may be needed.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can identify duplicates and remove or reverse them carefully without damaging the audit trail.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can diagnose the problems, agree priorities and carry out a structured clean-up.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We will trace the difference, which may involve opening balances, duplicated feeds, deleted transactions or reconciliation errors.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can review the reconciliation history, identify missing or duplicated items and correct the position.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We'll assess the work required and recommend the best approach.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Absolutely. We regularly help businesses catch up and get everything back on track.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can review available integrations and help with setup where practical. Some systems may require support from the software provider or an integration specialist.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Absolutely.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can help maintain customer balances, allocate receipts and provide information to support credit control.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can transfer the relevant information and configure Xero around the way your business works.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can plan and manage a migration from QuickBooks to Xero.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can review your Sage data, agree what should be transferred and manage the move to Xero with as little disruption as possible.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can use the available records to create a suitable opening position and help you move to a more reliable cloud-based system.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can help capture, review and record supplier invoices using suitable cloud software and agreed approval processes.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Possibly. You can take a Xero subscription through CASS without any accounting services. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately. We'll talk through the level of support you need and confirm what we can provide and the fee before anything starts — some services are only available alongside our ongoing monthly bookkeeping.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes, where appropriate and agreed in advance.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Training can cover more detailed reporting, controls, tracking, workflows and other features relevant to experienced users.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can turn up-to-date bookkeeping into regular reports and practical insights through our Strategic Review & Insights service.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We recommend apps only where they solve a real problem and fit the way your business works.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Regular bank and credit card reconciliations are an important part of making sure your records are complete and accurate.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can assess settings, accounts, bank reconciliations, tax rates, user access and reporting to identify improvements.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We configure Xero around your reporting needs, processes and responsibilities rather than relying on a generic setup.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Usually, yes. We check the existing subscription arrangements, the permissions and any approvals needed, then arrange the appropriate access and, where relevant, the subscription transfer. Your business records remain yours, and we confirm your access arrangements and how a future handover would work. Timing depends on cooperation from the existing provider.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. We can work alongside internal staff or another bookkeeper, with clear responsibilities agreed from the outset.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. Whether you're starting from scratch or already have records in place, we'll pick things up from where you are.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Our practice is built around Xero, so businesses using our ongoing accounting services will normally need to use or move to Xero.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes, we specialise exclusively in Xero because we believe it offers the best experience for our clients. If you’re not currently using Xero we can help move you across.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can manage the move from your current software to Xero, including planning, data transfer, setup, checks and support after going live.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can train several team members and tailor the session to their different responsibilities.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes — preferential pricing through CASS, under our current subscription arrangements, with or without accounting services from us. We'll confirm the current price, VAT treatment and subscription terms before you proceed. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. Training can be delivered one-to-one and tailored to the tasks you need to complete.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes, where it's part of your agreed services, so you have someone to ask when questions arise. We respond during office hours. If your question needs investigation, we'll explain the next step and give you an expected response time. For urgent matters, please call us and explain the deadline. We'll confirm what's included, and anything beyond it is quoted separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. CASS can support online sellers with bookkeeping in Xero and help connect suitable sales platforms using tools such as Dext Commerce. We look at sales, fees, refunds, settlements and VAT rather than recording only the amount that reaches your bank. The right setup depends on your platforms, volumes and countries of sale, and we confirm the integrations and service scope before starting.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Our ongoing accounting and software support is centred on Xero. We can, however, help you migrate from QuickBooks, FreeAgent or another system to Xero.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
CASS is a Xero-focused practice. We can help businesses move from Sage to Xero, but we do not provide ongoing Sage support.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero can connect to many banks and automatically import transactions through bank feeds, subject to bank availability and authorisation.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Start with sales excluding VAT where applicable, then deduct product costs, platform and payment fees, packaging, fulfilment, delivery and the expected cost of returns. Advertising costs can also change the picture. Look at profit by product or channel rather than relying on the headline selling price. CASS can help build reporting that shows which sales contribute enough towards overheads and profit.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
We use secure cloud tools that allow you to photograph, upload or email documents, reducing the need to keep and deliver paper records.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
The timetable depends on the quality and volume of the data, the system you are leaving and the complexity of your setup. We review it, agree what information and historical periods are brought across and give you a clear plan — including anything that needs to remain in an accessible archive. Cooperation from existing providers affects timing.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
It depends on the records available, the systems involved and cooperation from your existing provider. We write for professional clearance and the records, agree what information and historical periods come across, set up software access and agree a cut-off date so nothing falls between the two of us. You don't have to have an awkward conversation first, and there is no need to wait for your year end.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
It depends on your existing software, the volume and quality of the records and what history you want brought across. We review it first, agree the scope and give you a clear plan — and we explain any limitations, including anything that needs to stay in an accessible archive rather than transfer.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
