Xero for fresh produce packers and food manufacturers. Pack, sort, grade, process fresh produce, mix salads, manufacture coleslaw and value added fresh produce: Integrates with Xero accounts payable, accounts receivable, Xero items and more.... Full inventory, quality control, orders, sales and shipping.
Integrate your farmsoft app with Xero in the fresh produce space.
Xero fresh produce software
Xero integration allows Producepak to automatically convert PO's from farmsoft into Xero Invoices for AP (accounts payable); essentially this is converting deliveries of fresh produce into AP records for management by Xero. Xero > farmsoft integration is an optoinal additional item when purchasing farmsoft, please request pricing details. Addtional integration with Xero can be added on request.
Xero integration for fresh produce packers and shippers, full inventory and traceability management with Xero's powerful accounting.
Using farmsoft and Xero, you can take advantage of all the special fresh produce functionality such as traceability, recall & audit, quality control, shipment planning, fresh produce label printing (with built in industry standards for Walmart, Woolworths, Loblaw, Tesco and more..), inventory management while keeping your accounts accurate using Xero accounting solutions.
Xero & farmsoft will manage your sales orders (customer purchase orders) and you can even manage price lists in farmsoft by setting prices for any part and its associated produce & variety, and features, and even individual pricelists for different suppliers and customers. When orders are created in farmsoft, the price list is used to default current prices.
Combine the power of the farmsoft cloud based fresh produce business management solution with Xero accounting and finance management.
Xero integration allows farmsoft to automatically convert PO's from farmsoft into Xero Invoices for AP (accounts payable) and Invoices issued by farmsoft become AR records; essentially this is converting deliveries of fresh produce into AP records for management by Xero. Xero farmsoft integration is an optional additional module with additional cost and not included in our standard offer. Additional integration with Xero can be added on request.
Xero & farmsoft = Less waste
Reduce fresh produce waste with better stock-takes, FIFO, and inventory alerts.
Xero integration for fresh produce packers and shippers, full inventory and traceability management by farmsoft, with Xero's powerful accounting.
Using farmsoft and Xero, you can take advantage of all the special fresh produce functionality such as traceability, recall & audit, quality control, shipment planning, label printing, inventory management while keeping your accounts accurate using Sage accounting solutions.
Xero might be a relatively new player in the U.S. accounting industry, but it’s quickly gaining in popularity. A New Zealand-based company, Xero’s reach has grown substantially with it’s U.S. offerings, even competing with big business accounting software players like QuickBooks. Built “in the cloud for the cloud,” Xero appeals to a wide range of accounts as well as business owners, forgoing accounting jargon in favor of everyday terminology. Plus, with Xero’s wide breadth of features and functionality, mobile friendliness, appealing interface, and reasonable pricing, it’s no wonder their subscribers continue to grow.
As with any accounting software, new users will want to take some Xero training courses to familiarize themselves with the platform and ensure they understand the processes and capabilities. If you’re looking to get started with Xero accounting for your business, you’re probably wondering where the best places are to get Xero courses online. With the vastness of the Internet, there are a variety of options out there and you want to make sure you’re getting reliable and helpful information. Should you invest in paid training or is the free Xero training sufficient? We’re here to sort through all the possibilities and help you decide the right resource for your Xero training.
Xero Training Courses and Resources
As we mentioned, in this Internet age, there are numerous options when you’re looking for Xero accounting training. You can find and pay for training online or in-person, read how-to guides, watch videos, or even meet with an expert to help teach you. Out of all of the available possibilities, the simplest and cheapest option, as you might have guessed, is to head online. As long as you ensure that your information is reliable and up-to-date (more on that later), the Xero training online resources are substantial. Here are four of the best:
1. Xero U
When it comes to Xero training, going straight to the source is hands-down the best choice. Xero offers free online training on their education portal called Xero U. With this platform you have access to both live and online Xero training courses, as well as webinars and additional resources. The courses on Xero U cover the basics such as getting set up, completing invoices, managing security, and more. Additionally, Xero U extends to more advanced topics like payroll, sales tax automation, and inventory management. Investigating these advanced topics can help you see how the Xero software applies to your specific business, whether you need accounting for your retail store or ecommerce business. The videos are thorough, up-to-date, and easy to navigate—making learning at your own pace simple. Even more important, online courses and webinars are generally free through Xero U.
