Xero Awards New Zealand 2022: Entry criteria
Thanks to everyone who entered. Though entries are now closed, you’re welcome to review each award’s criteria.
Following are the 11 categories in this year’s Xero Awards. Even though entries are now closed, you can read each award’s criteria and questions. Entry rules applied.
Awards criteria: Accountants and bookkeepers
Awards criteria: App partners
Awards criteria: Accountants and bookkeepers
Small Accounting Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero accounting partner based in New Zealand who has shown commitment to leading the way with Xero and has achieved significant success.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have 1 to 8 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which includes outsourced employees if it’s a stable team of people.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The partner can be nominated in only one award category: Either the Small, Medium, or Large Accounting Partner of the Year award.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Xero knowledge and education: You demonstrate continued learning by remaining certified and staying up to date with Xero announcements and product releases.
- Xero products and Xero practice tools: You demonstrate how the practice makes good use of one or more Xero products and/or Xero practice tools.
- Innovation: You deliver effective value-added services and lead the way on industry changes.
- App solutions: You use apps to boost productivity and provide additonal value to clients.
- Marketing strategy: You show a commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Xero knowledge and education (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated its commitment to maintaining and increasing the level of Xero knowledge and education among staff?
You could talk about:
- Certifications: Advisory certification, payroll certification
- Events: Attendance at Xero roadshows, Xerocon, training workshops
- Webinars and videos: Quarterly product updates, education month, online learning at Xero Central, app advisory courses
Xero products and Xero practice tools (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero products and/or practice tools to become more efficient?
You could talk about:
- Using practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax
- Moving a significant number of clients onto Xero and streamlining the way you interact with them
- Using Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, WorkflowMax, Hubdoc
Innovation (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated innovation in delivering value-added client services in response to industry changes?
You could talk about:
- New or improved services you’ve started offering to clients
App solutions (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero App Store apps to boost productivity within the practice and/or provide smart client solutions?
You could talk about:
- Apps your practice has started using or is using more and the productivity impact
- Apps you’ve introduced and onboarded clients to and the benefits they’ve seen
Marketing strategy (max 300 words)
How has your practice shown commitment to raising awareness of Xero’s benefits?
You could talk about:
- Website optimisation, Xero advisor directory listing, hosting events, social media presence
- Internal communications strategy and engagement
Medium Accounting Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero accounting partner based in New Zealand who has shown commitment to leading the way with Xero and has achieved significant success.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have 9 to 24 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which includes outsourced employees if it’s a stable team of people.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The partner can be nominated in only one award category: Either the Small, Medium, or Large Accounting Partner of the Year award.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Xero knowledge and education: You demonstrate continued learning by remaining certified and staying up to date with Xero announcements and product releases.
- Xero products and Xero practice tools: You demonstrate how the practice makes good use of one or more Xero products and/or Xero practice tools.
- Innovation: You deliver effective value-added services and lead the way on industry changes.
- App solutions: You use apps to boost productivity and provide additonal value to clients. s.
- Marketing strategy: You show a commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Xero knowledge and education (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated its commitment to maintaining and increasing the level of Xero knowledge and education among staff?
You could talk about:
- Certifications: Advisory certification, payroll certification
- Events: Attendance at Xero roadshows, Xerocon, training workshops
- Webinars and videos: Quarterly product updates, education month, online learning at Xero Central, app advisory courses
Xero products and Xero practice tools (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero products and/or practice tools to become more efficient?
You could talk about:
- Using practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax
- Moving a significant number of clients onto Xero and streamlining the way you interact with them
- Using Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, WorkflowMax, Hubdoc
Innovation (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated innovation in delivering value-added client services in response to industry changes?
You could talk about:
- New or improved services you’ve started offering to clients
App solutions (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero App Store apps to boost productivity within the practice and/or provide smart client solutions?
You could talk about:
- Apps your practice has started using or is using more and the productivity impact
- Apps you’ve introduced and onboarded clients to and the benefits they’ve seen
Marketing strategy (max 300 words)
How has your practice shown commitment to raising awareness of Xero’s benefits?
You could talk about:
- Website optimisation, Xero advisor directory listing, hosting events, social media presence
- Internal communications strategy and engagement
Large Accounting Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero accounting partner based in New Zealand who has shown commitment to leading the way with Xero and has achieved significant success.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have 25+ full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which includes outsourced employees if it’s a stable team of people.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The partner can be nominated in only one award category: Either the Small, Medium, or Large Accounting Partner of the Year award.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Xero knowledge and education: You demonstrate continued learning by remaining certified and staying up to date with Xero announcements and product releases.
