Most small business owners don’t get excited about accounting software. And for good reason! It can feel like another item on a never-ending to do list. But when your accountant not only knows how to use tools like Xero well, but also tailors your Xero setup to fit you and your business, something exciting happens.
You stop seeing your numbers as something to fear or avoid. Instead, they start telling a story. Your story. In a way that helps you make confident decisions. It’s not just about getting the books balanced. It’s about giving you back time, clarity, and space to lead your business well.
Beyond compliance: real support in real life
For most purpose-led founders, accounting isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about building something meaningful while juggling a thousand moving parts. From international logistics to cutting edge design, from payroll mishaps to funding applications.
When your accountant understands the reality of your day-to-day, including the curveballs, they can support you in ways that go far beyond the basics. Maybe it’s helping on a tight turnaround from a train platform. Maybe it’s untangling grant payments or introducing you to a banking partner who actually gets your business. This kind of support isn’t transactional. It’s relational. It’s built on trust.
Using Xero well, and making it work for your business
Xero is a brilliant tool, but only when it’s set up properly. An off-the-shelf Xero setup might suit a straightforward service-based business. But if your business spans countries, suppliers, funding streams, and multiple currencies, then ‘out of the box’ just doesn’t cut it.
That’s why it’s so important to work with an accountant who knows how to customise Xero to your needs, setting up a chart of accounts that actually reflects what you want to track and understand. This makes reporting less overwhelming and more meaningful. It turns a sea of numbers into insights you can act on, and conversations that matter. (If you’re still learning the ropes, Xero’s Small Business Guides are a great starting point.)
Innovation and time-saving tools you didn’t know existed
One of the most common things we hear from clients is: “I didn’t know that was possible!” From connected payment tools that save hours a month, to apps that simplify group reporting across borders, Xero’s ecosystem is full of clever tools. But you only benefit from them if someone helps you find, and implement, the right ones.
That’s part of our job. Not just staying on top of your accounts, but actively looking for ways to make your life easier. Recommending the right tools at the right time. Offering suggestions based on what we know about your business, not just what’s trendy.
Trust and teamwork, not just transactions
It’s easy to assume that accountants deal with spreadsheets, not people. But the truth is, the best accounting relationships are built on understanding, curiosity, and trust.
When you know your accountant is on your team, asking the right questions, offering new ways to think about your finances, helping you see around corners, it changes how you approach your business. You feel less alone. More capable. Less reactive. More intentional.
That’s especially true for purpose-led businesses. The numbers matter, but so do your values, your goals, and your vision for the future. A good accountant understands that and helps you align the two.
It’s not just what you do – it’s how you do it
Accounting might not sound exciting. But when done right, with thought, care, and a deep understanding of your business, it becomes a quiet superpower.
At Starfish, we believe in combining technical skill with human connection. We use Xero to its full potential not for the sake of it, but to make things simpler and smarter for the people we work with. Because when your numbers are clear, your time is protected, and your team is on the same page, you’re free to do what really matters: build something brilliant.
Is your Xero setup helping or hindering your business?
If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. A tailored Xero setup can make all the difference, saving you time, stress, and giving you clarity when you need it most.
Our Xero Healthcheck is designed to spot what’s working, what’s not, and where small tweaks could have a big impact. Find out more about our Xero Healthcheck.