Furthermore, Xero U breaks down suggested course trajectories based on the user: one track covers Xero training for business owners, while the other focuses on accountants and bookkeepers. Each track is further divided into categories to help the user follow a logical progression and choose courses based on their specific need. For accountants and bookkeepers, training is categorized as “explore Xero, “getting set up,” “day-to-day,” “get certified,” and “going further.” If you’re looking specifically for Xero certification training online, the “get certified” category is where you’ll find it. Here, business accountants and bookkeepers can participate in specific courses to earn their Xero certification.
For business owners, the categories are essentially the same, however, the “get certified” category is replaced with “apps.” The “apps” section, as you might imagine, offers courses that guide you on integrating other software with Xero.
2. XeroTV
Like Xero U, XeroTV is managed directly by Xero, so you know that the videos are providing you with the most accurate and relevant information. All of the materials on XeroTV are free.
The XeroTV platform feels less formal than Xero U—instead of training courses, you have shorter, more individual videos. These videos are also divided into different categories ranging from “how-to” to “app marketplace.” While shorter than the course videos on Xero U, the XeroTV videos are expansive and high-quality. These videos even expand into an advisor series, startup series, as well as an influencers series. The platform also has customer stories, business and Zero accounting app reviews, and information on updates to the Xero software.
Imagine arriving at work today and all your orders have been entered into your industry designed order management system? QuickB2B saves hours and hours of the day-to-day processes a Food Wholesaler goes through.
Clients download your app (or the generic app) from the Google Play and Apple App stores. Orders are placed in minutes through their phone. Since your clients enter their own orders you eliminate errors.
The Inventory Manager answers the question of what stock do I need to supply today's orders? At the click of a button purchase orders are generated and can be emailed straight from your tablet before pushing the data to Xero for supplier invoice matching.
Picking Slips, Delivery Dockets, Delivery Run Sheets, Portion Control, Random Weights and very Complex Pricing are part of your system. Step through today's order processing before sending the data to Xero for invoicing.
QuickB2B. Innovative. Simple. Smart.
Explore all features of QuickB2B Order Management System
QuickB2B Order Management SystemPlay Video
, opens in a dialog
QuickB2B Order Management System + Xero
With seamless integration your Order Management System sends order data to Xero as invoices awaiting approval. Random weights etc are entered off before pushing this data to Xero so simply select them all, approval and leave Xero to do what it does best. Manage your financials.
If you elect to make use of the inventory manager, purchase orders are sent to Xero making matching purchases with supplier invoices so much easier.
3. Xero Central
By now, you might be sensing a theme. On the whole, Xero themselves have the most extensive, free online training resources for their accounting software. In addition to the previous two video-based resources, Xero has a forum and topic hub called Xero Central. Although you might not think of this as your traditional training course format, Xero Central is another great resource, either on its own or as a supplement to XeroTV and Xero U.
Xero Central offers step-by-step guides to help you learn how to navigate and best use their platform. These guides range in overarching topics from payroll to fixed assets and cover issues as specific as accounting balance sheets and adjusting tax amounts on paid transactions. If you prefer to learn by reading as opposed to listening and watching a video, Xero Central is the place for you. Not only does the platform offer topic guides, however, it also contains a discussion forum where you can ask specific questions and receive answers from other users. Xero Central also gives you the ability to direct your questions to Xero’s support team. Xero Picks Freshen toothpicks are available in refreshing mint flavors. We use a patented technology to infuse these toothpicks with mint, xylitol, sucralose, flavors and jambú, a concentrated extract of spilanthes acmella. Jambú has strong saliva-inducing effects and is responsible for the tingling sensation in the mouth and lips often experienced during salivation. Recommended Use: Suck and flip. Lightly imprint teeth once wood has softened to release more ingredients. Suggested 20-25 minutes for maximum use. Use and discard. Do not swallow. To open tube – simply squeeze both sides of tube to pop the top. These tubes are child resistant by design.
