After doing a health check and review of each businesses data, this is what I discovered;

Business No. 1

The “Professional” has entered the opening conversion balances the wrong way round (all Debits as Credits and Vice Versa) so none of the YTD figures make any sense. How the Debtors and Creditor conversion could balance to the TB figures are totally beyond me.

Business No. 2

An e-commerce business who make sales via multiple channels. The “professional” had set up the integration so all the gross sales are posted directly to bank account without any Vat despite the business being Vat registered. Also the fees haven’t been synced and the bank account is now adrift circa £4k from the missing fees and charges and an additional Vat liability circa £15k uncovered.

Business No. 3

The “Professional” undertook a migration from Sage Line 50 to Xero. Simple enough using Movemybooks, but no pre and post conversion checks undertaken so the client inherited unallocated Credit Notes and Payments meaning the balances on the individual customer accounts were incorrect and resulted in the inability to send out statements.

I am horrified that “Professionals” can charge for their services and deliver inadequate results. Sometimes the client opts for the cheapest option, and sometimes it’s just incompetence / lack of knowledge and understanding from the “Professional”.

If you’re considering moving from one accounting platform to another ask these simple questions of the “Professional” (whether that’s an accounting firm or specialist business) to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need for your business.

1. What are the formal accounting qualifications of who I’m working with?

2. Does the “Professional” hold any Xero certification?

3. What experience does this person have in my industry?

4. What are the accounting principles and reasons behind why are they setting it up that way?

Not asking these questions can cost you a whole lot of stress, time and money to get it put right.