Xero for Dummies: Help for non-accountants

After a working lifetime struggling with small business accounting I settled on Xero.

I’m no accountant and none of this comes naturally to me, yet compared with the other accounting applications I’ve used over the years, Xero is dead simple.

Simple, yes, but not foolproof. I still make my fair share of errors, and there are at least three aspects of Xero I continue to struggle with.

That’s where Heather Smith’s Xero for Dummies comes in. It’s a hefty paperback book with advice, tips and essential information on using the software.

Chirpy but on-point

Written in the Dummies’ series style, Smith’s writing is chirpy and repetitive. While this might be irritating in a book for casual reading, it’s perfect for a manual. Xero for Dummies serves as a primer and a resource for those who don’t live and breathe accounting or cloud software. The writing is accessible and well-suited for the task at hand.

The book works best when used as a reference, dipping in and out to learn specific tasks or to better understand features that aren’t immediately obvious. My favorite sections are those that offer tips for getting the most out of Xero; I picked up two useful tricks just this morning.

Why a printed book?

Using a printed book to navigate a cloud application might seem anachronistic, but print is ideal for this purpose.

Cloud applications often throw users in at the deep end. While support is usually available, it’s often hidden from view when you’re working. Having printed pages open for quick reference is far more convenient than constant toggling between screens. At NZ$40, the book is cheaper and easier than investing in a second device.