This article first appeared in Accountancy South Africa September 2025 edition

Colin Timmis - Regional Director EMEA, Xero

One of the best parts of my job is seeing firsthand how our accounting and bookkeeping partners are driving innovation and setting a new standard of excellence in our evolving industry. This forward-thinking spirit was on full display at the Xero Awards, a special evening dedicated to celebrating this phenomenal community.

This year, PKF Ignite took out Xero Partner of the Year. This award celebrates firms that not only embrace innovation but also exemplify outstanding client service and strategic growth. PKF Ignite is a progressive firm that’s embracing technology to deliver an efficient and personalised service to their clients, while building deep expertise within their team.

A vision that drives value

PKF Ignite has a simple ethos that sits at the heart of everything they do: “Go digital, stay personal.” They’re committed to being a trusted, long-term partner for their clients, and helping them turn ambitions into reality. By leveraging cutting-edge digital tools and cloud technology, the firm has been able to scale while maintaining the crucial personal touch in client interactions, resulting in strong, lasting relationships.

“Winning this award for the second time is an incredible honour for PKF Ignite. It reflects the passion, dedication, and fresh thinking our team brings to every client interaction. This award is so much more than just a trophy - it’s a celebration of our journey, our people, and our unwavering commitment to client success and the future of cloud accounting. A heartfelt thank you to Xero for your incredible support and partnership - we’re proud to grow alongside you. And to the other nominees: your brilliance keeps us sharp, inspired, and always striving to do better. Together, we’re making the industry stronger.” - Nicole Rousseau, Co-founder and Head of PKF Ignite

A powerful digital workflow

By leveraging Xero’s platform and connected apps, PKF Ignite has built a unified digital workflow that seamlessly integrates everything from tax compliance and project tracking to analytics and invoicing. This holistic approach enhances both value and efficiency across their practice.

But the real magic happens when that efficiency translates into deeper client conversations. They use apps like Spotlight and Syft to create visual, meaningful reports that can drive more strategic conversations about the future of the business.

Ongoing learning to stay ahead

PKF Ignite has created a culture of continuous learning. This goes beyond basic training; it’s a commitment to honing their craft as accounting professionals. Their training focuses not only on regulatory requirements but also on developing the soft skills and technological ability needed for the evolving role of accountants.

According to Xero’s State of Accounting report, in the next five years, accountants are eager to support their clients with financial forecasting (50%), business strategy (46%), and digital strategy (44%). It’s encouraging to see many firms already training their teams to grow these skills, and is testament to the forward-thinking approach of so many accountants in South Africa.

For PKF Ignite, they’re meticulous with digital skills training. All staff are Xero certified, with many also certified in apps like SimplePay, Dext and Syft. They host monthly sessions to share tips on the digital tools they use within the practice so that knowledge is shared. Our own Xero team actually delivers hands-on training days in the PKF offices to help their team unlock the full power of the platform.

A closely aligned partnership

Like Xero, PKF Ignite takes a people-first approach, while harnessing the power of technology. We’re both passionate about championing South Africa’s ambitious small businesses - just like all our Xero Partners. We’re proud that it’s a community which celebrates innovation, collaboration and growth, and we’re continually inspired by the passion and optimism amongst accountants and bookkeepers.

Finally, congratulations again to all our Xero Awards finalists and, of course, our brilliant winners!