Xero

Xero has carved out a strong position among agencies that operate internationally or prefer a cleaner, more modern accounting experience than traditional tools offer. Its multi-currency support is best-in-class, making it the natural choice for agencies billing clients in different countries or managing expenses across currencies. The unlimited user model on all plans is also a significant advantage — agencies can give every team member access without worrying about per-seat costs.

The platform's approach to accountant collaboration sets it apart. Xero was designed from the ground up to facilitate the agency-accountant relationship, with advisor dashboards, practice management tools, and seamless data sharing. For agencies that work closely with external bookkeepers or accountants, this smooth collaboration saves hours of back-and-forth during month-end close and tax preparation.

Xero's project tracking feature lets agencies assign time and expenses to specific engagements, providing clear profitability insights per client or project. The integration marketplace offers over 1,000 connected apps, covering everything from inventory to CRM to advanced reporting. While Xero's reporting capabilities are somewhat less granular than QuickBooks, the trade-off is a significantly more intuitive day-to-day experience that agency owners and non-financial staff can actually navigate without training.