The Accounting Partner of the Year award honors the Xero accounting partner who has used Xero to provide unparalleled value-added services to their clients. The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding commitment, innovation and expertise in financial management - including from an advisory perspective - to enhance their role as a trusted advisor to their clients. It also recognizes the Xero partner who has gone above and beyond to drive success and transformation within their practices and for their clients.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a Xero partner
Award is open to US partners of any practice size and partner status; your practice must be based in the US
You must predominantly offer accounting services
The award is based on achievements made in the 12 months between the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

Assessment is based on the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:

Xero utilization and expertise: demonstrates proficient utilization of Xero's features and functionalities to optimize financial management processes
Client impact and satisfaction: maintains high levels of client satisfaction, as evidenced by testimonials, feedback and client retention rates and provides exceptional training and support to clients in utilizing Xero effectively, empowering them to make informed financial decisions and maximize the value of the platform.
Innovation and technology adoption: shows innovation in leveraging technology and automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy and client service delivery
Community engagement and thought leadership: actively participates in the Xero community, contributing to knowledge sharing, collaboration and thought leadership initiatives

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Tell us your practice’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
How do you actively engage with your clients to understand their needs and challenges?
How do you leverage various features and functionalities offered by Xero to enhance your clients’ financial management processes?
What initiatives or projects have you implemented to streamline or automate processes to enhance client service delivery using Xero and/or app ecosystem partners?
How has your practice demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Bookkeeping Partner of the Year

The Bookkeeping Partner of the Year award honors the Xero bookkeeping partner who has demonstrated excellence, innovation and unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled bookkeeping services to their clients. The recipient of this award recognizes partners who have leveraged Xero’s platform to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, as well as excel in client service and expertise to go above and beyond for the success of clients and their practice.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a Xero partner
Award is open to US partners of any practice size and partner status; your practice must be based in the US
You must offer predominantly bookkeeping services
The award is based on achievements made in the 12 months between the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

Assessment is based on the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:

Xero utilization and expertise: exhibits deep expertise in leveraging Xero to optimize bookkeeping processes and workflows for clients
Client impact and satisfaction: maintains high levels of client satisfaction, as evidenced by testimonials, feedback and client retention rates and provides exceptional training and support to clients in utilizing Xero effectively, empowering them to make informed financial decisions and maximize the value of the platform
Innovation and efficiency: shows innovation in implementing efficient bookkeeping practices and leveraging technology to enhance productivity and accuracy
Community engagement and collaboration: actively participates in the Xero community, contributing to knowledge sharing, collaboration and thought leadership initiatives
Client education and empowerment: Provides proactive education and training to clients on utilizing Xero for bookkeeping tasks, empowering them to better manage their finances

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Tell us your business’s ‘Why?’. What’s your vision and purpose? Tell us how you actively thread this through your day-to-day operations and client care?
How do you leverage Xero’s platform to provide efficient and accurate bookkeeping services to your clients?
What measures do you take to ensure high levels of client satisfaction and retention in your bookkeeping practice?
What steps do you take to educate and empower your clients in utilizing Xero for their bookkeeping needs?
How has your business demonstrated a commitment to maintaining, increasing and sharing Xero knowledge with clients and the wider community?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

National Partner of the Year

The National Partner of the Year award recognizes exceptional Xero national-level partners who have demonstrated unparalleled expertise, innovation, and dedication in leveraging Xero’s platform to serve clients. The recipient of this award recognizes national partners who have excelled in delivering comprehensive solutions, driving transformation, and providing strategic guidance to your clients. This award will honor the practice who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and client service in their industry.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a Xero partner
Award is open to Xero US gold partners or above
The Xero partner must have a national/key account relationship with Xero
The Xero partner must have more than 50 employees
Your practice must be based in the US
The award is based on practice accomplishments made in the 12 months between the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

Assessment is based on the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:

Xero utilization and expertise: demonstrates advances proficiency of Xero’s platform to address complex needs of their clients
Client impact and strategic guidance: how you made a significant, positive impact on your clients through strategic financial planning, advisory services, and innovative solutions
Innovation and technology adoption: shows innovation in leveraging technology and automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in serving your clients
Thought leadership and industry influence: influences and shapes the future of accounting by advocating for best practices, innovation, and industry advancement within the accounting community
Client satisfaction and retention: demonstrates a commitment to building strong client relationships, providing exceptional service, and exceeding client expectations in the accounting context

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

How do you leverage Xero’s platform to address the complex needs and requirements of your clients?
Can you share specific examples of how your strategic guidance and innovative solutions have driven business transformation and achieved measurable outcomes for your clients?
How do you stay updated on new features and updates released by Xero, and how do you incorporate them across your offices/practice on a national level?
Can you provide examples of innovative approaches or technologies you've implemented to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in serving clients?
What steps do you take to build and maintain strong client relationships with clients?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Advisory Innovator of the Year

We’re looking for a Xero partner who has demonstrated innovation in their business over the past twelve months as it pertains to building out their advisory practice. Show us your cutting edge innovations and how your organization has led change within the practice and your client base.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a Xero partner
Award is open to US partners of any practice size and partner status; your practice must be based in the US
Program or initiative must have been completed between April 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2024, or if ongoing, results from the same period to be shown

What we’re looking for

Assessment is based on the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. These are the criteria we’ll use when assessing nominations:

Xero utilization and expertise: demonstrates advances proficiency of Xero’s platform to address complex needs of their clients
Client impact and strategic guidance: how you made a significant, positive impact on your clients through strategic financial planning, advisory services, and innovative solutions
Innovation and technology adoption: shows innovation in leveraging technology and automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in serving your clients
Thought leadership and industry influence: influences and shapes the future of accounting by advocating for best practices, innovation, and industry advancement within the accounting community
Client satisfaction and retention: demonstrates a commitment to building strong client relationships, providing exceptional service, and exceeding client expectations in the accounting context

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

What led you to come up with this innovative process or initiative around advisory?
How did you go about implementing this new model/change? 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?
What do you think other businesses could learn from your strategy, approach and implementation?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Community Champion of the Year

We want to shine a spotlight on Xero partners who have gone above and beyond outside of the office. While you are clearly great advisors on the day-to-day, you also give back to your community. This award is open to US partners of any practice size and partner status.

