Xero Asia Awards 2026: putting your best story forward

Every year, the Xero Asia Awards give us the chance to recognise practices that are redefining what modern accounting looks like. This year’s ceremony will be held in Singapore on 6 August – a night where all finalists will gather, connect and celebrate together. And because we know our partner community spans the region, Xero will be supporting finalists based outside of Singapore with their travel and accommodation expenses.

In our last blog post, we talked about what winning unlocks, from new growth opportunities to a deeper sense of purpose. With the Awards fast approaching, there’s still time to throw your hat in the ring. Submissions are open until 23:59 SGT on 12 June 2026.

Three ways to submit your best entry – in less than a week

Putting your best entry forward doesn’t have to be time-consuming or daunting. Similar to last year, nominations will take the form of video entries of up to three minutes – but rather than polished productions, we’re looking for authentic stories of how you’ve reimagined your practice and helped your clients reach their full potential. Whether you’re mid-way through your submission or just getting started, here are three tips to help you put together a compelling entry.

1. Familiarise yourself with the criteria

Before you hit record, spend some time going through the awards criteria and familiarise yourself with what the judges are looking for. Entries that speak directly to each category’s criteria tend to resonate better, so frame your story to let your best work shine through.

Take Ventureskey Solutions, for example. The 2025 Digital Innovator of the Year finalist were specific about what innovation looks like at their firm – using Xero to automate tasks, build real-time dashboards and cut manual work by around 60% – and where they’re headed next, with AI-powered dashboards, smarter KPI trackers and new Xero app integrations in the pipeline.

If you’re a returning applicant, this is also a good moment to reflect on what’s happened since your last submission. The judges want to hear about the past twelve months – new achievements, fresh client outcomes and the milestones you’ve reached most recently.

2. Lead with your story

More than anything, the judges want to know what your firm has genuinely experienced, including the client challenges you stepped up to and the positive outcomes you created. Where credentials are relevant, let them arise naturally from the story rather than lead it. 

In their award-winning entries for the Xero Partner of the Year – Singapore and Digital Innovator of the Year categories, digital-first accounting firm Harvest Accounting showed how putting Xero at the heart of their practice allowed their clients to reclaim time, energy and peace of mind. They brought in testimonials from real clients whose lives had genuinely been changed – from one who said they never have to think twice about renewing their contract, to another who described Harvest as helping them focus on what they do best. Harvest’s credentials were all there, with 550 clients on Xero and 100% Xero-certified staff, but what really clinched their wins was how clearly people-first their practice was.

3. Let your supporting documents do the heavy lifting

While your video tells your story, your supporting documents will substantiate it. Rather than covering every data point on camera, use your attachments to present the full picture: the metrics, testimonials and results that give weight to what you’ve shared.

CKP, who won both Xero Partner of the Year – Malaysia and Advisory Partner of the Year in 2025, were focused and intentional across their submissions. In both videos, co-founder and managing partner Jeremy Chia honed in on what mattered most for each category – from the firm’s broader impact on Malaysia’s accounting community, to the specific client outcomes that defined their advisory work. He then let the supporting documents back up his claims and tell the rest of the story.

Every practice has a story worth telling

As you work on your submission, remember that the strongest entries are simply the most honest ones. There is so much incredible work being done by our partners in Asia, and these Awards aim to give these achievements the visibility they deserve. 

If this is the year your firm steps forward, we’d love to hear from you. Nominate your practice – we can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to.