15 Tips for Mastering Your Xero Bookkeeping

Here are 15 practical tips to help you master your Xero bookkeeping and stay in control of your numbers.

1. Reconcile little and often

Five minutes a day is far better than five hours at month-end.

2. Connect your bank feeds correctly

Make sure feeds are live and starting from the correct date.

3. Set up bank rules

Let Xero auto-code repetitive transactions like fees, subscriptions, and fuel.

4. Use the Xero app

Snap receipts on the go — no more lost paperwork.

5. Keep personal and business spending separate

This alone will save hours of cleanup.

6. Name your bank rules clearly

Future you (or your bookkeeper) will thank you.

7. Check for duplicate transactions

This can happen during setup or feed changes.

8. Reconcile GST as you go

Don’t wait until BAS time to find errors.

9. Use tracking categories if needed

Great for trades, locations, or income streams.

10. Review your Profit & Loss monthly

You don’t need to understand everything — just trends.

11. Keep supplier details up to date

Accurate records make reporting easier.

12. Don’t ignore unreconciled items

They don’t fix themselves.

13. Lock periods once BAS is lodged

This prevents accidental changes.

14. Ask questions early

Confusion compounds when left too long.

15. Aim for progress, not perfection

Consistency beats perfection every time.

Mastering Xero isn’t about being an accountant — it’s about building habits that support your business.