- Xero products and Xero practice tools: You demonstrate how the practice makes good use of one or more Xero products and/or Xero practice tools.
- Innovation: You deliver effective value-added services and lead the way on industry changes.
- App solutions: You use apps to boost productivity and provide additonal value to clients.
- Marketing strategy: You show a commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Xero knowledge and education (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated its commitment to maintaining and increasing the level of Xero knowledge and education among staff?
You could talk about:
- Certifications: Advisory certification, payroll certification
- Events: Attendance at Xero roadshows, Xerocon, training workshops
- Webinars and videos: Quarterly product updates, education month, online learning at Xero Central, app advisory courses
Xero products and Xero practice tools (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero products and/or practice tools to become more efficient?
You could talk about:
- Using practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax
- Moving a significant number of clients onto Xero and streamlining the way you interact with them
- Using Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, WorkflowMax, Hubdoc
Innovation (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated innovation in delivering value-added client services in response to industry changes?
You could talk about:
- New or improved services you’ve started offering to clients
App solutions (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero App Store apps to boost productivity within the practice and/or provide smart client solutions?
You could talk about:
- Apps your practice has started using or is using more and the productivity impact
- Apps you’ve introduced and onboarded clients to and the benefits they’ve seen
Marketing strategy (max 300 words)
How has your practice shown commitment to raising awareness of Xero’s benefits?
You could talk about:
- Website optimisation, Xero advisor directory listing, hosting events, social media presence
- Internal communications strategy and engagement
National Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award goes to a partner with a national presence who has added significant value to clients across New Zealand and championed the use of Xero and cloud technology.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have more than three sites nationwide or be made up of independent accounting firms nationwide.
- The Xero partner must have a national/key account relationship with Xero.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- National presence: You can show evidence of being a national partner.
- Goal-oriented services: You can show evidence of how your services have fundamentally helped clients to achieve their business goals.
- Firm growth: You can show evidence of growth in terms of new Xero clients.
- Xero knowledge and education: You demonstrate continued learning by remaining certified and staying up to date with Xero announcements and product releases.
- Xero products and Xero practice tools: You demonstrate that the firm makes good use of one or more Xero products and/or Xero practice tools.
- Innovation: You deliver effective value-added services and lead the way on industry changes.
- App solutions: You use apps to boost productivity and provide additional value to clients.
- Marketing strategy: You show a commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero both to clients and to your national offices.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Xero knowledge and education (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated its commitment to maintaining and increasing the level of Xero knowledge and education among staff?
You could talk about:
- Certifications: Advisory certification, payroll certification
- Events: Attendance at Xero roadshows, Xerocon, training workshops
- Webinars and videos: Quarterly product updates, education month, online learning at Xero Central, app advisory courses
Xero products and Xero practice tools (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero products and/or practice tools to become more efficient?
You could talk about:
- Using practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax
- Moving a significant number of clients onto Xero and streamlining the way you interact with them
- Using Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, WorkflowMax, Hubdoc
Innovation (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated innovation in delivering value-added client services in response to industry changes?
You could talk about:
- New or improved services you’ve started offering to clients
App solutions (max 300 words)
How has your practice used Xero App Store apps to boost productivity within the practice and/or provide smart client solutions?
You could talk about:
- Apps your practice has started using or is using more and the productivity impact
- Apps you’ve introduced and onboarded clients to and the benefits they’ve seen
Marketing strategy (max 300 words)
How has your practice shown commitment to raising awareness of Xero’s benefits internally and externally?
You could talk about:
- Website optimisation, Xero advisor directory listing, hosting events, social media presence
- Internal communications strategy and engagement
Bookkeeping Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero bookkeeping partner based in New Zealand who has shown commitment to leading the way with Xero and has achieved significant success.
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero partner.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Xero knowledge and education: You demonstrate continued learning by remaining certified and staying up to date with Xero announcements and product releases.
- Xero products and Xero practice tools: You demonstrate how your practice makes good use of one or more Xero products and/or Xero practice tools.
- Innovation: You deliver effective value-added services and lead the way on industry changes.
- App solutions: You use apps to boost productivity and provide additional value to clients.
- Marketing strategy: You show a commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Xero knowledge and education
How has your practice demonstrated commitment to maintaining and increasing the level of Xero knowledge and education among staff?
