Accounting
November 15, 2024

The Importance of Using the Right Accounting Software for Tradies

Kyle Bonerath
Accountant & Registered Tax Agent

For tradies, managing a successful business involves juggling multiple tasks at the same time. One of the most crucial elements of running a trade business is effective financial management. The right accounting software can streamline this process, allowing tradies to focus on what they do best while ensuring their finances are in order. Here’s why you should consider accounting software tailored for your needs.

Easily Send Quotes

To keep your pipeline full, you’ll regularly need to provide potential customers with detailed quotes. The right accounting software simplifies this process by allowing users to create and send professional quotes quickly. With features that enable easy customisation and instant delivery via email, you can respond to inquiries promptly, gaining an edge over competitors. This efficiency saves time and helps build trust and credibility with clients, as they receive clear and accurate pricing information without delays.

Get Paid Faster Through Smart Invoice Management

Cash flow is essential to keep your business running and getting paid on time is a big piece of the cash flow puzzle. Accounting software like Xero provides smart invoice management, allowing you to send invoices as soon as a job is completed, directly from your mobile. This immediate invoicing reduces the time between completing a job and receiving payment.

The software provides various payment solutions, giving customers options like credit card payments or bank transfers. These flexible payment methods enhance the likelihood of prompt payment. Xero also automates payment reminders, so you can set up automatic notifications for overdue invoices, taking the burden off your shoulders when it comes to chasing payments.

Tracking Expenses on Jobs

Accurate expense tracking is essential for managing project costs and ensuring profitability. Accounting software makes it possible to effortlessly record time spent on jobs and track associated costs. Features like time tracking make it easy to capture billable hours.

Creating projects within Xero allows for seamless job tracking, automatically integrating financial data. As expenses are logged, you can view project accounting metrics on a dashboard, making it easy to monitor your budget and make informed decisions as the project progresses. When it's time to invoice, details from job tracking can be included in the invoice, complete with a "pay now" button for easy client credit card payments.

Simplify Payroll

Managing payroll can be one of the most complex and time-consuming tasks for tradies, especially when juggling multiple employees and contractors. Accounting software significantly simplifies payroll processes. Features include automatic pay calculations, including superannuation and tax amounts, payslip creation, and comprehensive payroll reporting.

With online payroll software, you can achieve accurate payroll management while minimising administrative costs. Automatic tax calculations and filing reduce the risk of errors, ensuring compliance with regulations. This simplification saves time while enhancing accuracy, allowing you to focus on your work rather than payroll management.

With Single Touch Payroll (STP) requirements, it’s essential to have accounting software that you can rely on to securely send tax and superannuation information relating to your employees to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) each time you run payroll.

Track Your Business

Accounting software like Xero provides data-driven insights into business performance. With instant access to financial health indicators, such as cash flow projections and income metrics, Xero helps you make informed decisions based on real-time data.

A centralised dashboard offers an overview of financial performance, enabling you to quickly assess short-term cash flow, identify urgent invoices, and plan for upcoming expenses. The ability to project future cash flow, analyse trends, and run reports gives deeper insights into business operations, helping you stay ahead of potential challenges.

Access a 25% Discount on Your Xero Subscription

Using the right accounting software is vital for tradies looking to enhance their business efficiency and profitability. From easily sending quotes and managing invoices to tracking expenses and simplifying payroll, accounting software streamlines financial management, enabling you to focus on delivering quality service. 

As Xero Gold partners, we can offer our clients a 25% discount on Xero subscription packages, so if you’re interested in using Xero for your business, please get in touch with us

Fire your friend, your uncle, 
your neighbour's dog, and yourself.

Meet your dedicated accountant today and save relationships, time and money.