A Xero certified advisor certification stands out as a great way to improve your accounting practice. These certifications cost nothing and take only 3 to 8 hours to complete. I found that there was something special about this credential – it packs significant value while being available to accounting professionals.
The Xero certification course provides complete training for core products that helps you showcase your expertise to clients. On top of that, it lets you display official Xero badges across your marketing materials and social media profiles after certification. In this piece, you’ll learn about 12 online courses that lead to certification. These courses teach everything from client setup and ledger management to custom report creation. You’ll find honest, practical advice about becoming a Xero certified advisor and tips to pass the one-time assessment.
Understanding the Xero Advisor Certification
The Xero advisor certification means more than just another credential on your resume. It provides a detailed validation of your skills with one of today’s most popular cloud accounting platforms.
This professional designation proves you have proper education on the Xero platform. You can perform Xero-related services with precision and confidence. Your expertise becomes officially recognized rather than just self-proclaimed, which impresses potential clients.
Getting certified takes about 6-8 hours. This small time investment brings substantial professional rewards. You can choose from several certification paths:
- Online courses
- Live webinars
- Fast-track assessment (for those already familiar with Xero)
After certification, you and your firm receive an official certificate to showcase to clients. Xero partners also get digital badges when they reach specific status levels or complete specialized certification courses. These badges work great on physical and online marketing materials to showcase your expertise.
Your certification status requires completion of four quarterly product updates each year. This keeps you up to date with Xero’s evolving features and capabilities. The updates matter because accounting technology changes fast.
Certified advisors see real business benefits from their certification. Megan Shannon from CooperAitken shares, “Becoming certified gives you that affirmation that ‘yes – you do know the product'”. Georgia Goodman from Leech & Partners notes how certification helped attract new business: “I know that we’ve had new clients come on board because they know we’re platinum partners”.
The certification shows your dedication to professional growth. It equips you with practical skills that help clients through optimized financial management, better accuracy, and improved reporting capabilities.
How to Become a Xero Certified Advisor
Becoming a Xero certified advisor is a straightforward process that’s available to accounting professionals at any stage of their career. You’ll need to pick one of these three practical ways to earn your certification:
- If you work with an employer who has an existing Xero account, you can register for the Xero Certified Advisor Program and complete it at your own pace.
- Fresh graduates or professionals without employer Xero access can sign up for Xero’s free 30-day trial. Just make sure you can finish the program within this period.
- You can choose paid Xero certification courses from third-party training institutions, though this isn’t needed since official certification comes free.
Your first step is creating a Xero account:
- Visit the Xero website and sign up for a free trial
- Verify your email address
- Activate your account by setting a password
- Add your business information
Certification Process
The certification process is simple:
- Log in to Xero Central
- Click the Learning tab on your dashboard
- Go to “Xero certifications” and select “Get certified”
- Choose “Xero advisor certification”
You can complete the certification in approximately 6-8 hours. The certification brings many benefits. You’ll get an official certificate to show clients, digital badges for marketing materials, and a spot in Xero’s advisor directory.
Your certification status needs four quarterly product updates each year. This will keep you up to date with Xero’s latest features, especially when you have regular platform improvements.
The certification program helps you master Xero’s core features. You’ll develop valuable skills to provide better services to clients who need advisors skilled in this popular accounting platform.
Tips to Pass the Xero Certification Assessment
Success in the Xero certification program starts with good preparation. I’ve found several strategies that can boost your chances to pass the assessment on your first try.
The official Xero learning hub should be your starting point. This resource goldmine has many free, self-paced courses, videos, and webinars. You’ll find everything from simple setup steps to advanced features. The knowledge base comes packed with tutorials and help articles that solve common problems.
Getting hands-on experience is vital. Xero’s demo company feature lets you play around with test data without touching real accounts. Here’s how to access it:
- Click the list icon to the left of your organization name
- Select “My Xero”
- Look for the “Try the Demo Company” link at the bottom of the screen
Your Xero certification needs regular updates. You must pass quarterly knowledge checks about product updates to stay active, usually by December 12th each year.
The official resources are great, but you should also connect with other professionals through online communities. These forums help you learn about study tips and get support from others working toward certification.
Make the most of these resources:
- Xero webinars and events with industry experts
- In-depth study guides and practice exams from the official learning hub
- Resources from authorized Xero certification partners
The platform’s core functions need your dedicated attention. The certification test focuses on real-life application instead of theory. Time spent working with the software helps more than memorizing facts.
Note that while some providers charge for prep courses, getting certified through Xero Central for partners usually costs nothing.
Conclusion
A Xero certified advisor certification ranks among the most available and powerful career moves for accounting professionals today. This piece shows how professionals can earn this certification with just a few hours of focused effort to gain substantial professional benefits. The process stays surprisingly simple – you register, complete the training at your own pace, and display your expertise with official badges.
Practical experience with the platform will without doubt make the biggest difference as you prepare for the assessment. You should take full advantage of the demo company feature that lets you explore all functionalities without risk before taking your exam. On top of that, it helps to connect with other professionals through Xero communities for great insights you might miss otherwise.
The certification’s value goes beyond just having credentials. More clients now look for advisors who have verified expertise in cloud accounting platforms, which makes this certification a real business advantage. Aurora Financials can provide specialized help backed by certified Xero expertise if you need support with financial services like auditing or consulting.
Note that certification marks just the start of your Xero experience. You’ll stay current with new features through quarterly updates, and your developed skills will continue to boost your service offerings. Many accounting professionals once underestimated this certification, but it has proven to be crucial in today’s digital world.
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to become a Xero Certified Advisor?
Typically, it takes about 6-8 hours to complete the Xero Certified Advisor course. The certification process is designed to be flexible, allowing you to work through the material at your own pace.
Q2. Is there a cost associated with becoming Xero certified?
The official Xero certification obtained directly through Xero Central for partners is usually free. However, some third-party providers may charge for preparation courses or additional training materials.
Q3. What are the benefits of becoming a Xero Certified Advisor?
Benefits include receiving an official certificate, digital badges for marketing materials, eligibility to be listed in the Xero advisor directory, and the ability to demonstrate expert knowledge to clients. It also helps in attracting new clients and enhancing your professional credibility.
Q4. How can I prepare for the Xero certification assessment?
To prepare, take advantage of Xero’s free online courses, attend webinars, practice using the Xero demo company, explore Xero Central for structured learning, and utilize additional resources like blogs and videos. Hands-on experience with the platform is crucial for success.
Q5. How do I maintain my Xero Certified Advisor status?
To maintain your certification status, you need to complete four quarterly product updates each year. This requirement ensures you stay current with Xero’s evolving features and capabilities, typically by December 12th each year.
