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How to set up business profile on Xero

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Setting up your business profile in Xero involves navigating to Settings > General Settings and completing your organization details, contact information, and business preferences. This foundational step ensures accurate invoicing, reporting, and compliance with local tax requirements.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Xero account
  • Business registration documents
  • Company logo file (optional)
  • Bank account details

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access General Settings

Log into your Xero account and click the Settings icon (gear wheel) in the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, select General Settings to access your business profile configuration options.
Keep your business registration documents handy as you'll need specific details like ABN/TIN numbers.
2

Complete Organization Details

In the Organization Settings section, fill in your legal business name in the Organization name field. Enter your business registration number in Company number and select your Organization type from the dropdown menu (sole trader, partnership, company, etc.).
Ensure the legal name matches exactly what's on your business registration documents for compliance purposes.
3

Configure Contact Information

Scroll to the Contact details section and enter your business address, phone number, email, and website URL. This information will appear on invoices and official documents. Upload your company logo by clicking Upload logo and selecting an image file (PNG, JPG, or GIF format recommended).
Use a high-resolution logo (minimum 300x300 pixels) for the best appearance on printed documents.
4

Set Financial Year and Time Zone

Navigate to the Financial settings section and select your Financial year end date from the calendar picker. Choose your appropriate Time zone from the dropdown list and select your base Currency for transactions.
Your financial year end cannot be changed once you've entered transactions, so choose carefully.
5

Configure Tax Settings

In the Tax settings area, enter your tax registration number (GST/VAT number if applicable). Select your Tax basis (cash or accrual accounting) and enable Tax inclusive pricing if your business displays prices including tax.
Consult your accountant if you're unsure about cash vs accrual accounting as this affects your tax obligations.
6

Set Up Industry and Features

Choose your business Industry from the dropdown menu to enable relevant features and chart of accounts. Toggle on any additional features you need such as Inventory tracking, Multi-currency, or Projects in the Features section.
Some features like inventory tracking can be enabled later, but it's easier to set them up during initial configuration.
7

Review and Save Changes

Scroll through all sections to review your entered information for accuracy. Click Save at the bottom of the page to apply all changes to your business profile. Xero will display a confirmation message once your profile is successfully updated.
Print or save a copy of your settings for your records, especially tax-related configurations.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Unable to upload company logo

Ensure your logo file is under 1MB and in PNG, JPG, or GIF format. Try refreshing the page and clearing your browser cache, then attempt the upload again.

Tax registration number not accepted

Verify the format matches your country's requirements (e.g., ABN should be 11 digits). Remove any spaces or special characters and try entering just the numbers.

Cannot change financial year end date

Financial year end can only be changed if no transactions have been entered. Contact Xero support if you need to modify this after entering transactions, as it may require creating a new organization.

Missing industry option in dropdown

Select the closest available industry option. You can contact Xero support to request additional industry classifications or choose Other and specify your industry in the description field.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Xero website before purchasing.
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