HMRC and Companies House record-retention requirements vary depending on whether you trade through a company, as a sole trader or partnership, and on the type of record. Keep records for at least the statutory period that applies to you.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero subscriptions are on our pricing page with everything else, with our preferential pricing through CASS already applied, so you see a current figure rather than a stale one. Tell it roughly how many invoices and bills you handle and whether you need payroll, and it works out which plan fits and what it costs. Prices are plus VAT, and we confirm the current price, VAT treatment and subscription terms before you proceed. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
We update your bookkeeping at the frequency agreed for your business. Where daily processing is included, that means working days, and it depends on records being available — missing information, queries and adjustments can affect when transactions are finalised. Other packages are weekly or monthly.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
We respond during office hours. If your question needs investigation, we'll explain the next step and give you an expected response time. For urgent matters, please call us and explain the deadline.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Record them separately from gross sales, using the platform’s transaction and settlement reports. A refund reduces the original sale where appropriate, fees are assessed as costs, and chargebacks need review to establish what happened. VAT treatment can differ between the sale and each fee. CASS can help map these transactions into Xero and reconcile the resulting payouts without double-counting sales.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Yes. We use cloud technology to give clients faster access to information, simpler processes and better visibility over their finances.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
It can be. We can offer preferential pricing through CASS under our current subscription arrangements, compared with subscribing direct, and you don't need to take any accounting services from us to use it. We'll confirm the current price, VAT treatment and subscription terms before you proceed. Taking a Xero subscription through CASS does not create an accounting engagement. Any additional services and support will be agreed separately.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Xero is excellent at holding accurate records and showing you what is in them. What it cannot do is decide what should go in, check that it went in correctly, or tell you what the numbers mean for the decision you are about to make. Good software plus nobody looking at it is still nobody looking at it.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero uses established security measures, but users must also protect their accounts with strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and sensible access controls.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Absolutely.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Yes. We can start with the basics and build confidence at a comfortable pace.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
We can keep your accounting records up to date, reconcile bank and credit card accounts, process transactions, manage customer and supplier records and provide regular financial information.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Typically, we need access to bank information, sales records, supplier invoices, receipts and details of any transactions that are not clear from the records.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
When bookkeeping is behind, you can't rely on the accounting system to tell you current profit, cash commitments, customer debts or VAT. Decisions then start being made from the bank balance or incomplete information.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Xero is cloud accounting software that allows businesses and their advisers to work from the same up-to-date financial information.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
A setup may include organisation details, financial settings, bank feeds, chart of accounts, invoice templates, users, opening balances and agreed integrations.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Keep sales invoices and the invoices or receipts supporting business purchases and expenses. Bank transactions on their own do not always explain what was bought or whether the cost has the correct tax treatment.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Bookkeeping maintains the records: transactions recorded, bank accounts reconciled, invoices and receipts filed, so the numbers are accurate and current. Accounting interprets and reports those records: statutory accounts, tax returns and the management reporting you make decisions from. The two overlap, and good bookkeeping is what makes the accounting useful rather than historic.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
A year-end or VAT quarter-end can be convenient, but it is not essential. We will recommend a suitable date based on your circumstances.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Ideally, set Xero up when the business starts or as soon as you decide to use it. Starting with clean opening balances and bank feeds is much easier than rebuilding several months of activity later.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
For most small businesses it comes down to volume and payroll. If you raise a handful of invoices a month, an entry-level plan is usually plenty. If you're running payroll, dealing in more than one currency, tracking projects or processing a lot of bills, you'll need one of the higher plans. Our pricing page asks for those volumes and tells you which plan fits and what it costs — including if that's a cheaper plan than you're on now.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
The right plan depends on your transaction needs, payroll, reporting and additional features. We will review your business and recommend the most appropriate subscription.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
We believe Xero gives small and medium-sized businesses a strong combination of accessibility, automation, reporting and integration with other cloud tools.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
A marketplace or payment provider may deduct fees, refunds, chargebacks or reserves before paying you. The payout may also combine sales from different dates. Recording the bank receipt as total sales can therefore give a misleading picture of turnover and costs. Reconcile the settlement report to the individual sales and deductions. CASS can help set up a process that explains the difference.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Outsourcing gives you accurate, up-to-date records without taking time away from running your business. It also gives you access to an experienced team rather than relying on one person.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
We agree in advance what information and historical periods will be brought across, then check the migration and explain any limitations. Some older records or attachments may need to remain in an accessible archive rather than transfer directly, so you keep them without them sitting inside the new system. Timing depends on the records available, the systems involved and cooperation from existing providers.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
We agree what history is transferred or retained before the migration starts, check the result and explain any limitations. Some older information or attachments may stay available in your previous system or in an accessible archive rather than transferring into Xero. What is practical depends on the system you are leaving and the data it can export.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Your business records remain yours. Where CASS administers the subscription, subscription administration and user access are separate from ownership of the records: we explain the access arrangements and permissions, and how a future handover or subscription transfer would work, before you proceed.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
Your business records remain yours. Subscription administration and user access are separate things from ownership of the records, so we confirm your access arrangements, the permissions involved and how a future handover would work — including what a transfer would need if you moved the billing back or moved elsewhere.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026