.png?width=812&height=188&name=Easy-Business-app-(colour).png "Easy Business App")
When you’re an accountant working with sole traders and small business clients, your software stack needs to do one thing above all else: make life easier.
That’s exactly what Kristy Wilson from In The Picture, one of Australia’s leading accounting firms for the entertainment industry, was looking for. With a diverse client base that spans from actors and musicians to teachers and tradies, Kristy’s goal was to simplify compliance without compromising on quality.
And when she discovered the Easy Business App, it ticked all the right boxes.
“For smaller clients, Xero can feel like overkill.”
Like many firms, In The Picture works with Xero for a wide range of clients. But for micro-businesses or sole traders with simple needs, Xero often introduces more complexity than necessary, and a higher price point too.
“If it’s a small, manageable client, I encourage them to use Easy Business App,” Kristy says. “It’s affordable, easy for clients to use, and saves us time.”
But getting there wasn’t always straightforward. The team often had to:
- Manually reformat CSV bank files to upload into Xero
- Deal with journal upload limits (300-line cap)
- Navigate BMS ID setup for Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- Map chart of accounts line by line during migration
Easy Business App turned that all around.
From day one, Kristy noticed just how much time Easy Business App could save, especially with data import and setup.
Here’s what made the biggest impact:
✅ Upload any bank CSV, no reformatting needed
“I used to spend ages converting CSVs for Xero. With Easy Business, I can upload pretty much anything. If it’s a format the system doesn’t recognise, they fix it within days.”
✅ STP setup with no ATO friction
“Setting up STP in other platforms means talking to the ATO and dealing with software IDs. With Easy Business, it just works, no SSID needed. That’s huge for us.”
✅ Bulk categorisation of 500+ transactions in under 10 seconds
“I’ve done 500 at a time and it works in about 10 seconds.”
With built-in search and bulk selection tools, Kristy’s team can fly through coding during BAS prep or year-end reviews.
✅ Xero compatibility when needed
When clients outgrow Easy Business or still need to lodge tax via Xero Tax, the team can export general ledger or trial balance reports in a format ready to upload.
“Even for transaction-level data, we can get everything into Xero using a manual journal through the conversion toolbox. It’s flexible.”
“We want software that helps us train clients, not frustrate them.”
Kristy often helps clients get up and running through live Zoom sessions, sharing screens and walking them through invoicing, payroll, and BAS.
What makes that easier?
- A clean, intuitive UI
- A linear payroll workflow with full visibility before anything is lodged
- A drill-down BAS report with full transaction detail
- In-app help centre and responsive support from a real person (no support tickets here)
“Our clients get real value out of the features, especially bank rules and bulk uploads. And if something’s not working, I can actually speak to someone about it.”
What about migration from Xero?
Kristy’s team often moves clients across at year-end. Her ideal setup?
“If I’m migrating someone, I’d like to bring in a year of transaction history and balances before that. That’s enough for year-end and keeps the ongoing workflow clean.”
And while the Easy Business team offers manual upload tools, they’re also working on automated migration features, including chart of accounts mapping and customer list imports.
“If you built that migration workflow for us, or even just did it for us, that would make it a no-brainer.”
Bonus: subscription flexibility
Another win for Kristy’s team? They can choose whether the client or firm manages the Easy Business subscription. That makes it easier to roll out the tool in bulk, and hand over payment control later.
“You can set it up under your firm’s email, and then transfer ownership if needed. That’s a really nice flexibility you don’t always get.”
Easy Wins for Busy Accounting Teams
Easy Business App gives In The Picture a way to offer small business clients:
- A lower-cost, easier-to-use alternative to Xero
- A compliance-friendly tool with no setup headaches
- A scalable workflow that supports their accounting practice
“For sole traders and small businesses, it just works. It saves us time, reduces manual work, and makes life easier for our clients. What more can you ask?”