We’re looking for partners who have made a positive impact to a cause or to the life of an individual / group of people outside of routine business activities. 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

Must be a Xero partner
Award is open to US partners of any practice size and partner status; your practice must be based in the US
Program or initiative must have been completed between April 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2024, or if ongoing, results from the same period to be shown

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

Assessment is based on the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. 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?
How will you continue / grow / expand this support moving forward?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

People’s Choice

Welcome to the People's Choice Award, where you have the opportunity to showcase your favorite Accountant or Bookkeeper that uses Xero! This distinguished award is a tribute to some of the unsung heroes of small businesses—advisors who have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication and expertise in managing financial intricacies within your business (and potentially saving / growing it along the way!).

In this unique award, we invite small businesses in the US to nominate their favorite advisor as a way of recognizing the invaluable contributions they make to the financial health and success of your small business.

Eligibility requirements

You must be a small business currently using Xero or be working with an accountant or bookkeeper that uses Xero to manage your business for at least 2 months
Your small business must be based in the US.
Your nominated accountant or bookkeeper must be based in the US.
You must have been working with the nominated accountant or bookkeeper on Xero currently or between April 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2024

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Why do you believe this individual or practice deserves to be recognized in this category?
How long have you been working with this advisor?
Are there any innovative approaches or technologies the practice utilizes to enhance its services?

Awards criteria: App Partners

Practice App of the Year

This award recognizes an app partner with a focus on improving the lives and livelihoods of Xero accounting and bookkeeping partners in the US. The Practice App of the Year award honors exceptional partners who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance across Xero’s user base. The recipient of this award exemplifies excellence in app development and partnership, setting the standard for delivering value and driving success within Xero’s ecosystem.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a fully certified Xero App Partner, listed on the Xero App Store in the US
The app must be commercially available (not in Beta version) since April 1st, 2023 or prior
Your customer base should mostly consist of accountants or bookkeepers
The app partner must be on the latest Xero App Store partner terms

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

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: evangelizing the value of using your app and cloud tools by offering programs of engagement for your customers.
Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner program 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

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Why do you think you should be titled Practice App of the Year?
Discuss the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within your platform. How does AI enhance user experience, optimize operations, or drive innovation within your organization's framework?
How does your application help better the workflow of Xero users?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Emerging App of the Year

Every year, we get to meet new and exciting members of the Xero ecosystem who are making significant strides in advancing the wonderful world of business. Whether for practices or small business, we want to hear how your app is contributing to the evolution of business processes within the Xero community. This award recognizes a new app partner that has made great progress in the US with Xero in a short space of time.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a fully certified Xero App Partner, listed on the Xero App Store in the US. The app must be commercially available (not in Beta version)
Your app must have been launched in the Xero App Store within April 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2024. The app partner must be on the latest Xero App Store partner terms

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

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: evangelizing the value of using your app and cloud tools by offering programs of engagement for your customers.
Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner program 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

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Why do you think you should be titled Emerging App of the Year?
Discuss the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within your platform. How does AI enhance user experience, optimize operations, or drive innovation within your organization's framework?
How does your application help better the workflow of Xero users?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Small Business App of the Year

The Small Business App Partner of the Year award celebrates app partners who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and success in serving Xero’s customers. With a keen focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement, the recipient of the Small Business App of the Year award exemplifies excellence in all aspects of app development and partnership to empower small businesses. Nominees for this category distinguish themselves by fostering strong connections with users and providing invaluable support and resources to help small businesses thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Eligibility requirements

Must be a fully certified Xero App Partner, listed on the Xero App Store in the US
The app must be commercially available (not in Beta version) since April 1st, 2023 or prior
Your customer base should mostly consist of small businesses
The app partner must be on the latest Xero App Store partner terms

Previous winners or nominees are eligible to enter.

What we’re looking for

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: evangelizing the value of using your app and cloud tools by offering programs of engagement for your customers.
Xero advocacy: commitment to raising awareness of the benefits of Xero and adherence to Xero’s app partner program 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

Questions you'll need to answer when submitting your nomination:

Why do you think you should be titled Small Business App of the Year?
Discuss the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within your platform. How does AI enhance user experience, optimize operations, or drive innovation within your organization's framework?
How does your application help better the workflow of Xero users?

Each question has a 300 word limit.

Submit your nomination

Short form rules

Contest open only to legal residents of 50 US/DC, 18 years of age and older (19 in AL & NE, and 21 in MS). Must be either an accounting or bookkeeping practice or firm that held a partner or business edition subscription between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, or a long standing certified Xero Application (“Xero App”) or new to the Xero App Store between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024; and meet the requirements listed in the rules for the awards categories you wish to apply. Void where prohibited by law. Contest entry period begins 12:00 p.m. ET on 5/1/24 and ends 11:59:59 a.m. ET on 5/31/24. Judging period starts 12:00 p.m. ET 6/6/24 and ends 11:59:59 p.m. ET 6/28/24. Subject to full Official Rules, including how to enter, prizes, judging criteria, additional eligibility per Award Category, and all details, click here. Sponsor: Xero, Inc., 1615 Platte Street Denver, CO 80202.