Xero Partner Advisory Council (XPAC)
XPAC is a diverse panel of accounting and bookkeeping partners who drive conversations on strategy and industry insights
About XPAC
Members of XPAC are bookkeepers or accountants who both challenge and champion the needs of the sector.
XPAC brings together talented bookkeepers and accountants who are passionate about shaping the future of our industry. As a core part of the Xero ecosystem, these experts provide invaluable real-world insights that help us drive positive change.
Through open dialogue and actionable feedback, XPAC members work to make a real difference for Xero partners, small businesses, and local communities. Their unique blend of expertise and on-the-ground experience helps us stay connected to the evolving needs of the sector, ensuring we're always moving in the right direction.
What makes a great XPAC member?
Great XPAC members bring a mix of passion, expertise, and candour to the table. They're not just Xero partners; they're advocates for the entire accounting and bookkeeping community. These professionals aren't afraid to speak their minds, offering honest feedback that pushes us to improve. They're problem solvers at heart, eager to collaborate with both Xero and their peers to find innovative solutions. Above all, they're committed to creating better experiences for everyone in the Xero ecosystem, from partners to small businesses. Their diverse perspectives and hands-on industry knowledge help shape the future of Xero in meaningful ways.
What's involved?
XPAC members engage in a dynamic partnership with Xero. They participate in quarterly formal meetings that dive deep into industry trends and Xero initiatives. But their involvement goes beyond these scheduled gatherings. We regularly consult XPAC members on various projects through additional meetings, interviews, and workshops.
Find out who our South African XPAC members are
Amanda Orselli
BDO South Africa
Amanda Orselli has been the head of BDODrive since 2019. In 2020, she was nominated as one of the top 50 women in accounting. Amanda is passionate about technology's potential in business and envisions a world where business owners embrace technological advancements. As a trusted advisor, she actively seeks opportunities to learn, explore options, and implement innovative ideas.
Amanda considers her role on the XPAC team an honour, particularly given BDO's status as a founding partner. She values the opportunity to share business insights and real-life examples of industry trends experienced in practice.
Caroline Sculley
DNKA
Caroline Sculley serves as the COO of DNKA Inc and Co-Owner of DNKA Balance. She specialises in empowering SMMEs through strategic digital accounting implementation. Caroline is a solution-oriented leader who collaborates with clients from diverse backgrounds, focusing on delivering practical solutions and driving business growth through key metrics.
As a recent addition to the XPAC team, Caroline aims to bring a fresh KZN perspective and contribute to Xero's support for accounting practices and businesses alike.
Damian Baker
Outsourced CFO
Damian Baker leads the Cloud Accounting division at Outsourced CFO (OCFO), overseeing operations, quality control, and cloud accounting conversion for clients. He plays a key role in strategic planning for the division's future. Damian's expertise lies in integrating technology with traditional accounting practices to optimise financial processes for businesses.
At Outsourced CFO, Damian has been instrumental in transforming the company's approach to financial management. He leads teams in implementing cloud-based systems that provide real-time financial insights and enhance decision-making processes for clients. Damian is known for mentoring and developing his team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
Ian Meaker
Creative CFO
Ian Meaker is the director and founder of Creative CFO, established in 2012. The company now boasts a team of over 40 financial professionals. Ian's vision is to foster a world where an increasing number of small to medium businesses succeed each year.
Creative CFO provides technology and services to help business owners manage and focus their creativity, energy, and financial resources. Their mission is to build world-class finance teams that support SMEs in achieving daily success.
As a long-standing XPAC member, Ian remains inspired by Xero's ability to bring financial clarity and peace of mind to SMEs. He appreciates XPAC's focus on continuous improvement, which aligns with Creative CFO's growth mindset.
Lornelle Jonas
E'lique Advisory
Lornelle Jonas is the founder and CEO of E'lique Advisory, a Johannesburg-based professional services firm specialising in accounting, tax, and advisory services. E'lique Advisory holds the distinction of being the first black female-owned Xero platinum partner firm in South Africa. Lornelle is registered as an AGA (SA) with SAICA and as a General Tax Practitioner.
Committed to fostering financial inclusivity for SMMEs, Lornelle promotes organisational sustainability through financial education and technological innovation. She leads a masterclass for SMMEs, offering insights to empower business owners in building sustainable ventures.
Lornelle's contributions to the industry have been widely recognized. She received an honorary award for business advisory at the Forty under 40 Africa awards in Kenya. Under her leadership, E'lique Advisory won "Emerging Firm of the Year" at the 2024 South Africa Xero Awards. Lornelle has also been named one of the 50 "Emerging CEO of the year" at the AFRICA CEO Summit.
Mike Powell
Fractional CFO
Mike Powell began his career as an articled clerk and manager with Deloitte in Johannesburg. He then spent 14 years as a CFO with the UCS Group of companies, growing and scaling various entrepreneurial IT businesses.
Recognizing the transformative potential of cloud accounting solutions like Xero, Mike founded 118Accounting (now The Fractional CFO) in late 2019. The company's mission is to provide financial control, clarity, and freedom to serial entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses profitably.