You could talk about:
- Certifications: Advisory certification, payroll certification
- Events: Attendance at Xero roadshows, Xerocon
- Webinars and videos: Quarterly product updates, online learning at Xero Central, app advisory courses
Xero products and Xero practice tools
How has your practice used Xero products and/or practice tools to become more efficient?
You could talk about:
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, WorkflowMax, Hubdoc
Innovation
How has your practice demonstrated innovation in delivering value-added client services in response to industry changes?
You could talk about:
- New or improved services you’ve started offering to clients
App solutions
How has your practice used Xero App Store apps to boost productivity within the practice and/or provide smart client solutions?
You could talk about:
- Apps your practice has started using or is using more and the productivity impact
- Apps you’ve introduced and onboarded clients to and the benefits they’ve seen
Marketing strategy
How has your practice shown commitment to raising awareness of Xero’s benefits?
You could talk about:
- Website optimisation, Xero advisor directory listing, hosting events, social media posts, activity in the Xero Official NZ Bookkeeper Partners group on Facebook.
Advisory Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero accounting or bookkeeping partner who has excelled in making a difference in the lives of their small business clients. This may include moving them to the cloud, offering business advice, training, community events and/or offering services supporting apps that integrate with Xero.
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero partner.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Customer advocacy: You can share testimonial feedback from clients showcasing the significant value provided, in the form of client reviews and/or case studies.
- Advisory services: You openly offer client advisory services related to cash flow, planning and business growth.
- Client and community engagement: You connect with clients and the wider community through events and drop-in days, raise awareness of the benefits of Xero, and have a social and marketing presence.
- App integration: You use one or more practice apps, tag clients in Xero HQ by industry, and use your advisory directory listing to promote connected apps.
- Xero commitment: You promote Xero where possible and prioritise Xero business edition plans and advanced features over Xero Cashbook and Xero Ledger plans. At least 60% of your clients must be on a Xero business edition plan.
- Utilising your network: You use your network to support clients’ businesses with a diverse range of services, such as IT, insurance, and legal services.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Customer advocacy
Provide two or more examples – either case studies or client testimonials – that showcase your service offerings and how they’ve made a positive difference for your clients.
Advisory services
List advisory or specialist services and coaching that you’ve provided relating to industry, cash flow, or general business.
Community and client engagement
Provide a list of one-to-many events, drop-in days, webinars and the like that you’ve run for clients over the last year, including rough attendance numbers.
App integration
List the Xero HQ apps you use, and the third-party apps from the Xero App Store for which you offer conversion services or advice. Include details of any cloud integrator partners you recommend.
Committed to Xero
Demonstrate the growth of your advisory services and your use of Xero accounting products and third-party apps from the Xero App Store across your client base.
Vertical Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the accounting or bookkeeping practice. This award recognises a Xero accounting or bookkeeping partner who has excelled in making a difference in the lives of their small business clients in a particular vertical. This may include community involvement and advocacy for customers in an industry segment such as trades, farming, professional services, childcare/education, etc. The winning partner offers specialist business advice, training, community events and/or services that support apps that integrate with Xero.
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero partner.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Customer advocacy: You can share testimonial feedback from clients showcasing the significant value provided, in the form of client reviews and/or case studies.
- Advisory services: You offer specialised advisory services related to cash flow, planning and business growth.
- Marketing: You promote yourself as a specialist firm in an industry vertical and have accolades/experience to support this standing.
- Client and community advocacy: You connect with clients and the wider community through events and drop-in days, raise awareness of the benefits of Xero, and have a social and marketing presence.
- App integration: You use one or more practice apps in the Xero App Store, tag clients in Xero HQ by industry, and use your advisory directory listing to promote connected apps.
- Xero commitment: You promote Xero where possible and prioritise Xero business edition plans and advanced features over Xero Cashbook and Xero Ledger plans. At least 60% of clients must be on a Xero business edition plan.
- Utilising your network: You use your network to support clients’ businesses with a diverse range of services, such as IT, insurance, and legal services.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Customer advocacy
Provide two or more examples – either case studies or client testimonials – that showcase your service offerings and how they’ve made a positive difference for your clients.
Advisory services
List advisory or specialist services and coaching that you’ve provided relating to industry, cash flow, tax or general business.
Client and community advocacy
Demonstrate differences made through adding value with clients and the wider community.
App integration
Works with partners from the Xero App Store for which you offer a tailored industry solution including conversion services and advice. Demonstrate the value proposition of this partnership and the impact it has had for clients.
Commitment to industry
Demonstrate how you support the growth and development of your team through providing industry relevant learning opportunities.
