Xero Invoice Follow Up — How to Automate Payment Chasing (2026)
Updated May 2026 · 7 min read · by the Chaser team
Xero is excellent accounting software. It tracks your books, reconciles your bank, and generates professional invoices. But when a client ignores that invoice for 30 days? Xero sends one polite reminder and calls it a day. That's where Chaser comes in.
1. What Xero's Payment Reminders Can (and Can't) Do
Xero does include a “payment reminder” feature. Here's the honest summary:
| Feature | Xero | Chaser |
|---|---|---|
| Automated overdue reminders | ✅ Basic (1–2 emails) | ✅ 4-stage escalation |
| Escalating tone (friendly → firm → legal) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Custom reminder timing | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Per invoice |
| Stripe payment links in emails | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| “Debt collector” final escalation | ❌ No | ✅ Stage 4 |
| Email open tracking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Bank reconciliation + accounting | ✅ Full suite | ❌ Not focus |
| Monthly cost | $15–78/mo | Free / €20/mo |
Xero is an accounting tool. Its invoice reminders exist because customers asked for them — but they're not the core product. Chaser was built from day one to solve exactly one problem: getting paid.
2. The Gap Xero Leaves Open
Here's what typically happens with a late Xero invoice:
With Chaser layered on top, the same scenario becomes:
3. How to Use Xero + Chaser Together (Right Now)
Until our direct Xero integration launches, here's the most efficient workflow:
Create the invoice in Xero (as usual)
Keep using Xero for your accounting. Send the invoice to your client from Xero to maintain your accounting trail and bank reconciliation.
Recreate the same invoice in Chaser
Add the same invoice to Chaser: client email, amount, due date. Use the same invoice number for your records. This takes about 60 seconds. Alternatively, export from Xero as CSV and import to Chaser.
Let Chaser handle the chasing
Chaser monitors the due date and automatically sends escalating reminders on your behalf. You get notified when the client opens the email or when they pay.
Mark as paid in both Xero and Chaser
When payment comes in, reconcile in Xero as usual and mark the invoice as paid in Chaser. Done.
Export tip:In Xero, go to Accounts → Sales → Export as CSV. Chaser's CSV import accepts client name, email, amount, invoice number and due date columns.
4. What Chaser Adds on Top of Xero
🔥 4-Stage Escalation
From “friendly heads up” to “debt collector threat” — Chaser sends the right tone at the right time. Xero sends the same polite email twice and hopes for the best.
💳 Stripe Payment Links in Every Email
Every reminder contains a “Pay now” button powered by Stripe. Clients can pay by card, iDEAL or bank transfer in one click — no login required.
👁️ Email Open Tracking
See exactly when your client opened each reminder. “I didn't receive it” is no longer a valid excuse. Chaser logs every open with a timestamp.
⚡ Manual Nudge Any Time
Spoken to your client and want to fire off the next escalation stage early? Hit “Send nudge” from the invoice page. Chaser updates the escalation counter automatically.
5. Coming Soon: Direct Xero Integration 🔌
We know the manual sync workflow isn't perfect. That's why we're building a direct Xero integration that will:
- Automatically import overdue Xero invoices into Chaser
- Sync payment status back to Xero when a client pays via Chaser
- Let you manage everything from the Chaser dashboard — no double entry
- One-click connect: OAuth with your Xero account
Get early access to the Xero integration 🚀
Sign up for Chaser now and we'll notify you the moment the Xero integration goes live. Early users get 3 months Pro free as a thank you.
The Bottom Line
Xero and Chaser aren't competitors — they're complements. Xero is your accounting backbone. Chaser is your collections engine. Together, they give you:
- Professional invoicing with full accounting trail (Xero)
- Automated multi-stage payment escalation (Chaser)
- Stripe payment links in every reminder email (Chaser)
- Bank reconciliation and tax reporting (Xero)
Most Xero users who try Chaser recover their first overdue invoice within 48 hours. At €20/month for unlimited invoices, that's an easy ROI calculation. 🐕