Xero Awards UK 2024: How to enter
Here’s what you need to know to submit your entry for the Xero Awards. Entries are open until 10 November 2023.
Following are the categories open for entry in this year’s Xero Awards for the UK. Under each award name, you’ll find full entry criteria, the questions you need to answer, and a link to submit your entry. Feel free to use this information to draft your nomination with your team before submitting your entry. Entries close at 11:55pm, Friday 10 November 2023. Rules apply.
Awards criteria: UK accountants and bookkeepers
Awards criteria: App partners
Awards criteria: UK accountants and bookkeepers
Small Firm of the Year
This award celebrates the Xero accounting or bookkeeping partners that have cracked the formula for success. This category is for UK-based Xero partners that have no more than 10 employees.
Eligibility requirements
- Your firm must have no more than 10 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which includes outsourced employees if it’s a stable team of people, and including the firm owner.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- The award is based on achievements made in the last 12 months.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The Xero partner can nominate their firm in only one of the following award categories: Small Firm of the Year, Mid-size Firm of the Year, Large Firm of the Year, or National Partner of the Year.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Business vision
- Xero product use
- Xero ecosystem
- Knowledge sharing
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Business vision (max 300 words)
Tell us your firm’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
Xero product use* (max 300 words)
Tell us how your firm optimises the Xero suite of products and features to deliver a best-in-class experience inside your firm and for your clients?
You could talk about:
- Getting your practice and clients ready and filing using Xero Tax.
- Using Xero bookkeeping features to improve client cash flow.
- Offering value-added advisory services.
*Your suite of Xero’s products and practice tools
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax.
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, HubDoc, WorkflowMax, CIS, Online invoicing, payments and reminders, , Analytics or Analytics Plus, and Planday.
Xero ecosystem: (max 300 words)
How has your firm adopted technology from the Xero App ecosystem to gain practice efficiencies and boost client service?
You could talk about:
- Implementing apps and technology to improve internal workflows.
- Using apps and technology to enhance client onboarding and communication.
- Recommending and implementing the apps that improve the clients experience with their business finances.
Knowledge sharing (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?
You could talk about:
- Xero certifications and badges.
- Attending events, webinars: Xerocon, Xero Talks, Xero education courses and webinars, PC workshops, quarterly product updates and more.
- Media and PR: featuring on podcasts or webinars, media/press, use of social media.
- Client demos and education.
Mid size Firm of the Year
This award honours the innovative practices where success is simply business as usual. This category is for UK-based Xero partners that have between 11 and 99 employees.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have 11 to 99 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), which includes outsourced employees if it’s a stable team of people.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- The award is based on achievements made in the last 12 months.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The partner can nominate their firm in only one of the following award categories: Small Firm of the Year, Mid-size Firm of the Year, or Large Firm of the Year.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Business vision
- Xero product use
- Xero ecosystem
- Knowledge sharing
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Business vision (max 300 words)
Tell us your firm’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
Xero product use* (max 300 words)
Tell us how your firm optimises the Xero suite of products and features to deliver a best-in-class experience inside your firm and for your clients?
You could talk about:
- Getting your practice and clients ready and filing using Xero Tax.
- Using Xero bookkeeping features to improve client cash flow.
- Offering value-added advisory services.
*Your suite of Xero’s products and practice tools
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax.
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, HubDoc, WorkflowMax, CIS, Online invoicing, payments and reminders, , Analytics or Analytics Plus, and Planday.
Xero ecosystem: (max 300 words)
How has your firm adopted technology from the Xero App ecosystem to gain practice efficiencies and boost client service?
You could talk about:
- Implementing apps and technology to improve internal workflows.
- Using apps and technology to enhance client onboarding and communication.
- Recommending and implementing the apps that improve the clients experience with their business finances.
Knowledge sharing (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?
You could talk about:
- Xero certifications and badges.
- Attending events, webinars: Xerocon, Xero Talks, Xero education courses and webinars, PC workshops, quarterly product updates and more.
- Media and PR: featuring on podcasts or webinars, media/press, use of social media.
- Client demos and education.
Large Firm of the Year
This award recognises the heavyweight champions of the accounting and bookkeeping world that have achieved excellence. This category is for UK-based Xero partners that have 100 or more employees.
Eligibility requirements
- The Xero partner must have 100 or more employees.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- The award is based on achievements made in the last 12 months.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- The partner can nominate their firm in only one of the following award categories: Small Firm of the Year, Mid-size Firm of the Year, or Large Firm of the Year.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Business vision
- Xero product use
- Xero ecosystem
- Knowledge sharing
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Business vision (max 300 words)
Tell us your firm’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
Xero product use* (max 300 words)
Tell us how your firm optimises the Xero suite of products and features to deliver a best-in-class experience inside your firm and for your clients?