Cooling Fresh Breath: Xero Picks Freshen is a great way to keep fresh breath and a great alternative for gum and mints.
Feel the Tingle: Every product in the Xero Picks line of infused toothpicks is formulated to fight dry mouth. Our toothpicks are infused with jambú – a Brazilian herb used for centuries for its ability to stimulate saliva production. Jambú – also called spilanthes – is where Xero Picks get their signature tingle.
Infused to the Core for Long Lasting Flavor and Effects: Xero Picks are made with a patented infusion process that allows flavor and ingredients to penetrate the splinter-free birchwood for long-lasting effects. Our toothpicks last for an average of 20-30 minutes of usage.
Versatile: Use discreetly anytime, anywhere - around friends and family, at work or when traveling. Stop and start use as needed until flavor fades.
Little Device with Big Benefits: Xero Picks toothpicks are packed full of flavor for seriously fresh breath and remain zero calorie, sugar free, gluten free, vegan and keto-friendly.
4. Social Media
Although social media can be a headache in this day and age, it can also be extremely useful—if you know where to look. In terms of online training for Xero accounting, you can find free beneficial resources on both Facebook and YouTube.
Facebook
Facebook can be a great resource for finding groups for business owners and accounting professionals. The Xero Official North America – Accountants & Bookkeepers group is a combination Q&A forum and education platform, which is great for both Xero training information and getting help with one-off issues you might encounter while using Xero. Group moderator Jay Kimelman is the Xero ambassador for the Southeastern United States region, so the information in the group is always current and accurate.
Some of the Xero groups on Facebook are geared exclusively toward accountants and bookkeepers, while some are meant for small business owners and other end users. You’ll want to keep this in mind when you request to join a group. Also, when choosing a Facebook group for Xero questions or training, your best bet is to stick with the “official” groups. While other “unofficial” groups can also be good resources, they’re typically not moderated or monitored by Xero or Xero partners.
YouTube
For even more video resources, you can check out the Xero YouTube channel, as well as other Xero training materials posted on the platform. Xero’s own channel is pretty robust, featuring similar resources to XeroTV. Although other YouTube tutorials may not come directly from Xero, you can definitely still find helpful content. Many small business bookkeeping, accounting, and general industry professionals share training resources on YouTube—you can use your best judgment when deciding which videos to watch, which are the most up-to-date and reliable, and which will be the most useful for you.
Bonus: The Xero Advisor Directory
If you’re thinking a directory doesn’t sound quite like a training course, you’d be right. However, many Xero advisors encourage their clients to become knowledgeable about Xero and can also help them in doing so. The Xero Advisor Directory lists accountants and bookkeepers who are certified in Xero. You can search the directory based on your specific industry and location. You also have the ability to search for “Xero champions,” which are firms whose teams are highly trained in Xero.
If you decide to work with a Xero advisor, they can help with your training, offer Xero tips, and serve as a general resource for you. Furthermore, your advisor can work with you on the aspects of Xero that you personally need to know and that will benefit your business the most. Developing this knowledge allows you to become more involved in your business’ finance (if you weren’t already) and has been a proven way to encourage financial intelligence and profitability.
Additionally, while not necessarily specific to Xero training, it’s still worth noting that the Xero website offers other resources including podcasts, guides, and reports for small business owners as well as accountants and bookkeepers.
Farm accounting: 10 points to consider
Farming is a different type of business to any other. Find out the top ten factors to consider for farm accounting.
A farmer looking at their accounts on a computer
Accounting for the way you run your farm
Farming is unique. There are few other types of business that rely on living produce, whether it's crops or livestock. That makes farm accounting more complex than other businesses when it comes to assets, liabilities, costs and revenue.
Depending on the country you’re in, farming can be quite a regulated and subsidised industry. Then there's the weather, of course, which can have a dramatic effect on profit and loss.
Accounting for all these factors is far from straightforward. But with a little thought and planning it's possible to get into a routine of managing the finances for every aspect of your farm's operation. Here are ten important points to bear in mind about farm accounting.