Awards criteria: App partners
Emerging App Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the app partner.. This award recognises a new app partner who has made great progress in New Zealand with Xero since 1 April 2021. The winning app partner provides an excellent user experience and shows serious intent to engage more deeply with Xero’s New Zealand customers. The winner also demonstrates continuous improvement in areas such as customer care, design, quality, functionality and technical innovation.
Eligibility requirements
- The app must have been newly listed on the Xero App Store (previously the Xero app marketplace) in the current or past calendar year.
- The app partner must be on the latest Xero App Store partner terms.
- The app partner must have a permanent New Zealand presence with at least one employee in New Zealand.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Great user experience: You can share positive customer reviews on the Xero App Store and/or case studies.
- Technical improvements/robustness: You invest in the app including upgrades as verified by a Xero developer evangelist.
- Customer advocacy: You can share case studies or testimonials from customers who use the app.
- Customer growth: You can share API logs, connection numbers and growth in those connections.
- NZ advocacy: You demonstrate the intent and ability to grow at scale in New Zealand and with Xero.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Great user experience
How does your product integration provide a world-class, market-leading experience? Include customer reviews on the Xero App Store and case studies.
Technical improvements/robustness
How does your app demonstrate design excellence and ongoing integration improvement to the API and Xero product/s?
Customer advocacy
Provide case studies of how your Xero integration has made a positive difference to Xero customers.
Customer growth
Demonstrate an outstanding adoption rate by Xero customers.
Future plans
Show your intent and ability to grow at scale with Xero.
App Partner of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the app partner. This award recognises an app partner with a proven track record of growth with Xero’s New Zealand customers, who provides an excellent user experience, and has a world-class engagement programme in place with the Xero New Zealand partner channel. The winner also demonstrates continuous improvement in areas such as customer care, design, quality, functionality, and technical innovation.
Eligibility requirements
- The app must have been certified and listed on the Xero App Store (previously the Xero app marketplace) prior to 1 April 2021.
- The app partner must be on the latest Xero App Store partner terms.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Great user experience: You can share positive customer reviews on the Xero App Store and/or case studies.
- Technical improvements/robustness: You invest in the app including upgrades as verified by a Xero developer evangelist.
- Customer advocacy: You can share case studies or testimonials from customers who use the app.
- Customer growth: You can share API logs, connection numbers and growth in those connections.
- App partner program: You demonstrate best practice as a Xero app partner. The minimum requirement is a Xero web page that includes a ‘Try Xero’ button with XTID code.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Great user experience
How does your product integration provide a world-class, market-leading experience? Include customer reviews on the Xero App Store and case studies.
Technical improvements/robustness
How does your app demonstrate design excellence and ongoing integration improvement to the API and Xero product/s?
Customer advocacy
Provide case studies of how your Xero integration has made a positive difference to Xero customers over the last year.
Customer growth
Demonstrate an outstanding adoption rate by Xero customers.
App partner program
Provide evidence of best practice as a Xero app partner. Include a link to the Xero web page you’ve created which meets the Xero partner landing page guidelines and includes XTID code.
App Integrator of the Year
Nominations for this award category need to be made by the app integrator. This award recognises an app integrator with a proven track record of growth with Xero’s New Zealand customers, who provides an excellent user experience, and has a world-class training and support programme set up for their clients. The winner also demonstrates continuous improvement in areas such as customer support, quality, functionality, expertise and technical innovation.
Eligibility requirement
- Eligible apps must have been integrating software to Xero from 1 April 2021.
- The app integration partner must have worked with 30+ clients since 1 April 2021.
What we’re looking for:
Assessment is based on the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Consulting services: You proactively offer consulting services to clients about app integration and implementation.
- Leveraging network: You use your network to support clients’ businesses with a diverse range of software programs.
- Customer advocacy: You can share case studies or testimonials from customers who have used your app integration service.
- Innovative solutions: You provide innovative and/or value-add solutions to clients.
- Industry knowledge: You demonstrate knowledge of your clients’ industry or business area.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Great user experience
How do you provide product integration to achieve a world-class, market-leading experience? Include customer reviews on an app integration experience and case studies or testimonials.
Technical improvements/robustness
How do your services demonstrate excellence and ongoing improvement?
Customer advocacy
Provide case studies or testimonials of how your integration has made a positive difference to Xero customers over the last two years.
Customer growth
Demonstrate an outstanding adoption rate by Xero customers.
Future plans
Show your intent and ability to grow at scale with Xero.