You could talk about:
- Getting your practice and clients ready and filing using Xero Tax.
- Using Xero bookkeeping features to improve client cash flow.
- Offering value-added advisory services.
*Your suite of Xero’s products and practice tools
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax.
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, HubDoc, WorkflowMax, CIS, Online invoicing, payments and reminders, , Analytics or Analytics Plus, and Planday.
Xero ecosystem: (max 300 words)
How has your firm adopted technology from the Xero App ecosystem to gain practice efficiencies and boost client service?
You could talk about:
- Implementing apps and technology to improve internal workflows.
- Using apps and technology to enhance client onboarding and communication.
- Recommending and implementing the apps that improve the clients experience with their business finances.
Knowledge sharing (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?
You could talk about:
- Xero certifications and badges.
- Attending events, webinars: Xerocon, Xero Talks, Xero education courses and webinars, PC workshops, quarterly product updates and more.
- Media and PR: featuring on podcasts or webinars, media/press, use of social media.
- Client demos and education.
National Partner of the Year
This award goes to a partner with a national presence who has added significant value to clients across the United Kingdom and championed the use of Xero and cloud technology.
Eligibility requirements
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- Your firm must have 100 or more employees and have more than 5 sites nationwide (or be made up of independent accounting firms nationwide).
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Business vision
- Xero product use
- Xero ecosystem
- Knowledge sharing
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Business vision (max 300 words)
Tell us your firm’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
Xero product use* (max 300 words)
Tell us how your firm optimises the Xero suite of products and features to deliver a best-in-class experience inside your firm and for your clients?
You could talk about:
- Getting your practice and clients ready and filing using Xero Tax.
- Using Xero bookkeeping features to improve client cash flow.
- Offering value-added advisory services.
*Your suite of Xero’s products and practice tools
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax.
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, HubDoc, WorkflowMax, CIS, Online invoicing, payments and reminders, , Analytics or Analytics Plus, and Planday.
Xero ecosystem: (max 300 words)
How has your firm adopted technology from the Xero App ecosystem to gain practice efficiencies and boost client service?
You could talk about:
- Implementing apps and technology to improve internal workflows.
- Using apps and technology to enhance client onboarding and communication.
- Recommending and implementing the apps that improve the clients experience with their business finances.
Knowledge sharing (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?
You could talk about:
- Xero certifications and badges.
- Attending events, webinars: Xerocon, Xero Talks, Xero education courses and webinars, PC workshops, quarterly product updates and more.
- Media and PR: featuring on podcasts or webinars, media/press, use of social media.
- Client demos and education.
Bookkeeping Partner of the Year
This award recognises a Xero bookkeeping partner based in the UK who has shown commitment to leading the way with Xero and has achieved significant success.
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero partner.
- Your bookkeeping practice must be based in the UK.
- Your practice licence must be held with AAT, ICB or IAB
- You must offer predominantly bookkeeping services
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Business vision
- Xero product use
- Xero ecosystem
- Knowledge sharing
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Business vision (max 300 words)
Tell us your firm’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
Xero product use* (max 300 words)
Tell us how your firm optimises the Xero suite of products and features to deliver a best-in-class experience inside your firm and for your clients?
You could talk about:
- Getting your practice and clients ready and filing using Xero Tax.
- Using Xero bookkeeping features to improve client cash flow.
- Offering value-added advisory services.
*Your suite of Xero’s products and practice tools
- Practice tools: Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers, Xero Tax.
- Xero products: Xero for your practice, Xero Projects, Xero Expenses, Xero Payroll, HubDoc, WorkflowMax, CIS, Online invoicing, payments and reminders, , Analytics or Analytics Plus, and Planday.
Xero ecosystem: (max 300 words)
How has your firm adopted technology from the Xero App ecosystem to gain practice efficiencies and boost client service?
You could talk about:
- Implementing apps and technology to improve internal workflows.
- Using apps and technology to enhance client onboarding and communication.
- Recommending and implementing the apps that improve the clients experience with their business finances.
Knowledge sharing (max 300 words)
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?
You could talk about:
- Xero certifications and badges.
- Attending events, webinars: Xerocon, Xero Talks, Xero education courses and webinars, PC workshops, quarterly product updates and more.
- Media and PR: featuring on podcasts or webinars, media/press, use of social media.
- Client demos and education.
