Overview
When it comes to small business accounting software, Xero is a global leader. Xero leads the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom cloud accounting markets, and the software is now used by more than 2 million people worldwide.
Open Colleges has teamed up with Xero education partner, The Career Academy, to bring you the Certificate in Xero short course. Developed and delivered by industry experts, this online course will provide you with an introduction to the core components of Xero. You’ll learn essential skills and gain a greater understanding of everything you can achieve with Xero.
You'll also have access to a ‘Try It Yourself’ Xero Learn account, so you can put what you’ve learnt into practice and gain first-hand experience of what it’s like to use Xero in the real world.
What you’ll learn
In this course you’ll learn how to:
- access the chart of accounts and then customise the account listing to suit your needs;
- identify the different invoice types, create invoices, customise invoice templates, and apply branding themes;
- create quotes, customer statements, and the difference between tracked and untracked inventory; and
- understand the processes for managing bills, repeating bills and credit notes, and how to apply full and partial payments to bills.
Benefits to you
When completing this course, you’ll:
- develop the foundational skills needed to effectively use Xero Accounting software;
- learn how to use Xero Accounting to manage your business accounts or your clients’ accounts;
- get up to six months access to Xero included with your course through Xero Learn;
- earn 15 Continuing Professional Development hours;
- obtain an industry-recognised qualification that is accredited by the ICOES (the International Council for Online Educational Standards) and the IAAP (International Association of Accounting Professionals) after passing your final assessment; and
- have the choice to complete Xero's official advisor certification in addition to your course qualification.
Complete at your pace
The Certificate in Xero short course can be completed at your own pace.
With six months access, you can study when it’s convenient for you. Study intensively and complete it in a matter of days or put in a few hours a week and complete it over a longer period – the choice is yours.
Overview
When it comes to small business accounting software, Xero is a global leader. Xero leads the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom cloud accounting markets, and the software is now used by more than 2 million people worldwide.
Open Colleges has teamed up with Xero education partner, The Career Academy, to bring you the Certificate in Xero short course. Developed and delivered by industry experts, this online course will provide you with an introduction to the core components of Xero. You’ll learn essential skills and gain a greater understanding of everything you can achieve with Xero.
You'll also have access to a ‘Try It Yourself’ Xero Learn account, so you can put what you’ve learnt into practice and gain first-hand experience of what it’s like to use Xero in the real world.
What you’ll learn
In this course you’ll learn how to:
- access the chart of accounts and then customise the account listing to suit your needs;
- identify the different invoice types, create invoices, customise invoice templates, and apply branding themes;
- create quotes, customer statements, and the difference between tracked and untracked inventory; and
- understand the processes for managing bills, repeating bills and credit notes, and how to apply full and partial payments to bills.
Benefits to you
When completing this course, you’ll:
- develop the foundational skills needed to effectively use Xero Accounting software;
- learn how to use Xero Accounting to manage your business accounts or your clients’ accounts;
- get up to six months access to Xero included with your course through Xero Learn;
- earn 15 Continuing Professional Development hours;
- obtain an industry-recognised qualification that is accredited by the ICOES (the International Council for Online Educational Standards) and the IAAP (International Association of Accounting Professionals) after passing your final assessment; and
- have the choice to complete Xero's official advisor certification in addition to your course qualification.
Complete at your pace
The Certificate in Xero short course can be completed at your own pace.
With six months access, you can study when it’s convenient for you. Study intensively and complete it in a matter of days or put in a few hours a week and complete it over a longer period – the choice is yours.
Who's this for?
The Certificate in Xero short course has been designed for people looking to expand their knowledge of Xero online accounting software. This short course has been developed in a way that makes the course content easy to understand; which means that even if you have no prior experience with accounting software, you’ll be able to gain a thorough understanding of Xero.
This short online course is ideal for both small business owners and professionals.
As a small business owner, participating in this course means that you don’t need to hire a professional to manage your accounts – you can do it all yourself with Xero. For professionals, the benefit lies in upskilling and making yourself an even more valuable team member with your knowledge of Xero.
This course is ideal for:
- small business owners who are looking to invest in Xero to help manage their accounts;
- managers or supervisors wanting to learn more about Xero; and
- accounting and finance professionals looking to expand their skillset.
This course also addresses some common challenges, including:
- navigating the Xero dashboard;
- understanding the Xero chart of accounts;
- creating different types of invoices in Xero;
- reporting in Xero and how to customise reports; and
- understanding the different types of add-ons that integrate with Xero.
Course Content
| CACD001-1 |
Introduction to Xero |
This module will provide you with an understanding of the basics of Xero so you have a better understanding of the system, how it works and how you can maximise its efficiency.
Learning Content
-
Cloud computing and the benefits of using Xero
-
What the system requirements are to use Xero
-
Navigate your Xero Dashboard
-
Setting up two-step authentication
Learning Activities
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
Gain an understanding of the basics of Xero
-
Learn how to navigate Xero
-
Understand how to make Xero work for you
| CACD001-2 |
Xero Chart of Accounts |
What is the Xero chart of accounts? The chart of accounts is where you can find a listing of all the accounts involved in a company’s daily operations. In this module, you'll learn about the chart of accounts and how to use and navigate it.
