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- Merry Christmas & AFS Out-Of-Office Dates
- End of Year Preparations
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Important Notices
- Xero Tip of the Month: Utilising the Xero Files Feature
- Reminder: Xero Assistance Programme (XAP)
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Looking ahead
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As another year draws to a close, the team at Accounting For Schools would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your unwavering support and partnership throughout 2024. We genuinely value the trust you place in us and are proud to be a part of your school's financial journey.
Please note that our office will be CLOSED for the Christmas break starting Friday, December 20th, allowing our team to spend quality time with their families and recharge for the new year. We will REOPEN bright and early on Monday, January 13th, ready to work with you with renewed energy and enthusiasm. If you have any urgent queries during the break, Ben can be contacted on 021-915-233.
On behalf of the team at Accounting For Schools, we would like to wish you a very happy and safe Christmas. We look forward to working with you all in 2025! |
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With only a few weeks remaining until the end of the year, now is the time to ensure you're on track with your year-end preparations, particularly for the upcoming payroll requirements. To make your prep a little easier, we have put together a short to-do list below to help you best prepare for the upcoming holiday season. - Remember that there is a payroll on 24 December (PP20), so please ensure there is enough money in the bank to cover this.
- Please note that any termination (out of cycle) payments for PP19 will be deducted on 13 December and payments for PP20 will be deducted on 24 December.
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Be aware of any direct debit payments that will come out over the holidays, including the wages, so leave enough cash in the transactional bank account.
- Please reconcile all transactions you can prior to finishing up for the year; this may allow us to complete the GST returns and December management reports while you're still enjoying the sun.
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| Annualisations:
A reminder to have your annualisation forms signed and submitted to Edpay before your staff leave for the year.
It is a requirement for both the Principal and the staff member to sign the annualisation forms. Considering that the deadline for Edpay is January 29th, it's unlikely your staff will be available to sign them next year.
Q1 2025 Operational Funding Dates:
We understand the Q1 2025 operational funding notices are now available in Pourato. Please can you upload this to Google Drive - 2025 Accts - MOE Grant Advices folder.
You may have also noticed that the annual adjustment for 2024 was published at the same time. This adjustment ensures that accurate entitlements have been provided, which may result in a payment, a recovery, or no adjustment, alongside the Q1 payment. Quarter one, 2025 payments are scheduled to be in the bank accounts of schools on 3 January 2025.
Pay Equity Funding:
At the same time as the operational funding, your school will receive the next instalment of estimated funding for non-teaching pay equity settlements and collective agreements. This funding will be paid via Pourato under the payment type 'Non-teach support PE and CA funding'.
A letter containing information on how your funding is calculated is now available via the Secure Data Portal (SDP). Please download this and upload it to your AFS Google Drive folder (2025 Accts - MOE grants). |
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Unlocking Benefits for Schools Through All-Of-Government Contracts:
Schools can use All-of-Government contracts to purchase a range of goods and services. These contracts provide significant cost savings and favourable terms and conditions to schools.
If you're currently using a print contract for photocopiers and printers, New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) can help you review it. They can guide you in deciding if switching to the government’s Print contract could save your school money and offer better value.
Find out more about this and other contracts available to schools by emailing Print.coe@mbie.govt.nz or going to the below website which can be accessed by clicking on the button below. |
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XERO TIP OF THE MONTH: UTILISING THE XERO FILES FEATURE |
Go Paperless with Xero’s File Inbox Feature! Ditch the paper trail and switch to Xero’s File Inbox, a convenient and efficient document storage solution. This feature allows your school to move away from traditional archiving methods while enhancing both organisation and document accessibility.
While this feature doesn’t replace Google Drive (we still prefer you to upload the information needed for monthly Management Reports and annual accounts to the AFS Google Drive folder), it offers a secure and accessible place to store your school’s documents, such as lease agreements, supplier contracts, and insurance policies—all in one easy-to-access location. In your Xero file library, you’ll find an Inbox and a Contracts folder, with the option to add any additional folders you may need. You can upload files directly to the file library or email them straight to the Inbox folder.
To access your Xero inbox and create a folder: - Click your organisation name, then select Files.
- Click the "+ New Folder" option on the left hand side
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Name your folder, then click save.
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To email a file into your Xero inbox: - Click your organisation name, then select Files.
- Copy your unique Xero files email address (found in the upper right section of the Files Library).
- Add the email address to your email, attach your file and send.
- Move the file out of the Inbox folder and into another folder if you want it to be available permanently.
Or upload by: - Click the organisation name, then select Files.
- (Optional) Select a folder to upload the file to.
- Click Upload File, then select your file.
- Alternatively, you can drag and drop an attachment from your computer into the Files screen
Extra Tip: naming the files before you send them to Xero will save time filing them to folders |
REMINDER - XERO ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (XAP)
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Don't forget about the Xero Assistance Programme (XAP) this Christmas! While there are many moments of the festive season to savour and enjoy, Christmas can also be a busy and stressful time for many. That's why the Xero Assistance Programme (XAP) can be a real game-changer, offering valuable support to help you find balance and take charge of your well-being. The Xero Assistance Programme, provided through Xero’s partner, Benestar, offers free and confidential well-being support. Whether you're on an Ignite, Grow, or Xero Comprehensive plan, you can access this mental health support for free. It's also available to your staff members and their families. To learn more about the XAP Programme, click the button below. |
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271 Willis Street, Wellington 6011 |
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