Xero gives a bigger voice to accountants and bookkeepers

Melbourne, 22 September 2014 — Xero, the leading cloud accounting software for small businesses in Australia, today announced two new senior hires that will give accountants and bookkeepers a bigger voice in Xero’s future.

James Solomons, a director of Sydney-based accounting firm EFS Strategic, has been named Head of Accounting for Xero in Australia, while Melanie Power, director of cloud accounting services firm Power Finance, will become Head of Bookkeeping.

Xero Australia Managing Director, Chris Ridd, said the appointment of Solomons and Power would give Xero customers a direct line into the company to suggest new features, improve existing ones, and make the cloud accounting experience better overall for users.

“We know our customers aren’t shy in sharing their views, so having James and Melanie on board will provide an easy and structured way of getting those views heard,” Ridd said.

“We want to constantly be in tune with what accountants and bookkeepers need and want to make their jobs easier and more efficient. It’s what has set us apart from our competitors in the past and will continue to in the future.

“Having James and Melanie on the team, two absolute experts in their field, will mean we don’t lose sight of that vision.”

The appointments are a recognition of Xero’s rapid growth in Australia, with more than 147,000 small businesses and 6100 accounting and bookkeeping partners now actively using Xero.

This follows the establishment of the Xero Partner Advisory Council (XPAC), announced at Xerocon this year, comprising 10 of Xero’s most progressive and vocal accountant and bookkeeping partners. The partners will meet regularly with Xero’s leadership team and help provide feedback and guidance on strategic initiatives, product roadmap and investments that affect the accounting industry.

"I’m excited that I get to help shape how Xero evolves its products by bringing current industry experience and feedback to the table,” said Solomons. “I’ve already started rolling my sleeves up and can’t wait to get more involved.”

“Ever since I was a trainee, I’ve loved how technology helps people do things quickly and organise their information easily,” said Power, whose firm Power Finance is a Xero Gold partner, with more than 100 clients on Xero. “Joining Xero seemed like a natural step after working as a bookkeeper for the past two decades, and I can’t wait to hear how I can help my customers by making Xero even better from the inside.”

The two positions are both part-time, so Solomons and Power keep a foot in both camps and  continue to be in touch with their respective user groups. Both Solomons and Power will report directly into Ridd.

Marina Holmes

Senior PR & Social Manager

Chris Ridd

Xero Australia Managing Director

  

Xero provides beautiful and easy to use cloud-based accounting software that helps small businesses and their advisors seamlessly manage their finances on the go. The company has over 300,000 paying customers in more than 100 countries around the world, including over 147,000 paying customers in Australia. Xero is listed on both ASX and NZX. Find out more on www.xero.com