Austral Accounting Flies the Flag for KZN at the Xero Awards South Africa 2025

KwaZulu-Natal’s professional services sector took center stage at this year’s Xero Awards South Africa 2025, with Austral Accounting, based in Umhlanga, honored as a finalist in the Digital Practice Champion category.

The annual Xero Awards celebrate the firms and individuals reshaping the accounting profession through technology, client care, and community impact. This year, the spotlight fell on practices that have gone beyond compliance work to redefine what modern advisory services look like in the digital age.

A Digital Trailblazer in KwaZulu-Natal

Being named a finalist in the Digital Practice Champion category placed Austral Accounting alongside some of the most innovative firms in the country. The category recognizes practices that have embraced digital transformation to improve efficiency, deliver strategic insights, and empower clients with the tools to grow their businesses.

For Austral Accounting, the recognition reflects its ongoing commitment to leveraging Xero’s powerful ecosystem to serve SMMEs and entrepreneurs across diverse industries. By automating routine processes and focusing on advisory excellence, the firm is creating meaningful impact for clients in KZN and beyond.

An Evening of Celebration and Connection

The awards ceremony, hosted in Johannesburg, brought together leaders and peers from across the accounting and business community. While the accolades were important, the evening was just as much about connection and camaraderie.

“It was wonderful to be in a room filled with professionals who are shaping the future of accounting,” said Lynette Pretorius, Professional Accountant and Tax Practitioner at Austral Accounting. “Being recognised as a finalist validated not only our digital journey, but also the incredible impact that KwaZulu-Natal firms can make nationally.”

From heartfelt applause to the warm reunions of colleagues, the atmosphere of the night was described as electric. Competitors became cheerleaders for one another, underscoring the sense of unity that drives the Xero partner community forward.

Putting KZN on the Map

Austral Accounting’s recognition carries meaning far beyond the firm itself. It positions KwaZulu-Natal as a hub of innovation in the accounting and advisory profession. For many local businesses, this acknowledgement proves that KZN firms are not just keeping pace with national trends—they are setting them.

By being part of a national finalist line-up, Austral Accounting has demonstrated that digital innovation and client-centric strategies thrive in KwaZulu-Natal, sending a powerful message to the local business community.

Austral Accounting’s finalist recognition at the Xero Awards South Africa 2025 is more than a milestone—it’s a statement. It reflects innovation, resilience, and the pride of a province whose businesses are ready to lead on the national stage.