Moving from Freeagent to Xero

[Ursicles]

We were given Freeagent as part of our banking package with Natwest, but its limited in features, eg linking to Paypal to collect payments.

Speaking to our accountants, they said Freeagent more designed for contractors, and recommended Xero.

We do about £20k a month across 16 clients, and 14 staff - and invoicing and payment collection is becoming trickier, so want to put something in place where we can paypal, go cardless and also set something up to allow us to take payments over the phone.

Question is... how hard is it to move across? Can it be automated, or needs to be done manually?

 

[Glenn Martin]

Xero will work better for you as the Paypal feed works well with Xero. You can convert a lot of software via movemybook.co.uk to Xero but I Don't think you can convert FreeAgent in that way.

You may have to set up your opening balances and keep historical reports from FreeAgent if you need to go back into previous years.

Gllenn

 

[JCresswellTax]

Why don't you ask your accountant who recommended it?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Why don't you ask your accountant who recommended it?

I was going to suggest exactly that.

If they have recommended Freeagent I assume they are very familiar with it and as such should be able to help you with the transfer and all questions.

 

[Ursicles]

Freeagent was a freebie from natwest, Xero is what the accountant recommended as they havent used Freeagent, hence my question.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Freeagent was a freebie from natwest, Xero is what the accountant recommended as they havent used Freeagent, hence my question.

Sorry my mistake I should have said Xero - the suggestion still stands though. If they have recommended any system they should be able to assist with the transfer.

 

[Jeremiah@RHJ Accountants]

You would be better off asking Xero as they have a support team, or even better you accountant can ask Xero themselves as are they a recommended Xero Partner?

 

[Robert Meredith]

Freeagent was a freebie from natwest, Xero is what the accountant recommended as they havent used Freeagent, hence my question.

I have a certificate that says I am Xero migration certified. Whatever that means......

To my mind you need to decide if you want history in your new system. The most straightforward way to do it is choose a year end (or vat quarter end if its ages to the year end). Then put all the balances in from freeagent as opening balances in Xero. Obviously you won't have previous years data. I would pay the accountants a few quid to sort it out?

 

[arnydnxluk]

I agree with your accountant, Xero is definitely better for your use case. Xero is more feature packed and I'd recommend it in all cases except for freelancing where FreeAgent is more suited due to the simplified interface and incoming corp tax filing feature.

The transfer of data isn't automated but your accountant should be able to assist there.