What Xero is (in plain English)

• Xero is cloud accounting built for small businesses. You log in from anywhere, your data stays in sync in real time, and you can invite your team and advisor with unlimited users on all plans. It keeps the books tidy so you can focus on the work that grows the business. (xero.com)

Why it matters for a solid Back Office

• A strong back office runs on reliable data, repeatable processes, and clear responsibilities. Xero gives you clean bank feeds, smart automation, and always‑on visibility, so routine tasks (paying bills, chasing invoices, closing the month) happen faster and with fewer errors. That means better cash control, fewer surprises, and less time stuck in spreadsheets. (xero.com)

The core features you’ll actually use

• Bank connections and reconciliation: Connect to hundreds of US banks and credit unions, then reconcile quickly with AI‑powered suggestions and period‑end checks. It’s simple, accurate, and built for daily use. (xero.com)

• Online invoicing and payments: Create and send invoices, add a payment service, and let Xero handle reminders. You get paid faster and reconcile the deposit in a click. (xero.com)

• Bills and expenses with automated data capture: Snap a photo or forward a bill to Hubdoc and let Xero extract the key details automatically. The source doc stays attached for audit‑readiness. (xero.com)

• Projects and job tracking: Track time and costs, see profit by project, and invoice in a couple of taps. It’s great for service teams that live by jobs and milestones. (xero.com)

• Payroll in the US (via Gusto): Run payroll, file taxes, and sync payroll totals straight into Xero. It’s a preferred partnership designed for one login and smooth month‑end. (xero.com)

• Multi‑currency: Send invoices, pay bills, and report in multiple currencies (when you choose the Established plan). (xero.com)

• Real‑time reporting and dashboards: From the at‑a‑glance dashboard to Business Snapshot and cash‑flow tools, you’ll always know what’s happening with money in and out. (xero.com)

• Mobile apps for the day‑to‑day: Reconcile over coffee, send an invoice on site, or approve expenses on the go with the Xero Accounting and Xero Me apps. iOS and Android supported. (xero.com)

New: JAX, your AI financial superagent

• Xero’s AI, called JAX (Just Ask Xero), helps with everyday tasks and insights. Ask questions in natural language, get instant views of cash flow and margins, draft quotes and invoices, and even auto‑reconcile straightforward bank lines with high confidence (you stay in control). It’s rolling out with expanding capabilities through 2025. (xero.com)

Works with the tools you already use

• Plug into a wide range of apps from the Xero App Store (payments, inventory, ecommerce, reporting, time tracking, and more). You can browse ratings, connect in minutes, and keep data flowing between systems. Less re‑keying, fewer errors. (apps.xero.com)

• Bank feeds keep getting better. Xero’s partnerships (including Plaid) are expanding high‑quality, direct connections across US banks and credit unions, boosting reliability and data quality. (xero.com)

Collaboration with your accountant (and why that’s gold)

• Invite your accountant or bookkeeper into Xero with the right access, share the same live data, and tighten month‑end routines. If you’re an accounting firm, the Xero Partner Program adds training, practice tools, and dedicated support to help you standardize and scale advisory work. (xero.com)

Pricing, plans, and trial (US)

• Xero offers tiered plans — Early, Growing, and Established — so you can start lean and scale. Your first month is free, and you can switch plans as you grow. Multi‑currency is in Established. (xero.com)

How Xero strengthens your Back Office (by process)

• Order‑to‑Cash: Send quotes → convert to invoices → collect online → reconcile automatically. Fewer touches, faster cash. (xero.com)

• Procure‑to‑Pay: Capture vendor bills with Hubdoc, approve and pay, and keep documents attached to every transaction for clean audit trails. (xero.com)

• Record‑to‑Report: Lock down month‑end with period reconciliation, business snapshots, and consistent mappings from payroll and apps. Close faster with fewer adjustments. (xero.com)

• People & Payroll: For US teams, Gusto handles pay runs and tax filings, then syncs summaries back to Xero — no double entry. Employees can self‑serve pay info and expense claims. (xero.com)

• Cash Management: Real‑time bank feeds, payment integrations, and short‑term cash flow views help you spot gaps early and act before they become fires. (xero.com)

Who Xero fits best (and what to watch)

• Best for: Owner‑led US businesses and lean finance teams that want automation, mobile workflows, and a flexible app ecosystem without per‑user fees. Advisors who want one source of truth with clients will love it too. (xero.com)

• Good to know: In the US, payroll runs through Gusto today, with a deeper “Xero Payroll powered by Gusto” experience being piloted — so check where the latest rollout stands for your state and needs. Multi‑currency requires the Established plan. (xero.com)

A quick start checklist (realistic and easy)

• Connect your main bank and credit card accounts, then set 5–10 bank rules to speed up coding. (xero.com)

• Turn on Hubdoc and forward the next week’s bills and receipts to it; enable autosync for frequent suppliers. (xero.com)

• Switch on online payments for invoices to improve collection speed, and use automatic reminders. (xero.com)

• If you’re in the US, connect Gusto and run your next payroll with one login; confirm the journal sync posts to the right accounts. (xero.com)

• Invite your accountant/bookkeeper with advisor access, agree on a month‑end cadence, and use the period‑end reconciliation view. (xero.com)

• Add two high‑impact apps from the Xero App Store (for example, time tracking + reporting) to remove manual steps. (apps.xero.com)

Bottom line

• Xero brings the essentials of a modern back office into one place: reliable bank data, automated capture, clean workflows, powerful reporting, and human‑friendly collaboration. Add JAX for faster answers and more automation, and you’ve got a platform that grows with you — not another system to babysit. (xero.com)