Xero Awards Canada 2024: Winners

ConnectCPA aims to revolutionize financial management by leveraging cloud technology, with a focus on Xero's platform. They have structured their company into specialized departments to provide expert service in various areas, including accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and payroll. The firm extensively uses Xero's features and functionalities, such as Workpapers, HQ, Expenses, and Projects, along with third-party integrations through Xero's open API to create custom, automated solutions for clients. They have implemented innovative approaches like Robot Process Automation (RPA) to enhance efficiency and streamline processes. The practice demonstrates a strong commitment to Xero knowledge sharing through internal training, participation in Xero events, and public resources like blog posts, with 101 staff members certified as Xero Advisors.

Avalon Accounting focuses on empowering small business owners with financial education and support, using Xero as their primary platform. They maintain and share Xero knowledge through regular team training, educational content creation, and a comprehensive online course. The firm leverages Xero's features to provide efficient bookkeeping services, including customized reporting, automated processes, and integration with various apps. They ensure client satisfaction through active listening, empathy, and maintaining high employee satisfaction, resulting in a high Net Promoter Score. The practice educates and empowers clients in using Xero through personalized training sessions, diverse educational resources, and proactive support, aiming to make financial management accessible and enjoyable for small business owners.

MNP strategies for building client relationships and leveraging Xero's accounting platform to serve small and medium-sized businesses effectively. They highlight the importance of tailoring Xero's features to meet diverse client needs, from simplified accounting for smaller clients to more complex solutions for larger ones. The firm emphasizes continuous education on Xero's updates and features, disseminating this knowledge across their national team through various means. They use Xero to address the unique needs of their agricultural clients, including inventory management and multi-entity accounting. The firm stresses the importance of personalized onboarding, comprehensive training, and ongoing support to ensure client success and drive business transformation.

Twenty Eighty Financial Services Inc. developed an innovative advisory framework for small to medium-sized businesses, addressing the challenge of providing affordable yet comprehensive financial guidance. The approach focuses on delivering personalized advice and face-time rather than traditional reports, overcoming internal biases and implementation challenges. The framework has yielded significant financial improvements for clients, including increased cash flow, improved profit margins, and strategic cost reductions. The process emphasizes long-term goal setting, challenging client beliefs, and executing strategies to overcome roadblocks. They highlight the importance of dedicating time to strategy development, focusing on the emotional aspects of financial advice, and challenging the status quo to drive client success.

London Tax Depots Inc. demonstrates a commitment to community support, focusing on those who cannot advocate for themselves. Their efforts include providing direct assistance to Ukrainian refugees displaced by conflict, supporting the Stevenson Children's Camp for underprivileged children, and encouraging staff involvement in diverse cultural and community initiatives. A notable impact is seen in the case of a Ukrainian youth who, with the company's help, has found safety in Canada and is pursuing an electrical apprenticeship. The company plans to continue its support through ongoing involvement with charitable organizations, community awareness, and business networking, while also maintaining its role as surrogate family for the Ukrainian youths they've helped relocate.

Some of the reasons Lime Bookkeeping claimed the title of Canada’s 2024 People Choice Award is their skill in promoting Xero's benefits to clients, effectively onboarding them, and streamlining their operations through the platform's features. Their innovative approaches include implementing a three-tier pricing model and utilizing various Xero-integrated apps to provide comprehensive services to businesses of all sizes. Their commitment to cloud-based solutions, client training, and continuous improvement through professional development has led to significant growth in client’s business and high client satisfaction.

A2X addresses the complexities of ecommerce accounting by automating data import, categorization, and summarization for Xero users, saving accountants significant time. A2X has commitment to client care, innovation, knowledge sharing, and Xero advocacy. The company has integrated AI into various aspects of their operations, including customer support, content creation, and product development. The app streamlines workflows for Xero users dealing with ecommerce clients, allowing accountants to focus on providing strategic advice rather than manual data processing.

Countable maintains a strong advocacy for Xero, user-centric approach, and rapid growth, with 125+ firms representing $300K in revenue and a promising pipeline. It highlights the upcoming launch of AI CoPilot, which will automate various tasks, enhance user experience, and optimize operations. The app's integration with Xero offers seamless data flow, real-time trial balance checks, and the ability to push entries back to Xero. Future plans include deeper integrations with Xero products and additional features to streamline year-end compliance and advisory work for accounting firms.