When "the app guy" rates Xero online bill payments, you know it must be good

Dan Quigley, Lead Accounting Technologist at MATAX, is a champion of integrating cutting-edge technology into traditional accounting practices, earning him the nickname "the app guy." His expertise lies in automating financial processes, allowing the firm’s team of six employees to focus on the strategic and analytical functions of accounting rather than manual data entry.

Despite being a small practice, MATAX serves a diverse client base ranging from not-for-profits to rapidly scaling, venture-backed startups to bigger companies operating in the health, technology, and architecture space and even creative ventures like bands and music venues.

By automating much of the "boring" accounting work, Dan says his firm can focus more on advising clients, discussing what the numbers mean, and providing valuable insights rather than just crunching data. “A big trend in accounting now is to leverage technology to handle the routine work, so we can focus on interpreting the data rather than just being in the weeds and processing it,” he explains.

As a Xero-exclusive firm since 2013, MATAX begins each client integration by thoroughly understanding their pain points and current systems. “We take the time to explore their current accounting system, if they have one, and identify key areas that need improvement. Using this information, we create a tailored process to streamline their financial operations.” Dan said.

To add value for their clients, MATAX maximizes Xero’s capabilities and features, such as Hubdoc for automated bank statement and receipt collection, and Xero’s cash flow forecasting and Business Snapshot to turn lengthy financial statements into meaningful, actionable insights.

Dan was part of a small group of advisors providing feedback on online bill payments. Now available, the feature deeply embeds BILL’s™ robust payments options, allowing customers to more efficiently pay their bills, without leaving the Xero platform. “Bill payments is a core need for any business. Being able to fully embed that into Xero without multiple touchpoints was really exciting,” he said.

Dan first tested the new bill payments feature for his side hustle - his own touring music band. “We paid bills for merchandise suppliers and our manager’s commission through the system,” he said. “Previously, I used external accounts payable software with Xero, and while it worked, syncing sometimes caused delays or errors. “With Xero’s online bill payments feature, powered by BILL, my bills can now be uploaded, approved, paid and reconciled all in one platform, which reduces the risk of sync errors and makes paying bills faster and more efficient,” Dan explained.

He also points out that having bills processed immediately simplifies reporting. “Once the bill is entered in Xero, it’s already reflected in the reports. There’s no need for additional syncing or troubleshooting. It’s all there, ready for review, which cuts down on time and reduces inaccuracies.” Moreover, the ability to pay vendors faster has been a huge advantage. “Our vendors, like the ones we buy merchandise from, are now getting paid quicker, which keeps them happy.”

MATAX clients have also responded positively to the streamlined process. “The universal feedback has been that it’s great to have everything centralized in one platform," he said.

For firms looking to incorporate Xero’s online bill payments feature in their accounts payable, Dan offers this advice:

1. Start small: “Begin with a small test run—maybe with one vendor or client—before rolling it out on a larger scale. That way, you can ensure it fits well into your workflow.”
2. Phase in gradually: “Don’t try to overhaul your entire bill payment process all at once. Build it out step-by-step to ensure a smooth transition.”
3. Get hands-on: “There’s no substitute for actually using the tool. You learn far more by experimenting with it in real situations than by just reading about its features.”