Xero has confirmed price increases taking effect on 1 October 2026 across key plans:

• Grow: $75 → $78 / month

• Comprehensive: $100 → $107 / month

• Ultimate 10: $130 → $143 / month

While individual monthly increases may seem modest, compounding annual percentage increases (10% to 20% year-on-year) create a significant financial burden for accounting practices and small businesses already facing rising operational costs.

A Message from Our Managing Partner

In a recent interview with Accountants Daily, Nitin Saby (Managing Tax Partner at Saby + Partners) highlighted that accounting practices are increasingly forced to absorb these costs as SME clients hit their limit on price increases.

“We cannot keep relying on one mainstream accounting platform. We are not here to fill someone else’s money pot; we are here to serve clients with a value proposition. It is the duty of accountants and tax agents to proactively seek cost-effective alternatives for their clients.”

— Nitin Saby, FTIA

Key Recommendations for Accounting Practices & SMEs

• Audit Your Software Stack: Identify and eliminate unused modules or unnecessary user seats.

• Explore Market Alternatives: Look beyond legacy platforms to lower-cost, high-efficiency tools.

• Adopt AI & Automation: Streamline reconciliation, data entry, and workpaper preparation to reduce overhead.

• Shift to Value Pricing: Price client engagements on outcomes and advice rather than underlying software license fees.

Conclusion

Rising software subscription costs represent an opportunity to pause, evaluate, and modernize your financial workflow. Relying on a single software vendor leaves your practice and clients vulnerable to compounding margin erosion. By auditing your technology stack and embracing modern AI-driven tools, businesses can protect their margins while delivering greater real-world value.

Take Control of Your Tech Stack & Margins

Is your firm or business looking to optimize software costs, reframe your pricing, or restructure your financial workflow for maximum efficiency?

Book a Consultation with Saby + Partners to explore tailored, cost-effective tax and advisory solutions that put more money back into your business.