1. Your land is an asset
Properly managed agricultural land shouldn't depreciate – it might even go up in value. But mismanaged land can take many years of careful nurturing to return to productivity, especially if it's become highly acidic or drained of nutrients due to over-farming in the past.
The cost of maintaining your land should always be accounted for.
Fertiliser: This is an unavoidable expense if you want to keep your fields productive
Irrigation: Nothing grows without water, and irrigation is a major cost in dry countries
Drainage: Soil that doesn't drain well will rot crops and harm livestock, and improving drainage is a costly process
Soil pH management: Different plants require different pH levels and careful analysis is required in order to add the correct nutrients to maintain soil pH at the appropriate level
Weed removal: Whether it's manual extraction or spraying, weed removal is an ongoing expense
Pest control: If you're growing crops you'll need to manage pests and this can be a continuous fight with natural selection as pests develop resistance
If looked after well, good quality land should remain productive year after year. So whatever it costs to keep your land in good condition it is likely to be money well spent. Make sure you account for all these expenses.
2. Stay up to date with government subsidy schemes
Farming is a critical industry. If a country doesn't have the resources to feed itself, it will have to rely on imports to keep its population alive. For that reason, most governments provide subsidies to farmers to help them out during the lean years, to make particular types of farming more appealing, and to ensure that the country never runs out of food.
he Farming Team
Posted 4 years ago in Advisors
Posted by
Bryan Williams
In an endeavour to help make Aussie farmers more profitable, Xero has collaborated with Figured to launch the Farming Team. The initiative aims to educate farmers on how to run their farms more efficiently and effectively using eight integrated cloud-based apps in conjunction with a network of trusted advisors.
One of the key drivers behind the collaboration is to give farmers ongoing support for useful apps which they may not otherwise be able to get in their local area.
The innovative companies partnering in the Farming Team include Figured, Agworld, AgriWebb, MarketCheck, TrueCrop, Agmarket and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Equipping farmers with the right tools
Xero’s National Partner Director, Rob Stone explained that it’s important to equip our farmers with the tools and training they need.
“The $60 billion agricultural industry is one of Australia’s most important sectors, so we’re keen to provide support and education to farmers on the best ways to harness cloud software and modern technology.”
“The collaboration between software providers and financial institutions is a unique opportunity to help our agricultural businesses grow, and one we’re proud to be a part of as champions of small business,” he said.
When farmers look for new apps to help them make better business decisions, they sometimes don’t know how to begin and don’t have access to training or ongoing support. The Farming Team aims to sort out the confusion by bringing all of this together in the one service.
How it works
Farmers can go to the Farming Team website to submit their details and request a setup and training session on any of the cloud applications relevant to their businesses. The Farming Team will set up, integrate and train the farmers in these apps. Farmers can also request a connection to a professional services provider in bookkeeping, tax and compliance, business advisory, succession planning or agri-banking services.
The general manager of Figured Australia, James Black, hopes the partnership will help farmers look beyond production.
“The goal of this collaborative effort is to change the Australian farmer’s mindset from focusing purely on production and yield to focusing on long-term sustainable profitability.
Recent upgrades to Xero HQ mean Xero partners can easily identify which clients are in agriculture. To get started, go to www.thefarmingteam.com.au or @farmingteamaus for more information.
These subsidies are different in each country and they often change. One year you might find there's a big subsidy on cheese production, another year it might be beef that's subsidised. Quite often governments get it wrong, leading to surpluses that drive down prices too far. The so-called 'butter mountains' and 'wine lakes' in Europe towards the end of last century were partly a result of poorly-managed subsidies.
Today subsidies are managed more efficiently, but that can mean they change more often too. So make sure you keep track of subsidies and account for them, especially if they're made as direct payments. The more knowledge you have about subsidies, the more you can plan your farming strategy to make the most of them.
3. Adjust your farm accounting calendar to suit the government's
When is a lamb not a lamb? When the government decides it's a hogget. Farmers know that nature doesn't follow strict timetables. For example, if lambs are born early, late or out of season, they might not fit into the government's rigid definition of age. This can cause long-term headaches if you're trying to keep a tally of the animals on your farm.