Mike's personal mission is to build a business that offers financial independence while allowing him to love his work and collaborate with like-minded people and clients. He views Xero and its ecosystem as core building blocks for accountants to shape the world and help clients build great businesses. Mike's role as an XPAC member allows him to scale his impact in this area.
Nicole Rousseau
PKF Ignite
Nicole Rousseau co-founded PKF Ignite, heading a digital advisory unit that deals with technological integration for both the business and PKF clients nationally. Under her leadership, PKF Ignite won the Xero National Partner of the Year award in 2022 and has become a Xero global partner.
With years of experience in leveraging technology for herself and her clients, Nicole takes a solutions-driven approach. She speaks passionately about the future of technology within the accounting profession, its potential to open doors for growth, and its ability to add value to her clients.
Nicolene Horowitz
Core Cloud Accounting
Nicolene Horowitz began her professional journey in the audit department of Core Bloemfontein. In 2017, she transitioned to the role of Managing Director at Core Cloud Accounting. Under her leadership, the company quickly adopted cloud accounting software and received the Xero Partner of the Year SA award for 2018.
Nicolene played a crucial role in establishing Core Cloud Accounting's partnership with Xero. Her strategic insights and commitment to innovation helped integrate Xero's solutions into the company's operations, providing clients with robust, scalable accounting solutions that align with modern business needs.
Simon Magner
Iridium Business Solutions
Simon Magner is the managing director and founder of Iridium, the 2023 Xero Partner of the Year, South Africa. He leads a team of professional and tech-savvy accountants who deliver tailored and outsourced solutions to clients. Simon makes strategic decisions on running a digital business in an age of abundant technology.
When Simon qualified as a CA(SA), he was unaware of the cloud accounting world. Xero has played a significant role in Iridium's journey, and the company is enthusiastic about how technology is enabling their growth. Simon views tech accounting as an exciting space and looks forward to shaping the industry's future.
Sue van der Valk
MGI Bass Gordon
Sue van der Valk has been a partner at MGI Bass Gordon since 2010, leading the firm with dedication and expertise. The practice supports privately-owned businesses, high-net-worth families, and non-profit organisations, helping them achieve their goals through tailored solutions that add significant value.
Sue's portfolios include assurance, tax, compliance, and family office services. Her passion for technology led her to spearhead the implementation of Xero's cloud accounting solutions for clients in 2020. Since then, she has fully embraced Xero, helping numerous clients adapt and thrive with cloud-based business operations.
Sue's commitment to technology and client success was recognized when her client won a regional award in Xero's Beautiful Business Fund in 2023. In 2024, Sue herself was honoured with Xero's Most Valued Professional Award at the South African Xero Awards. She continues to explore the potential of Generative AI in enhancing business performance and client value.
TP Maepa
Moephathutsi Consulting
TP Maepa holds an MBA from GIBS, a BCom Hons from UL, and a postgraduate certificate in Advanced Tax from Unisa. His career began in academia before transitioning to the mining industry, where he progressed from Trainee Accountant to Manager: Finance and Administration.
As the founder of Moepathutsi Consulting, TP's mission is "to ensure SMEs SURVIVAL and GROWTH with EASE." The company takes a holistic approach to accounting and compliance services. TP embraced Xero 18 months ago, finding it instrumental in achieving the "EASE" element of his mission through process automation.
TP is passionate about leveraging technology, particularly cloud-based solutions, to enhance business efficiency. As part of the XPAC program, he looks forward to contributing his experiences to Xero's efforts in creating beautiful business experiences.
Willem Haarhoff
Doughgetters Accounting
Willem Haarhoff is the CEO and Founder of the DoughGetters Accounting Group. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000 and worked with one of the Big 4 accounting firms from 1996 to 2014, including 11 years in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2017, he founded DoughGetters, a South African-based franchise network dedicated to helping business owners manage their finances and tax compliance.
DoughGetters embraced cloud technology and remote working from its inception, with Xero as the core of its app stack. The company has grown to around 300 clients in less than five years, with significant growth occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. As pioneers of remote working for accountants in South Africa, DoughGetters enables Xero to expand its accounting partner network both domestically and internationally.
Willem collaborates with other XPAC members to host Digital Practice information sessions, promote Xero, and offer complementary services to other accountants. They also share best practices within the industry to pay it forward.
Interested in becoming an XPAC member?
We're always on the lookout for passionate Xero partners to join our XPAC team. As an XPAC member, you'll have the opportunity to directly influence Xero's development and help shape the future of the accounting and bookkeeping industry in South Africa.
If you're excited about the prospect of contributing your expertise and insights, we'd love to hear from you. To get started, reach out to your account manager directly - they'll guide you through the process and help determine if XPAC is the right fit for you.
When contacting your account manager, consider addressing these points to give us a better understanding of your perspective and potential contributions:
- Why do you want to be part of XPAC South Africa?
- How would you represent Xero's partner community?
- What are three key priorities you'd like to raise on behalf of your community?
- What are three of the biggest challenges facing your practice?
- What industry trends do you see evolving over the next three to five years (e.g. automation, technology)?
Become a Xero partner
Join the Xero community of accountants and bookkeepers. Collaborate with your peers, support your clients and boost your practice.