Learning Content
-
Accessing the chart of accounts in Xero
-
Updating and editing accounts
-
Account classification groups and code ranges
-
Automatic process for tax settings
-
Importing a chart of accounts
Learning Activities
Topic Takeaways and Tools
| CACD001-3 |
Managing Contacts with Xero |
In Xero, you can split your contacts into two lists – suppliers and customers. By adding the groups and individuals your business deals with to Xero, you can keep all their information, including account balance, in one place. This module will teach you how to simply and effectively manage your contacts in Xero.
Learning Content
-
Creating new customers and suppliers in Xero
-
Changing and managing your contacts’ information
-
Importing and exporting contacts
-
Merging contacts and creating contact groups
-
Smart Lists and how to use them to run searches
-
Archiving a contact and restoring an archived or merged contact
Learning Activities
-
Create a new contact record
-
Import a new contact
-
Create a group of contacts
-
Explain the purpose of Smart Lists
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
Understand the steps to create new contacts, merge contacts and archive contacts
-
The benefits of creating Smart Lists
-
Running searches with Smart Lists
| CACD001-4 |
Xero Sales, Invoices, Quotes and Inventory |
Learn how to create different types of invoices, statements and quotes and how to customise them to suit your needs.
Learning Content
-
Different invoice types
-
Invoices, repeating invoices and invoices for groups
-
Quotes
-
Customer statements
-
Tracked and untracked inventory
-
Adding new inventory items
-
Multicurrency and tax rates in Xero
Learning Activities
-
Create an invoice
-
Create an invoice for a customer group
-
Create a quote
-
Convert a quote into an invoice
-
Create a tracked inventory item
-
Import the opening balance of an inventory item
-
Sell a tracked inventory item
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
How to identify the different invoice types, quotes and statements
-
Steps needed to create invoices, quotes and statements
-
Different options for multicurrency and tax rates
| CACD001-5 |
Xero Purchases and Bills |
Learn everything you need to know about adding and approving bills in Xero.
Learning Content
-
Bills, repeating bills and credit notes
-
Convert source documents to bills, repeating bills and credit notes
-
Apply payments and partial payments to bills
-
Batch payments and remittance advice
-
Erroneous payments
Learning Activities
-
Create a bill
-
Create a repeating bill
-
Record a payment against a bill
-
Summarise how to modify payments to bills made in error
-
Explain the processes for managing bills
-
Describe how to perform batch payments and send remittance advice
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
Identify and manage different types of bills
-
Understand how to apply different types of payments to bills
-
Learn what to do when a payment is made in error
| CACD001-6 |
Xero Bank Reconciliation and Managing Accounts |
Xero makes it easy for you to manage accounts and check if your actual bank balance and the bank balance shown in Xero match up. In this module, you'll learn about managing accounts, bank feeds and various bank reconciliation options.
Learning Content
-
Bank feeds
-
Bank reconciliation
-
Overpayments and prepayments
-
Various bank reconciliation options including create, transfer, match & discuss
Learning Activities
Topic Takeaways and Tools
| CACD001-7 |
Xero Reporting Overview |
Xero allows you to run and customise various kinds of reports. Understanding how to make the most of these reports will be hugely beneficial to you, whether you’re a small business owner or a professional.
Learning Content
Learning Activities
-
Customise a report
-
Run the ‘Aged Receivables’ report
-
Describe the most common types of reports in Xero
-
Explain the different report views
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
The benefits of running customised reports
-
Identify different types of reports and how to add a report as a favourite
-
Learn how to customise reports for different purposes
| CACD001-8 |
Introduction to Xero Add-Ons |
There are a range of different add-ons that can be applied to Xero. This module will look at some of the most popular add-ons and how you can use them to maximise efficiency.
Learning Content
Learning Activities
-
List four add-ons that integrate with Xero
-
Explain the key features of Hubdoc, WorkflowMax, Xero Practice Manager and Hubspot
Topic Takeaways and Tools
-
Understand what the Xero App Marketplace is and how to access it
-
Understand what add-ons are available and if they suit your purpose
-
Learn how to make the most of add-ons for Xero
How it works
After you’ve enrolled and paid the fee, you’ll receive an email containing login information and instructions on how to access The Career Academy’s online learning campus.
Once you have logged in, there is an introductory course you can take in the learning management system (LMS) and you can begin studying straight away.
This course is conducted 100% online, which means it is self-paced. You can study whenever you want, wherever you want, so long as you have access to the internet.
The course consists of:
1. Videos which will act to help give you a visual understanding of the course content, in addition to step-by-step instructions on how to complete specific tasks
2. Quizzes to test the progress of your knowledge
3. Xero Learn which you have access to for 6 months, so you can practice your skills
4. The Career Academy eLibrary which will give you access to a wide range of helpful topics
5. Tutors who are available from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Email is the preferred method of communication, but phone support can be arranged.
FAQs
Here's some answers to the most commonly asked questions around this course.
This course has been created and will be delivered by The Career Academy. The Career Academy is an award-winning online education provider specialising in industry-recognised qualifications, and they are also a Xero Education Partner with Xero Learn.
