Heather Smith - Converting to Xero from MYOB In A Day For Dummies

Published by
Wiley Publishing Australia Pty Ltd
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Milton, Qld 4064
www.dummies.com

Copyright 2013 Wiley Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

Author:Smith, Heather Nicolette

Title:Converting from Xero to MYOB In A Day For Dummies / Heather Smith

ISBN:9781118572481 (epub.); 9781118572498 (epdf.); 9781118572504 (emobi.)

Series:For Dummies.

Subjects:Xero (Computer program)

Accounting Computer Programs

Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Dewey Number:657.02855369

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Introduction

If youve been contemplating moving from the desktop version of MYOB to the cloud-based Xero system, then this In A Day book is the resource you need.

A number of different versions of MYOB AccountRight are available in Australia and New Zealand. The desktop versions all enable lists of data to be exported, either by the export function, or via the reporting function. The version you have may look slightly different, but in general they have the same functionality. Ive used AccountRight version 19 throughout this book but, for the sake of simplicity, I refer to the software as MYOB.

Migrating from MYOB to Xero is an opportunity to examine what information you really, really want from your accounting system, and also a chance to customise the data (and Xero) to suit those needs.

Note: One of the great features of Xero being a cloud-based accounting solution is that Xero can make upgrades or updates to its pages or processes at any time and the next time you access your file, the upgrades have been implemented. No more waiting for the next software release! But this may mean a page or process youre looking at online isnt exactly the same as that shown in this ebook. Dont worry the process should still be similar enough that you can use this book to guide you through.

What You Can Do In A Day

This ebook explains the essentials of converting a MYOB file to Xero in just one day. It is designed to work you through the four distinct steps of the process: preparing to convert to Xero from MYOB, exporting data from MYOB, getting ready to import data into Xero and importing data into Xero.

Foolish Assumptions

Its never nice to assume anything about people without walking a mile in their shoes. But to write this book I had to assume a few things... firstly, I assumed you buckle down to work with a nice cup of tea, and when things get really hard you grab the chocolate. (Or is that just me?)

Here are some other assumptions Ive made:

You can navigate your way around a computer or a mobile device and know how to access the internet.

You have set up a basic Xero data file.

You dont have a background in bookkeeping or accounting. Through my work Ive been exposed to literally thousands of people who have no accounting or bookkeeping background and Ive trained them in the essentials and got them up and running. So Ive used this experience to write this book in a way that highlights whats important, and breaks it down appropriately.

You probably dont have access to Hermiones Time Turner or Doctor Who s TARDIS, and your time is important to you. You want to work as efficiently and effectively as possible so Ive included lots of productivity enhancers.

Icons Used in This Book

Have a go at a quick exercise and tips with this icon.

This icon marks some of the additional material you can find on the book's companion website at www.dummies.com/go/inaday/convertingtoxerofromMYOB .

This icon highlights pearls of wisdom you should make a mental note about or even write down for yourself on an actual notebook!

These show handy strategies and shortcuts to speed up your productivity or just generally make life easier gained through my own experience.

This icon outlines something you should be aware of and highlights any issues so youre prepared and empowered. If youre reviewing a section that contains a warning make sure you take the time to read it.

Chapter 1

Preparing to Convert to Xero from MYOB