How the Dext Suite Supercharged These Bookkeepers’ Practices (And How It Can Do the Same for You)

Jeannie Savage
Jan 13
5 min read

Karen Andrews didn’t set out to become a bookkeeper. Her career actually began in medical research. But like many in the profession, she found herself managing the books for her husband’s business — and something just clicked. Today, Karen runs a thriving cloud-based bookkeeping practice in Melbourne with a team of ten, built on smart systems and streamlined software.

In Episode 96 of The Strategic Bookkeeper Podcast, Jeannie Savage sat down with Karen to unpack the tech behind that success — and why tools like Dext Prepare and Dext Precision have become absolutely non-negotiable in their practices.

This blog pulls back the curtain on their conversation — two bookkeepers who’ve walked the talk, scaled strategically, and wouldn’t run their businesses any other way.

Floating laptop and stationery above a desk, representing the power of smart bookkeeping tools like Dext to simplify workflows, reduce chaos, and elevate modern practices.

Starting from Scratch — With the Right Tools

One thing both Jeannie and Karen shared was the benefit of starting without outdated systems getting in the way.

Karen’s transition into bookkeeping came after her time in research, giving her a clean slate to build a cloud-first practice from day one. That meant no paper trails, no clunky manual processes — just clean, efficient systems with purpose-built software.

The very first tool she implemented? Dext Prepare (or as some still fondly call it, Receipt Bank).

“From day one, every client had to use it,” Karen explained. “If they came in with something else, we moved them across. It’s just how we operate.”

Why They Both Swear by Dext Prepare

Let’s set the record straight — Dext Prepare is so much more than just a tool for receipt scanning.

It’s the engine behind efficient data entry, reduced human error, and countless hours saved from manual handling.

Both Jeannie and Karen credit Dext Prepare as a foundational part of running a modern cloud-based practice. Their favourite features?

Supplier rules that stick
Auto-publishing into Xero
A reliable, client-friendly mobile app
Seamless performance across both iOS and Android

Jeannie noted, “If I were starting again from scratch today, I’d choose Dext Prepare, Dext Precision, and Ignition without hesitation.”

And here’s why that matters…

It’s Not Just About Time — It’s About Confidence

When software is designed for bookkeepers and implemented well, the benefits go far beyond saving time.

It eliminates second-guessing. It replaces late-night stress about what might’ve been missed. It builds confidence in both the business and client experience.

“Success leaves clues,” Jeannie shared during the conversation. And in this case, the clue is clear: the bookkeepers who scale effectively all lean on a solid tech stack right from the start.

Dext Precision: The Secret Weapon They Didn’t Know They Needed

If Dext Prepare is the frontline automation tool, Dext Precision is the quiet achiever working behind the scenes.

Karen first discovered Precision back when it was still known as Xavier. Initially, she used it for file health checks during the quoting process — but over time, it evolved into an integral part of her firm’s entire workflow.

“The time savings have been massive,” she said. “It’s hands down the biggest time-saver we’ve ever implemented.”

Let’s Talk GST (Because It’s a Pain Without Proper Checks)

Karen used to run her GST checks manually — using Airtable to cross-check supplier ABNs and review consistency across accounts. It was time-consuming, repetitive, and far from scalable.

Now? Precision automates that entire process:

Reports flag multi-coded contacts
Users can click directly into Xero to fix issues
Once checked and cleared, they stay dismissed in future reports

“We used to spend two hours per BAS between a bookkeeper and account manager,” Karen said. “Now it’s closer to 15 minutes — and more accurate.”

Multiply that across a full client base and the time savings become staggering.

Scaling Smarter, Not Just Bigger

One surprising upside to adopting Dext Precision? It allowed Jeannie’s firm to scale down while maintaining the same revenue.

By automating the work that previously required extra team members, the business became leaner and more efficient — without sacrificing service or output.

Karen’s team noticed the benefits too. They preferred Precision over other solutions, praising its clean interface and ease of use.

“It’s very intuitive,” Karen shared. “We’ve built it into our weekly, monthly, and quarterly checks. It fits right into how we operate.”

What About Cost?

Of course, cost always comes up — but here’s the honest answer.

Dext Prepare pays for itself.

Dext Precision? It returns 5–10x the investment, easily.

Here’s why:

It replaces hours of manual checking every week
It significantly reduces the risk of error
It improves accuracy across the board
It gives you peace of mind — and better sleep

And you can’t put a price on that kind of peace of mind.

The Real Blocker? Trying to DIY Everything

One of the biggest reasons bookkeepers don’t get the most from software like Dext? They try to figure it all out alone.

Jeannie pointed out that many bookkeepers avoid asking for help — often out of overwhelm or uncertainty. But that approach can cost serious time.

Inside the Strategic Bookkeeper Program, support isn’t an afterthought. It’s built-in — with direct implementation help from Dext and support from Jo McMahon, Jeannie’s systems and team specialist.

One tribe member saved 15 hours of trial and error just by spending one hour with Jo.

That’s the kind of support that accelerates results.

The Game-Changer? Prescribe, Don’t Ask

One of the biggest mindset shifts in the conversation was this: stop asking clients if they want Dext.

Start prescribing it.

As Jeannie put it, “We’re like doctors. We diagnose. We prescribe.”

Clients want leadership. They want confidence. When bookkeepers turn up as professionals who know exactly what’s needed, clients feel more secure — and the business runs smoother.

Final Thoughts for Bookkeepers Ready to Level Up

Here’s the bottom line: great software isn’t an optional extra — it’s the difference between treading water and building a strategic, profitable business.

Whether you're solo or running a team, tools like Dext Prepare and Dext Precision can fundamentally change the way you work — and the way clients experience your service.