Xero and Chaney & Associates team up on money tools for churches

Accounting software company Xero has expanded its partnership with Chaney & Associates, a firm that serves churches and faith-based nonprofits. The goal is to put accounting, payroll and cross-border payments into one connected workflow, so leaders can see and control their money more easily.

What changed

Chaney built a dashboard for its clients that runs on Xero's open API, which is a way for different software programs to share data. Melio, a payment tool, handles bill payments inside the same system. Steve Chaney, the firm's founder and president, says Xero provides the accounting foundation. Chaney's clients range from local congregations to large international ministries, and the firm adds about 50 new client organizations each year.

Who it affects

Nonprofits often deal with international donations and specific tax rules. One system that automates cross-border transactions could cut the time spent on bookkeeping. Any nonprofit leader weighing a similar setup should also plan for the downsides.

• Staff will need training, and there can be a learning curve at first.
• Switching systems may carry startup costs that strain small budgets.
• Subscription fees and ongoing commitments should be checked up front.

What is not known yet

The announcement gives no prices, no start dates and no results from clients. It does not say whether other accounting firms can copy this setup. Xero points interested firms to its partner program at xero.com/us/partner-program. Chaney & Associates can be reached through its website.