BDO & Xero Client Stories - Taranaki

iStudios Multimedia Limited

iStudios Multimedia Limited specialise in creating quality communication and marketing products for our clients through a range of multimedia platforms including photography, film, graphic design, web design and publishing.

"We have been working with BDO since 2014. We knew we needed professional guidance for our business finances and came to BDO via referral. BDO has changed our perception of accountants. While they meet the general expectation of providing professional financial advice, what we appreciate most about working with the team at BDO is that we are whānau.

The warmth and genuine care for us and our business makes working with the team at BDO a delight. They are interested in seeing our business succeed, in hearing about what we are doing and always consider ways in which they can help us grow; not only financially but in development of ourselves personally and within our business.

It’s fairly easy to get financial advice these days but you don’t always find professionals that you get along so well with. We feel like we are part of the BDO whānau rather than being a client. Nothing is ever too hard, time is never an issue and there is always a genuine willingness to help us succeed. We also get chocolate biscuits at our meetings instead of the boring, plain ones. You always favour the relatives who bring out the chocolate bickies lol.

We’ve recently started using Xero Payroll which, with the help of BDO, has been a simple transition and has saved us so much time, especially when processing our PAYE returns. We like that our staff have their own log in to access their pay information and that leave requests are submitted and approved online, which not only creates a paperless process for us but also reduces payroll errors as the leave is automatically added to the correct pay run when it is due.

Xero has one of the best online help features available which allows us to problem solve ourselves without having to always ask our accountant. We like that Xero always seem to be adding new features to enhance user experience and save us time.

The ability to file GST direct to IRD via Xero has made what used to be a complicated, daunting task a more simplified, ‘click of a button’ process. It also gives assurance that once we have confirmed our data in Xero, the information filed with the IRD will also be correct i.e. no risk of transposed numbers.

One of the most beneficial features for us in Xero is the ability to provide remote access to our financial information which is specific to user requirements. This allows us to enter data and then send a query direct to our accountant immediately so they can log in and review in their office, reducing our time spent on the phone or in meetings with them.

We also like the ability to upload bills and receipts to Xero. This has simplified our data entry and has considerably reduced the amount of paper we file and store in our office."