INTRODUCTION
In early 2024, a national theatre in Ireland approached Mercurius Advisory Services for help with financial record discrepancies caused by their outdated Sage 50 accounting system. Mercurius provided support in transitioning to a modern platform and reliable bookkeeping, successfully cleaning up their records and migrating them to Xero for improved accessibility and organization.
DISCUSSION
Established in 1963 by Father Pat Ahern, this cultural institution began as a grassroots movement and evolved into a professional performing arts group celebrating Irish folklore through dance, music, and storytelling. Over the years, its reputation and operations expanded across Ireland and internationally.
With growth came financial complexity, and the continued reliance on Sage 50 made it difficult to produce consistent reports, manage accounts efficiently, and remain fully compliant with evolving standards.
REQUIREMENTS
The client engaged Mercurius to:
• Review and rectify existing discrepancies in Sage 50
• Reorganize the chart of accounts and financial records
• Migrate complete historical and current financial data to Xero
• Provide clean and consistent bookkeeping on the new platform
• Generate reliable financial reports for board-level review
They sought a cloud-based solution paired with expert financial guidance to streamline operations, resolve discrepancies, and drive long-term efficiency.
SOLUTION
Mercurius deployed a team of in-house accounting experts with deep experience in data migration, cloud accounting, and nonprofit bookkeeping.
1. Diagnostic Review & Cleanup
We began with a thorough diagnostic of Sage 50 data to identify inconsistencies, duplicate entries, and missing records. Historical transactions were cleaned, categorized, and prepared for migration.
2. Xero Implementation & Setup
We configured the Xero environment, including the Chart of Accounts, bank feeds, user access roles, and reporting templates tailored to the theatre’s unique needs.
3. Data Migration
- Migrated historical data (FY 2021–2023)
- Reconciled bank and ledger balances
- Verified opening balances to ensure financial continuity
- Set up automation for recurring expenses and income streams
4. Training & Support
We conducted onboarding sessions for the internal team, enabling them to navigate and use Xero effectively for daily operations, reporting, and compliance.
The relocation was strengthened by our liaison’s unwavering support, quick delivery, and smooth communication. During this critical transformation, our team maintained business continuity with flawless execution.
CONCLUSION
The client now operates on Xero, with clean and structured books, automated processes, and real-time access to financial data. Reporting is faster, compliance is smoother, and collaboration across departments is seamless.
Mercurius not only ensured a smooth migration but also became a long-term support partner, providing ongoing bookkeeping assistance, reporting guidance, and Xero support.
Through strategic migration and cleanup, Mercurius transformed the client’s outdated financial operations into a cloud-based, reliable, and scalable system. The theatre is now well-positioned to manage its finances with greater control and transparency, while continuing to focus on its mission of celebrating Irish culture through the performing arts.