Resolving this can be a problem, particularly when farming breeds of animal that reproduce all year round or outside the usual seasons. Usually the simplest solution is to go with the government's definition of significant dates and livestock ages when doing your accounts. It may not always be factually correct, but it'll save you going through more complex calculations in the future.
4. Record changes in land use
As economies change, so does the type of farming that's carried out on the land. For example:
Pasture to crop production: A shift towards a more vegetarian society can lead to pasture being given over to cereal, fruit or vegetable production
Arable to native bush and plants: Some governments may pay farmers to return farmed land to its 'native' state by planting indigenous species and letting them grow wild
Carbon capture schemes: These pay farmers to change land use to forestry, as a way of 'locking up' carbon in new tree growth
Forest to livestock: In some parts of the world forests are cleared to make way for meat production, mainly beef for sale to burger chains
If your use of land changes, even if it's just a few fields, be sure to record it in your accounts. Make sure the land value (the asset) is adjusted if necessary and that you account for the sale of any stock that was on the land before. Or, if moving to a livestock farming model, be sure to record the cost of buying stock.
If you record these changes as they happen, it will make it much easier to keep your business accounts up to date.
5. Know your stock
Most farmers will know how many animals they have, of what type, breed and age, to within a small margin.
But animals breed and die, so the number will not remain static. And the old saying – where there is livestock, there is also deadstock – still applies, especially during cold winters and lambing or calving season.
So your stock numbers will change over time and it's important to record these changes in your accounting software. Every head has a value, and that value should be recorded.
6. Understand depreciation
In most countries, the cost of new equipment can be offset against tax. And its value will depreciate over time as it becomes older, wears out or is made obsolete by newer technology. Make sure you understand the rules for depreciation in your country, because the value of your equipment will affect your tax bill.
Tractors, trucks, harvesting equipment and other farm machinery: Built to last, but undergo heavy use and wear and tear in all weathers. Good quality equipment may hold its value but new technology is moving fast in this area, making older machinery less valuable.
Computer equipment: Increasingly essential for managing a farm efficiently, computers depreciate faster than almost any other type of equipment.
Hand tools, machine tools and repair equipment: Often long-lasting with a long depreciation tail, though low-quality items can fail sooner and be a poor investment.
Keep track of what you buy and account for its depreciation each year.
7. Account for loss
Farming is dependent on the weather, and sometimes the weather wreaks havoc. A hot, dry summer might be great for wine growers but it can be catastrophic for dairy farmers. Unseasonal storms can destroy an entire wheat crop and unexpected rain can leave hay rotting in the fields.
It's important to record any losses in your accounts, because that will reduce your overall tax bill. You won't want to be taxed on something that's been destroyed, or on a profit that you haven't made.
8. Keep track of your profitability
Farm profitability can be difficult to measure. There have been various attempts to do so, including:
Economic Farm Surplus or similar schemes: Favoured by accountants, this uses various farm accounting metrics to give an overall performance rating
Month-to-month profit: A useful quick guide to how your farm's performing right now, but no help in predicting future cash flow or profits
Working costs to milk solids: A popular one for dairy farm calculations, though be sure to keep your figures up to date and based on current milk solid prices
Revenue or profit per unit area: A measure of how much revenue or profit is generated for each unit area of farmland, for example dollars per hectare. While this gives a good idea of current farm performance, it doesn't always take underlying costs into account. Almost any farm can appear temporarily profitable if it's had enough recent investment.
The only way to truly understand farm profitability over time is to use good quality farm accounting software. The additional benefit of doing this, is that you can use it to make forecasts and predictions based on past trends.
9. Use the internet and the cloud
Most farmers have some form of internet connection these days. It's not always fast – rural life has its downsides – but it's usually enough for the basics. Some uses for the internet in general and the cloud in particular include:
Checking stock prices and trends: Keeping up to date with these numbers can help farmers decide how best to utilise their land
Accessing kill sheets, tracking milk solid prices, etc: Usually faster and easier than getting this information by mail or word-of-mouth
Long-range and short-range weather forecasting: Vital, required knowledge for just about every type of farm
Using cloud apps: These new tools offer much faster access to information, accounting tools, resources and bank accounts
With the internet, and especially cloud computing, farmers can take advantage of the latest farming software. Good farm accounting software will have direct feeds in place for banks and farm suppliers. This means you can manage all your resources, suppliers and partners from one place.
