QuickFee has today announced it has integrated its payments and payment plan functionality with Xero, one of the fastest-growing cloud-based accounting software companies globally.

The move provides a simple solution for Australian accountants and bookkeepers to accept payments online, including credit card, bank transfer and payment plans from their small business customers all in one place.

QuickFee has integrated with Xero as both companies look to accelerate the shift to digital rocesses that solve workflow challenges in the accounting industry. Combined with the new application, Xero’s easy-to-use platform simplifies everyday business tasks.

Bruce Coombes, Managing Director of QuickFee Australia, said the integration would eliminate tedious data entry work and allow firms to reduce ageing receivables, as customers could simply click a link within their invoice to pay it directly from their browser, phone or tablet.

“Time and again, we hear from accounting firms and partners about two common challenges: The need to get paid on time while remaining empathetic to a client’s cashflow circumstances, and the need to cut down on manual data entry tasks for busy staff members,” Mr Coombes said.

“With the Xero integration, QuickFee solves both these challenges and delivers a true end-to-end payment experience, just as we have done over recent months for other clients in Australia such as GreatSoft.”

US-based QuickFee CEO Eric Lookhoff said: “When you look at how the accounting world is evolving to meet client demands for convenience and improve client outcomes, you can see there’s an urgent need for intelligent automated solutions that goes beyond the cost analysis.

“This integration with QuickFee and Xero presents an opportunity for firms to provide a more streamlined payment solution and connect with their clients throughout the invoicing process.”

Other benefits of the integration include real-time receipting of client payments, credit card processing without the firm wearing the cost of a merchant account, full PCI compliance managed by QuickFee, and field completion direct from the Xero invoice.

The QuickFee application is also easy to set up. Existing users can activate the new payment service from their QuickFee login and choose to start accepting a range of comprehensive payment methods, including payment plans. This gives customers the flexibility to pay how and when they want 24/7.