Throughout each module there will be learning activities that are designed to put what you’ve learnt into practice, using the Xero Learn platform. The Xero Learn platform is an excellent way to learn by doing, as you can get first-hand experience of what it’s like to use Xero for your accounting needs in real-world scenarios.
The learning activities cover the basics of Xero, so you’ll be able to complete everyday tasks easily and efficiently – such as adding new contacts into Xero, creating invoices and quotes, and running customised reports.
There is a quiz at the end of each module, and a final assessment that you must pass in order to obtain their certificates. Each quiz will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and the final assessment will take approximately 1 hour to complete. The final assessment is completed within Xero Learn via a link provided to you in the course.
Yes. When the quizzes are completed and you have passed the final assessment, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement which is available to download from the dashboard within the Learning Platform.
You can also choose to receive Xero's official advisor certification. This is facilitated by The Career Academy but you must obtain the certficate yourself through the Xero certification process. You'll need to register for this, and then you can choose to access the online courses or attempt the fast tracked assessment.
This course is industry-recognised and accredited by the International Council for Online Education (ICOES) as well as the International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP). Please note, this short course is not accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
This course is ideally accessed with a fast-broadband connection to enjoy a smooth learning experience.
To successfully complete this course, learners will require basic computing skills.
This includes:
- participating in online discussions; and
- downloading and storing files.
You’ll also need the following minimum computer and audio-visual requirements:
Hardware and Software Requirements
- Broadband internet connection
- 2GB of RAM
- Adobe Reader XI or equivalent
- Google Chrome browser
For Windows users:
- Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 8 recommended)
- 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
- Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher
For Mac OS users:
- Mac OSX v10.5 or higher (Mac OSX v10.6 recommended)
- 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
- Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher
Audio-Visual Requirements
- You’ll need access to software such as Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewer etc. to view online videos and images. The software mentioned is available as a free download from the internet.
Once you’ve purchased your course, within 2 business days, you’ll receive a welcome email from The Career Academy. This email will be from your tutor and it will contain login information and simple instructions on how to get started and access your content within The Career Academy's online campus.
As this course is delivered by The Career Academy, you’ll have the support of your course tutor from The Career Acedemy. The Career Academy's course tutors are available Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm and can be reached using the orange help button within the Learning Platform. You can also speak with them over the phone by calling 1800 837 550.
For any other post-enrolment support, such as technical support, you’ll need to contact The Career Academy directly. You can phone them on 1800 837 550 or email them at support@thecareeracademy.zendesk.com.
You’ll need to complete this course in the order it is presented in. This gives you an introduction and overview to the course, with each topic acting like a building block to prepare you for the next.
We do not facilitate the purchase of the Certificate in Xero short course over the phone. All enrolments for this course are online only. However, if you have questions, you are welcome to get in touch with us by clicking on the Enquiries tab in the menu above (right next to FAQs)
Subject to your rights under the Consumer Law, after the cooling off period of three business days, the course is non-refundable if you choose to cancel or withdraw from the course.
Please refer to the FAQ on the cooling off period for more information.
We encourage you to carefully consider whether this course is suited to your needs prior to enrolling and then during the cooling off period and ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions that apply.
The Certificate in Xero course has a maximum duration of 6 months, so you’ll need to finish your course within that time frame. It should take you approximately 15-17 hours to complete.
Your course expiry date is 6 months from the date of your enrolment.
Yes, there is a cooling off period of three business days from the date of enrolment. This means you can withdraw from the course within this cooling off period and receive a refund of the course price paid, less an administration fee of $100.
You will not be eligible for a refund within the cooling off period if you have downloaded, viewed or accessed over 10% of the content, or accessed and completed any assessment within the course.
We encourage you to carefully consider whether this course is suited to your needs prior to enrolling and then during the cooling off period and ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions that apply.
Yes. You can cancel your enrolment in the course at any time.
Subject to your rights under the Consumer Law, after the cooling off period of three business days, the course is non-refundable if you choose to cancel your enrolment.
Please refer to the FAQ on the cooling off period for more information.
Nothing further is required except access to a printer if you wish to print the written course material and the required internet connection.
You must be at least 18 years of age and reside in Australia to be eligible to purchase this short course.
Open Colleges have been authorised to sell this course on behalf of The Career Academy. Your enrolment in the course is subject to Terms and Conditions.
Our Privacy Policy will also apply and this details how we will collect, use and handle your personal information. In enrolling in the course, you agree to and accept the terms of our Privacy Policy, including that we will provide your information to The Career Academy for the purposes of your enrolment in the course. The Career Academy’s Privacy Policy will also apply to how they collect, use and handle your information.
It is important that you read all these documents carefully before you enrol as these are legal terms that will apply to you. By enrolling in the course, you agree to and accept the OC Terms and The Career Academy Terms will apply.
Unfortunately, we do not offer payment plans or government funding for this course.
The course price displayed includes GST and must be paid in full upfront, no discounts apply.
If you still have any questions about the course price and alternate payment options, please submit an enquiry through the ‘Enquiries’ tab.
Who is this course delivered by?
