Dext launches integrated payments for UK Xero users

Dext has launched a payments product that lets users manage, approve and make payments inside its bookkeeping automation platform.

The new product, called Payments, starts with support for UK customers that use Xero. Dext said users can pay supplier invoices from within Dext. Users can also make employee expense payments through the same workflow.

Dext said customer demand drove the move. The company said customers wanted payment activity available in the same place as financial data and document capture.

Beta results

Dext ran a three-month beta test ahead of wider availability. It said customers processed nearly £800,000 in payments during that period.

The company said the new product connects invoice capture, approval, payment and reconciliation. It positions Payments as part of a broader workflow for accountants, bookkeepers and businesses that already use Dext for document handling and bookkeeping tasks.

"Payments has been the single most requested feature we've ever had," said Sabby Gill, Chief Executive Officer, Dext.

"Our customers already trust Dext with some of the most important financial data in their business, and they've been clear that they want to manage payments in the same place," said Gill.

"By delivering Dext Payments, we're acting on that feedback - removing friction, reducing risk and giving accountants, bookkeepers and businesses confidence that every transaction is handled accurately and securely, without switching systems or adding complexity," said Gill.

Dext said it processes more than 350 million documents each year. It also described supplier payments as a fragmented part of the finance workflow. It pointed to separate banking portals, spreadsheets and manual approval steps.

Product scope

Dext said Payments lets UK users of Xero pay supplier invoices either individually or in batches. It said users can follow the same steps for employee expense payments.

Dext said it plans to introduce payroll payments in Q1 2026. It said this will allow users to run payroll payments from within Dext.

The company also set out a product roadmap for 2026. It said it will add spend cards and invoice payment links during the year.

"Automating invoices with AI solved one of the biggest problems in bookkeeping, but payments remained fragmented and manual," said Stephen Edginton, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Dext.

"Dext Payments completes that workflow, from invoice capture through to payment and reconciliation, without forcing accountants or businesses to rely on multiple systems," said Edginton.

"Building on the AI capabilities customers already use within Dext, it is purpose-built for real-world practice workflows and already proven in production, with close to £800,000 processed before launch," said Edginton.

Adviser workflow

Dext said the new payments feature allows accountants and bookkeepers to manage approvals, controls and payments as a single process. It said advisers can manage payments across multiple clients and reduce time spent on chasing approvals and fixing errors.

The company said businesses can use Payments for supplier payments with invoice upload, approval, payment and reconciliation in one place. Dext also referred to security checks and verification as part of the flow.

"Before Payments, I could keep clients' ledgers up to date. But actually getting invoices paid often meant reminders, chasing, and extra admin," said Jane Rasquinha, Founder, Digital Advisory Bookkeeping.

"Now I can initiate payments as part of my weekly workflow, with clients still in control through simple approvals," said Rasquinha.

"It reduces complexity, saves time, and gives both me and my clients real reassurance that everything is paid properly; and suppliers stay informed too," said Rasquinha.

Security details

Dext said Payments runs through a partnership with Airwallex. It said the product operates under an Electronic Money Institution licence.

The company said it includes fraud detection and Strong Customer Authentication. It also cited role-based permissions, audit trails and automatic reconciliation.

Dext said the launch starts with UK customers on Xero. It said support for additional general ledger platforms is in development. It also said it plans international expansion as part of the rollout.