How Ned O’Shea Construction simplified accounting and job costing with Xero
CONSTRUCTION • IRELAND • XERO MIGRATION, TRAINING & SUPPORT
Ned O’Shea Construction wanted to move away from Sage Line 50 to a simpler system that better suited the way its accounts team worked. Xero provided a cleaner, easier-to-navigate solution, bringing accounting and job costing together while giving the team quicker access to the information and reports they need.
Ned O’Shea Construction Ltd is a construction business with an accounts team responsible for managing day-to-day financial processes, supplier and subcontractor invoicing, job costing and compliance.
The team needed an accounting system that was practical for everyday users rather than unnecessarily complex, while still providing the financial information required to manage individual construction jobs effectively.
“Xero is much cleaner software and quicker to navigate, so we can pull the information or reports we need far faster.”
Ned O’Shea Construction Ltd
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THE CHALLENGE Before moving to Xero, the business was using Sage Line 50. The system was more complicated than the team needed, and because the accounts team are not trained accountants, many routine tasks took longer than they should have. With Sage Job Costing also being phased out, the business needed a new solution that could simplify the accounts process while still providing reliable job-costing information. |
WHAT NED O'SHEA CONSTRUCTION NEEDED: — A simpler and easier-to-navigate accounting system. — Accounting and job costing in one solution. — Faster access to reports and financial information. — Less manual processing of supplier and subcontractor invoices. — A straightforward approach to VAT and RCT. — Practical training suited to the people actually using the system. |
WHY XERO AND MI SOLUTIONS
Before moving to Xero, the business was using Sage Line 50. The system was more complicated than the team needed, and because the accounts team are not trained accountants, many routine tasks took longer than they should have.
With Sage Job Costing also being phased out, the business needed a new solution that could simplify the accounts process while still providing reliable job-costing information.
THE CLIENT'S STORY
Practical training that built confidence
IMPLEMENTATION AND TRAINING
The migration itself became part of the training process. Kevin worked closely with the team throughout the move, explaining the system as it was being set up and helping build familiarity with Xero from the outset.
By the time the migration was complete, the system was already familiar. Further training with the wider accounts team was pitched at the right level for the people who would actually be using Xero, rather than being overly technical.
“Kevin was great. He was hands-on throughout the migration, which doubled as training on the new system, and by the time it was complete I was already comfortable using it.”
— Ned O'Shea
WHAT CHANGED
The move to Xero has given Ned O’Shea Construction much clearer visibility of where individual jobs stand financially. Month-end and year-end are now shorter exercises, while supplier and subcontractor invoices move through the system with less manual intervention.
The compliance side of the accounts has also become easier to manage, with VAT and RCT processes more straightforward for the team to review and stand over.
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CLEARER JOB VISIBILITY A much clearer view of the financial position of individual construction jobs. |
FASTER MONTH & YEAR-END Less time required to complete regular month-end and year-end accounts processes. |
LESS MANUAL PROCESSING Supplier and subcontractor invoicing moves through the system with less manual intervention. |
ONGOING SUPPORT
The ongoing support from MI Solutions has remained responsive and practical for Ned and his team. When an issue arises, the team can get it dealt with without having to repeatedly explain the problem or wait for it to be escalated.
For a busy construction business, being able to resolve an accounting or Xero query quickly is particularly valuable when something needs to be sorted the same day.
WHAT NED WOULD RECOMMEND ABOUT MI SOUTIONS:
“Responsive and practical. Queries get dealt with without needing to be escalated or repeated, which is what matters when something needs sorting the same day.”
— Ned O’Shea Construction Ltd
A PRACTICAL PARTNERSHIP
The combination of a simpler accounting system, practical training and responsive ongoing support has helped Ned O’Shea Construction make its day-to-day accounts processes easier to manage while gaining better visibility across its construction jobs.
Thinking about improving your Xero setup or training your team? Contact us below today!