Why winning a Xero Award can mean big business

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At Xero, we believe it’s important to reward our accounting, bookkeeping and ecosystem partners for their hard work and perseverance. That’s why we recognise and celebrate them at the Xero Awards.

This years finalists will be selected by a combination of leaders at Xero and industry experts. We’ll announce the finalists on 12 November, right before Xerocon London 2019, so you can share and celebrate your success. The winners will be revealed at an exclusive ceremony in February 2020.

See what the 2018 winners of the small, mid-size and large firm categories had to say about winning a Xero Award and how their firms have benefited as a result.

Build your credibility

Winning the award can help with your firm’s credibility. Clare Blackmore, director of cloud accounting at Albert Goodman, says that winning the Large Firm of the Year award at Xerocon 2018 has bolstered their status as one of the foremost accounting, tax and business advisory firms in the South West.

Penny Rowden, director of Rowdens Chartered Accountants and winner of last year’s Small Firm of the Year award also echoed this sentiment saying, “it has given us a great deal of additional credibility, particularly to new businesses who aren’t yet working with us. Even our existing clients were excited too!”

Winners display their badge on their website and email signatures. Penny Rowden told us that the firm gained local publicity and even a cartoon for their website by Neil Kerber of Private Eye.

Attracting the right talent

According to Dave Gibson, co-founder of Blu Sky Chartered Accountants and winner of the Medium Firm of the Year award, “It’s not just about going out and selling, it’s also about attracting the right talent.”

Winning the award has helped Dave and his team ensure that they attract the best of the best. He says that displaying the winner’s badge on their website helps underline what type of firm they are and what people can expect if they want to join the company.

Boost team morale

One of the major points that all three firms made is the impact the award had on the company internally. Dave Gibson said, “it was a big, pleasant surprise winning the award. It was a great thing to come back to the office with. In the initial days, the atmosphere in the office was buoyant. It was brilliant. Everyone appreciated that it was a massive accolade.”

Dave explained that it felt like all the hard work over the years had been recognised and was real kudos to the team who had worked so hard.

“It’s helped us realise that we are actually pretty good at what we do, and the people recognise that. It’s just a terrific thing to be able to say. We’re really proud of it.”

Clare Blackmore agrees, “it’s a huge validation that Xero think we are worthy of it. It just gives you the confidence to say, ’we must have been doing something right!’”

The act of entering and answering the questions also helps you analyse your business.

“You’ll be a better business for the exercise – whether you win or lose. The ability to understand what your business is and your purpose – what you are trying to deliver and how you are going to add value – is invaluable, says Dave Gibson.”

How to enter the Xero Awards

The Xero Awards are a celebration of excellence among our accounting, bookkeeping and ecosystem partners that help small businesses thrive around the globe.

Successful entrants will be promoted to over 3,000 industry peers at Xerocon London 2019 and invited to the exclusive Xero Awards ceremony in February 2020. Plus, you’ll receive marketing material to help promote your success to clients, prospects and the press.

The accounting and bookkeeping winners get a premium listing on the Xero Advisor Directory where you can be easily found by businesses looking for an award-winning advisor.

The app winners will receive a dedicated spot on Xero’s marketplace to attract more business.

If you think your practice or app deserves an accolade check out the award categories, criteria and eligibility requirements – then submit your entry before 18 October 2019.

Enter the Xero Awards

You can enter yourself or your firm into any of the awards you qualify for. If you need help identifying which categories you’re the right fit for, you can download our support packs: