Our take first
- Pick programs by how you bill. If you bundle software into a flat monthly fee, firm-billed discounts matter most. If clients pay the software company, revenue share and referral fees matter most.
- Free firm software is the easiest win. All five give the firm its own software or payroll free, some once you meet a small condition.
- The programs reward clients you already have. Tiers rise with client count, so the hard part is still the first ten clients. More on that below.
The programs compared
All five are free to join or list no joining fee. Here is how the rest compares:
| Program | Tiers | Client pricing | Revenue share or referral pay | Free for your firm, and directory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks ProAdvisor | Silver, Gold (500+ points), Platinum (2,400+), Elite (7,000+); points from client subscriptions and certifications | Client discounts on QuickBooks Online, payroll, Payments, and Bill Pay; no percentages on the program page | None published | QuickBooks Online Advanced and Workforce Elite (terms apply); Find a ProAdvisor directory |
| Xero | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum | Business edition subscription discounts from Bronze up; no percentages published | None published | A Xero subscription to run your practice; advisor directory listing at every level |
| Gusto Pro | Starter, Bronze, Silver, Gold | Per client: client billed with revenue share, client billed with a partner discount, or firm billed at your own rate | Starts at Bronze; up to 20% at Gold | Gusto Plus payroll when you onboard at least one client a year; featured Partner Directory listing at Silver |
| OnPay | By client count | 10% off for 1 to 2 clients, 15% for 3 to 19, 20% for 20 to 49 | "Discounts or revenue sharing"; no rate published | Firm payroll at every tier; no directory mentioned |
| Patriot Software | Bronze (1 to 5 clients) through Diamond (100+) | 5% to 30% off accounting, payroll, time, and HR; firm billed at reduced rates | $200 per referred client after two successful billings | Accounting and payroll free with 6+ active clients; no directory mentioned |
From each company's partner pages, checked October 19, 2026. Discounts and terms change and some apply only to certain plans; confirm in the program agreement.
The five, briefly
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor runs on points: client subscriptions earn 25 to 75 points each and certifications earn 100 to 200, and higher tiers unlock more benefits. The firm gets QuickBooks Online Advanced and Workforce Elite free, and partners appear in Intuit's Find a ProAdvisor directory.
- Xero is free with no ongoing costs, but requires at least one registered accountant at the practice and Xero advisor certification within 30 days. Every level includes an advisor directory listing.
- Gusto Pro is the most flexible on billing, letting you choose revenue share, a client discount, or firm billing for each client. It is the only one here that publishes a revenue share figure: up to 20% at its Gold stage.
- OnPay publishes its client discounts by client count and gives the firm free payroll at every tier, along with free client setup and co-branding.
- Patriot Software publishes the most detail: discounts from 5% to 30% by client count, a $200 referral fee, free firm software at six clients, and the right to leave at any time without notice or penalty. It is open only to US-based firms.
How to choose
- Start with the platform your clients already use. A discount on software nobody wants is worth nothing.
- Decide how you bill. Firm billing (Gusto, Patriot) suits a flat monthly package. Client billing with revenue share (Gusto) or a referral fee (Patriot) suits à la carte work.
- Count the certifications. Xero requires one within 30 days, and ProAdvisor points lean on them. Budget the hours.
- Check the exit terms before you move a client base onto any platform's billing.
The part no program solves
Partner programs pay you more per client. They don't add clients, and their directories put you on the same page as every other firm in town.
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This guide summarizes publicly posted program information. It is not financial or legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any program listed.
Common questions
Which accounting partner programs pay revenue share?
Of the five we checked, Gusto publishes revenue share starting at its Bronze stage and up to 20% at Gold. OnPay says partners can get discounts or revenue sharing without publishing a rate. Patriot pays a $200 referral fee per referred client after two successful billings. QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Xero publish client discounts and free software instead of revenue share.
Are accounting software partner programs free to join?
All five say so. QuickBooks ProAdvisor enrollment is free, Xero says its program is free with no ongoing costs, Gusto Pro is free to sign up, OnPay lists no joining fee, and Patriot says there are no fees for accountants to partner with it.
Should I bill clients directly or let the software company bill them?
It depends on how you price. Firm billing lets you bundle software into your monthly fee at your own rate, and Gusto and Patriot both offer it. Letting the platform bill the client keeps software off your books, and with Gusto you choose between revenue share and a client discount on each client.
Do partner directories bring in clients?
They can, but you share the page with every other listed firm in your area. Xero lists partners at every level, Gusto features Silver partners in its Partner Directory, and QuickBooks runs its Find a ProAdvisor directory. Treat a listing as one source, not the plan.
Updated October 22, 2026 · By Ben Thalmann, founder of FiledToday