Total Xero
This award is for accountants or bookkeepers that have made Xero part of their business’ DNA. They’re champions of the cause and have shown an unwavering dedication to using Xero with all suitable clients using Xero and the app ecosystem.
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero silver partner or above.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- The award is based on achievements made in the last 12 months.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
- Your practice must run on Xero using your free premium subscription.
- Using Xero’s adjacent and practice products such as Xero Tax, Xero Practice Manager, Workpapers, Hubdoc, Projects and Expenses is preferable.
- All small business clients must be on Xero where possible.
What we’re looking for
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
How has using Xero as the core accounting software for your client base, and your own firm, enabled you to innovate or lead the way within the accounting and bookkeeping industry?
You could talk about:
- The practice efficiencies gained from using Xero along with relevant practice products such as Xero Tax and Xero Practice Manager within your own firm
- The efficiencies gained and opportunities that have arisen from using a single core accounting tool across your entire small business client base
- The suite of Xero ecosystem apps you’ve connected with Xero to optimise your practice and client experience
How has your firm invested in marketing, promotion and education of Xero as your software of choice?
You could talk about:
- Investing in marketing support to promote Xero expertise to prospective clients
- Hosting events, webinars, workshops
- Featuring on industry podcasts, external webinars, media/press
- Leveraging social media
- Sharing Xero expertise with the wider industry
What sets your firm apart from other accounting or bookkeeping firms across the UK?
You could talk about:
- The experience you provide your clients
- The tech or app stack you use
- A niche you’ve chosen to focus on
- Your status and influence across the accounting industry (for both peers and small businesses)
Please list all adjacent Xero products that you utilise for your firm and clients, and a brief explanation to the extent of use.
Adjacent products include:
- Xero Tax
- Xero Practice Manager
- Xero Workpapers
- Hubdoc
- Expenses
- Projects
- Analytics Plus
Community Impact
We want to shine a spotlight on Xero partners that have gone above and beyond outside of the office. While they’re great accountants, they also give back to the community. This award is open to UK partners of any practice size and partner status.
We’re looking for partners that have made a positive impact to a cause or on the life of an individual or group of people outside of the day to day of accountancy and client management. Whether that’s addressing a socio-economic challenge, improving social inclusion, making impactful environmental or sustainability improvements, or something else, we want to hear from you.
Eligibility requirements
- This award is open to UK partners of any practice size and partner status.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- The project or initiative must have been completed between October 2022 and September 2023 or if ongoing, results from October 2022 to September 2023 to be shown.
- Entrants must be a Xero partner.
What we’re looking for
Xero partners that have gone to incredible lengths to make a positive impact to a cause or on the life of an individual or a group of people in need of support.
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Why did you choose to support this person, group of people or cause?
How have you or your firm supported this cause over the last 12 months?
What positive impact and difference have you and your practice made as a result?
You could talk about:
- Addressing a socio-economic challenge to benefit people and communities, eg. charities, schools, community organisations and social enterprises.
- Improving social inclusion for an individual or group of people eg. improving skills, mental or social wellbeing, addressing their financial or health barriers.
- Responding to the impact of climate change or initiatives to help individuals or communities.
Innovative Partner of the Year
We’re looking for a Xero partner who has demonstrated innovation in their business over the past 12 months. Show us your cutting edge innovations and how your organisation has led change in your industry and community.
Eligibility requirements
- Your practice must be based in the UK
- You 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 October 2022 to 30 September 2023:
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Innovation
How has your business demonstrated innovation and strived for excellence in the industry?
What led you to come up with this innovative process or initiative?
How did you go about implementing this innovation? What challenges did you overcome along the way?
How did this innovation better your business and/or that of your clients? What were the results?
Most Valued Professional
Our highest honour and most prestigious award recognises an individual who is a Xero advocate through and through. This award is not open for partner applications and the winner will be chosen by the Xero judging panel.
This award is selected and voted internally (by Xero).
Eligibility requirements
- Must be a Xero partner.
- Your practice must be based in the UK.
- Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.
Awards criteria: App partners
UK Small Business App of the Year
This award recognises an app partner with a proven track record of growth with Xero’s UK customers, who provides a fantastic user experience and has a world-class engagement program.
Eligibility requirements
- Your business must be based in the UK.
- The app has been in Xero’s marketplace since before 1 October 2022.
- Assessment is based on the period October 2022 – September 2023.
- As per Xero’s App partner programme, the minimum requirement is a Xero web page that includes a ‘Try Xero’ button with XTID code.
- Minimum requirement to have completed OAauth2 migration or confirmed migration due date.
