5 reasons why Armstrong Watson are one of Xero’s biggest accounting partners in the UK

In April Armstrong Watson joined one of six UK accountancy firms to achieve Platinum Partner status with Xero, the premier Cloud accounting software provider. As the first mid-size firm to achieve this status, we see it as a reflection on how we at Armstrong Watson embrace both technology and the importance of collaboration with our clients.

So what has seen Armstrong Watson move so quickly towards becoming a Platinum Partner of Xero?

1. Collaboration

In these challenging economic times we appreciate that clients want more than simply their accounts produced. They want advice from a trusted adviser.Because of Xero’s single ledger approach, what we see is exactly what the client sees, and our clients can benefit from our timely advice based on up to date information

“I like the fact that if I have a problem or I am not sure how to record something I can ask for assistance and sort this out at the time instead of waiting for year end and trying to retrospectively sort things out”

2. Ease of use

Xero is so easy to use compared to other accounting packages, allowing clients to keep their books up to date easily. With training from Armstrong Watson, clients can keep their records complete and up to date, giving business owners better decision making abilities.

“The staff at Armstrong Watson were so patient explaining how the system worked and how it could benefit our business. Within a few days it felt that we had always used it.”

3. Accessible anytime anywhere

Since the launch of the iPhone back in October 2007 consumers have had an insatiable appetite for information on the go.Fast forward to 2014 where smartphone and tablets are common place, and people expect information on the move.Xero’s concept of Cloud accounting means clients can access their accounts from desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones wherever they are in the world, and importantly, so can we, making us the perfect partners.

“Everything is available to me no matter where I am in the world, I can see how my business is doing within a few seconds”

4. Easy to produce VAT returns

For many businesses doing the quarterly VAT return is a stressful experience; trying to pull all the information together and making sure it is accurate.Xero makes preparing VAT returns so much easier. Because we can access the same information as our clients we can easily do a check on the VAT return to give peace of mind before it’s submitted to HMRC.

“It is actually a joy completing the VAT return as we have everything in the one place to do this and staff at Armstrong Watson always happy to help with any queries that arise”

5. Our clients love it

The main reason for Armstrong Watson’s success in rolling out Xero is because clients really do love Xero. A quick trip through our client feedback on Xero will show you a mountain of emotive language that I’ve never heard in relation to traditional accountancy software.Because clients love it so much they have been recommending it to their friends, a true show of Xero’s worth.

“Xero makes accounting enjoyable”, “I love Xero”, “I couldn’t ask for anything more”

If you haven’t considered how Cloud accounting can revolutionise your business and would like to join the long list of clients making the move into the Cloud, why not get in touch and find out for yourselves why Armstrong Watson have gone Platinum with Xero.

Grant Smith, Partner