How to manage currencies with Xero multi-currency

Thinking on a global scale has never been more crucial to growing a successful business. Your product or service can now reach those in countless countries. It’s great news for growth but the process of accounting for multiple currencies can be problematic and long-winded. Multi-currency within the Xero premium plans makes global accounting as simple as with a single currency and business in multiple currencies possible

Many man hours have been wasted creating complex spreadsheets that calculate values from fluctuating exchange rates all in the name of accurate reporting. While having the correct figures is essential, the tedious processes that were involved no longer are  When you account with Xero, you get the most up-to-date conversions, and rate changes, and can file reports in any currency making managing multi-currency transactions and international payments quick, easy and efficient.

How can Xero multi-currency help me?

Those with a Xero premium plan can access more than 160 currencies at the click of a button. Currencies can be set up when you are first creating your accounts or added as you need them. You can add as many as you require and have all the functionality of your base currency. You can even assign a currency to each person in your address book. Transactions involving that customer or supplier will automatically be created in the correct currency.

Some of the top benefits of Xero’s multi-currency capabilities include:

• The ability to record your transactions such as invoices and bills in international currencies
• Automatic conversion into your home currency, with up-to-date daily exchange rates
• Full transparency and reporting on foreign currency gains and losses
• Comprehensive support for bank accounts using foreign currencies
• Issuing and processing quotes and pricing estimates in foreign currencies

There are currently two Xero subscription tiers where multiple currencies are supported – these are Premium and Ultimate. Premium is priced at £42 per month, and Ultimate at £55 per month, but Xero offer savings for longer-term subscription packages.

With Xero multi-currency, international transactions are quick, simple, and straightforward.

The ins and outs

Xero pulls in its exchange rates from XE.com on an hourly basis. Your accounts will be automatically updated to reflect changes. The official day rate is the final rate at midnight in your organisation’s time zone.

Exchange rate calculations are rounded to 6 numbers including decimals. Any movement in exchange rates will be reflected in your reports. This means you are always provided with the most up to date figures. With real-time information, you can see how fluctuations in exchange rates affect your cash flow and business profits at any time.

What will it enable me to do?

The short answer is that Xero will enable you to do whatever you need to do, without the hassle of manually looking at exchange rates.

You can add foreign currency bank accounts. They will flow and be updated just as your accounts in your base currency.

You can create foreign currency invoices. These can be created using the exchange rate at the time of creation, or if you have a prior arrangement with a customer you can use a manual exchange rate.

You can create purchase orders and quotes, and all will be calculated precisely.

You can report in any currency. Automatically view your account balance, transactions, invoices, and bills in foreign and local currency.

Reconcile with ease

Reconciliations will be available with constantly updating figures. Reports will be automatically converted into your base currency for ease of use. A footnote will be added to all reports featuring exchange rates giving the specifics. Never will you have had such an accurate picture on the balance sheet, and never has it been so easy. Reports will be accurate and user-friendly enough to bring straight to meetings.

With multi-currency accounting software, your business can access and trade with businesses in a variety of countries in a variety of currencies around the world.