What we’re looking for
The judges will assess your application based on four criteria points – client care, innovation, knowledge sharing and Xero aficionado – which is to help form and direct your answer.
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Client care: provide exceptional client service to support customers meeting business needs.
- Innovation: design excellence, ongoing technical improvements and robustness of the integration to Xero’s API.
- Knowledge sharing: evangelising the value of using your app and cloud tools by offering programmes of engagement for your customers.
- Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner programme principles.
Judges will also consider:
- Customer growth: API connections and any associated growth.
- Great user experience: customer reviews on the Xero app marketplace and client case studies.
You also have the option of supplying a maximum of two case studies that showcase your service offerings and how they’ve made a positive difference for your clients.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Why do you think you should be titled UK Small Business App Partner of the Year?
UK Practice App of the Year
This award recognises a practice app partner who has a prominent and successful accountant engagement program and addresses the needs of UK accounting practices.
Eligibility requirements
- Your business must be based in the UK.
- App must be live in Xero’s marketplace and launched on or before 1 October 2022.
- Assessment is based on the period October 2022 – September 2023.
- As per Xero’s App partner programme, the minimum requirement is a Xero web page that includes a ‘Try Xero’ button with XTID code.
- Minimum requirement to have completed OAauth2 migration or confirmed migration due date.
What we’re looking for
The judges will assess your application based on 4 criteria points – client care, innovation, knowledge sharing and Xero aficionado – which is to help form and direct your answer.
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Client care: provide exceptional services to accounting and booking firms and to their clients.
- Innovation: design excellence, ongoing technical improvements and robustness of the integration to Xero’s API.
- Knowledge sharing: robust programmes of education and engagement for Xero partners.
- Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and to app partner programmes.
Judges will also consider:
- Customer growth: API connections and any associated growth.
- Great user experience: customer reviews on the Xero app marketplace and client case studies.
You also have the option of supplying a maximum of two case studies that highlight industry-specific to support your application.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Why do you think you should be titled UK Practice App of the Year?
UK Emerging App of the Year
This award recognises a new app partner that has made great progress with Xero in a short space of time. The winning app has provided a great user experience and has made an excellent start with engaging Xero’s customer base.
Eligibility requirement
- Your business must be based in the UK.
- App must be live in Xero’s marketplace and launched on or before 1 October 2022.
- Assessment is based on the period October 2022 – September 2023.
- As per Xero’s App partner programme, the minimum requirement is a Xero web page that includes a ‘Try Xero’ button with XTID code.
- Minimum requirement to have completed OAauth2 migration or confirmed migration due date.
What we’re looking for:
The judges will assess your application based on 4 criteria points – client care, innovation, knowledge sharing and Xero aficionado – which is to help form and direct your answer.
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Client care: provide exceptional client service to support customers meeting business needs.
- Innovation: design excellence and robustness of the integration to Xero’s API.
- Knowledge sharing: evangelising the value of using your app and cloud tools.
- Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner programme principles.
Judges will also consider:
- Intent: judging will be based on the early success of the app partner, including advocating for Xero and improving volume and quality of reviews on the app marketplace as well as early indicators of connection growth.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Why do you think you should be titled UK Emerging App Partner of the Year?
UK Financial Services App of the Year
We’re looking for a financial services app that demonstrates how connecting to Xero and key financial services improves the lives of Xero users. In particular, this app will focus on solving one of the financial services challenges of the current environment.
Eligibility requirement
- App must be live in Xero’s marketplace Assessment is based on the period October 2022 – September 2023.
- Minimum requirement to have completed OAauth2 migration or confirmed migration due date.
- App must be contracted with Xero under payments or lending integration agreement
- Lending partners - minimum requirement to have built the writeback feature
What we’re looking for:
The judges will assess your application based on 4 criteria points – client care, innovation, knowledge sharing and Xero aficionado – which is to help form and direct your answer.
Assessment is based on the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:
- Client care: provide exceptional client service to support customers meeting business needs.
- Innovation: design excellence and robustness of the integration to Xero’s API.
- Knowledge sharing: evangelising the value of using your app and cloud tools.
- Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner programme principles.
Judges will also consider:
- Customer growth: API connections and any associated growth.
- Great user experience: customer reviews on the Xero app marketplace and client case studies.
You also have the option of supplying a maximum of two case studies that highlight industry-specific to support your application.
Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:
Considering the information above, why do you think you should be titled UK Financial Service App of the Year?
UK Xero awards entry rules
Good luck!
We look forward to receiving your entry!
Any questions?
If you have any questions please contact us at events.uk@xero.com