10. Consider hiring an accountant
It is possible to manage the accounts of a small or even medium-sized farm on your own, but the time and complexity involved mean it will be hard work. If you're running a family farm then you may be able to designate one member of the family to handle the accounts while another looks after the day-to-day running of the farm. However, there will still be a steep learning curve.
A good accountant can take most of the fiddly detail work off your hands, leaving you free to run your business the way you want to.
Although the expense might seem high, good accountants will be able to save you money in the long run. With their understanding of tax legislation they may be able to reduce your tax bill, perhaps enough to cancel out the cost of your accountant's bill.
Account for every aspect of your farm
As we've seen, farm accounting is a big topic. Every farm is different and we've only scratched the surface in this guide.
Luckily, for farmers who want to go it alone there's now a range of good quality software, most of it cloud-based, to help simplify the accounting process.
Even if you do hire an accountant, you'll still need to keep some important financial information at your fingertips. When you and your accountant work together in the cloud so you can both access the figures, it'll help your farming business run much more efficiently.
Disclaimer: Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the provided content.
Xero Accounting Online Training: What to Avoid
As we’ve laid out above, it’s pretty easy to find Xero training online. With that being said then, how do you know what to avoid?
One thing to watch out for is paid Xero training that is only comprised of videos. With Xero U, XeroTV and the Xero YouTube channel, there are significant free resources available for video training. Similarly, be cautious of paid Xero “training manuals” that are not distributed by Xero. In both of these cases, it’s worth remembering that the Xero software changes rapidly, and you could easily end up paying for outdated information. Furthermore, with the availability of training from the creators of the Xero themselves, you shouldn’t feel the need to pay for a third-party product that might not be as well-versed or experienced with the Xero accounting software.
Additionally, if you choose to pay for training from a bookkeeper or an accountant, make sure they are either certified or listed in the Xero Advisor Directory. As with any accounting software, knowing accounting concepts, theory, or method is not enough to effectively use Xero or train someone else to use it. Xero certified advisors have proven proficiency in the software, and this, in turn, ensures that you will be trained to use Xero to its fullest potential.
A final word of caution: Since Xero was developed in New Zealand and has been used in New Zealand, Australia, and some European countries longer than it has been used in the United States, many of the online Xero training resources and advice you will find are not U.S.-based. This doesn’t mean the training or resources are untrustworthy or necessarily incorrect, but it does mean they may be geared toward non-U.S. Xero users. Make sure you are looking at information created for U.S. Xero users before implementing any advice you find (unless, of course, you are not a U.S.-based business.)
Farmsoft & Xero will manage your sales orders (customer purchase orders) and you can even manage price lists in farmsoft by setting prices for any part and its associated produce & variety, and features, and even individual price lists for different suppliers and customers. When orders are created in farmsoft, the price list is used to default current prices.
Xero for fresh produce packers and food manufacturers. Pack, sort, grade, process fresh produce, mix salads, manufacture coleslaw and value added fresh produce: Integrates with Xero accounts payable, accounts receivable, Xero items and more.... Full inventory, quality control, orders, sales and shipping.
Come on over to the new discussions in Xero Central. It’s a more intuitive way to connect and chat all things business with one another. Ask questions, dish out answers, and get involved.
You can still view topics in the Xero Business Community to see all the useful knowledge that’s been shared there; and you can restart conversations you feel have been of huge value to you on Xero Central.
If you have brilliant ideas for innovations, you can keep on adding feature requests in the Xero Business Community, and voting on existing requests. There’s more in store, as we come up with the best way to take on your thoughts and share developments
Xero for fresh produce packers and food manufacturers. Pack, sort, grade, process fresh produce, mix salads, manufacture coleslaw and value added fresh produce: Integrates with Xero accounts payable, accounts receivable, Xero items and more.... Full inventory, quality control, orders, sales and shipping.