Case Study: DFK International (DFK Hirn Newey) boosts profitability and scales advisory services with Xero

How a well-built tech stack helped an accounting firm become more profitable

DFK Hirn Newey, a Brisbane accounting firm led by tech-focused partner Paul Fiumara, faced the challenge of modernising legacy processing work and turning compliance-only engagements into ongoing advisory relationships. The firm needed a reliable, connected software platform to automate routine work, gain better client data, and scale services without proportionally increasing headcount.

DFK built a cloud tech stack around Xero and Xero Practice Manager, plus analytics and app integrations (Spotlight, Fathom, Futrli) and empowered internal “change champions” to drive adoption. The result: dramatic time savings (one task fell from ~2 days/week to ~½ day), shift to monthly billing, improved client insight, the ability to expand services and turn an $8,000 p.a. compliance job into a $50,000 p.a. full-service client — all while increasing profitability, capacity to grow and staff work–life balance.

DFK International

Paul Fiumara

Vice President