Accounting, bookkeeping and app industries celebrated for supporting businesses through their toughest years

B2B payments provider, Crezco has won the Emerging App of the Year Award at Xero’s prestigious annual awards. Hosted by Alexander Von Schirmeister, Xero UK & EMEA Managing Director at an in-person event, the awards showcased the achievements of those supporting businesses through two of the toughest years on record.  

Accountants, bookkeepers and the app industry have played a huge role in guiding their small business clients through the pandemic and supporting the wider economy. Xero research shows 61% of small businesses said their accountant supports them in key areas they struggle with. Separate Xero research shows that small businesses using apps had more resilient sales and job growth than those that weren’t. 

There were 17 trophies up for grabs, including the two new awards introduced last year - Community Impact Award and People’s Choice Award. The Community Award - judged by Together in Tech - celebrated accountants going beyond their day job to support and make a real difference in their communities.

Crezco the business-to-business open banking payments platform that makes B2B invoice payments as frictionless as card payments, without the associated costs won the Emerging App of the Year. Crezco can process account-to- account payments up to £1 million in real-time for free. UK and EU small businesses can use Crezco’s payment processing API with their accounting software, such as Xero.

Alex von Schirmeister, UK & EMEA Managing Director at Xero, said: “Accountants and bookkeepers have been the backbone of our small business economy over the last few years. We’ve heard so many stories of our partners going above and beyond to guide businesses through tough times, which is why it’s so important to celebrate the amazing work of the industry.”

Ralph Rogge, CEO and co-founder of Crezco, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this highly prestigious award and for Crezco to be recognised in this way. We have an easy-to-use and convenient payment platform that helps customers pay invoices quickly without the associated costs thereby improving their cash flow and saving them time from chasing late payments.”

This year’s judging panel was made up of Xero’s leadership, along with guest judges from the Xero community, including previous Xero Award-winners and industry leaders.