Dext extends payments to UK QuickBooks Online users

Dext has extended Dext Payments to QuickBooks Online users in the UK, making the payments tool available to a wider group of accountants, bookkeepers and businesses.

The product lets users manage, approve and make supplier invoice, employee expense and payroll payments within Dext. The QuickBooks Online rollout follows the launch of Dext Payments earlier this year and builds on more than GBP £6 million processed through the platform so far.

The expansion comes as late payment remains a major issue for smaller companies in Britain. Dext cited figures showing that UK small businesses are owed GBP £26 billion in overdue invoices at any given time, putting pressure on cash flow and supplier relationships.

For QuickBooks Online users, the integration brings the same workflow already available to Xero customers. Invoices are uploaded into Dext, where details are extracted automatically. Users can then create single or batch payment runs, route them through approval processes and submit payments without leaving the platform.

Through its partnership with Airwallex, under an electronic money institution licence, the system includes fraud detection, strong customer authentication and audit trails. Dext positioned the product as a way to reduce manual data entry and the need to switch between accounting software and banking portals.

That matters for accountancy and bookkeeping practices, which often manage payments across multiple clients using different systems. A single workflow inside Dext could help firms standardise internal processes, reduce time spent chasing approvals and handle client payments more consistently.

Businesses may also see operational changes from the QuickBooks Online release. Removing the need to enter payment details manually in separate banking systems could reduce human error, while a direct path from invoice capture to payment may improve visibility over outgoing funds.

Sabby Gill, Chief Executive Officer at Dext, outlined the rationale for the expansion.

"QuickBooks Online is one of the most widely used accounting platforms amongst UK businesses and practices, and bringing Dext Payments to them is a significant step in making our end-to-end payments workflow accessible to as many people as possible. We want to make it simple for every business and adviser using Dext to pay suppliers and employees from one place they already trust," said Gill.

Dext, part of IRIS Software Group, focuses on bookkeeping automation for accountants, bookkeepers and businesses. Dext Payments was its most requested feature before launch, suggesting strong demand for closer links between bookkeeping, approval and bill settlement.

International reach

Alongside the QuickBooks Online extension, Dext is introducing international payments in beta for both QuickBooks Online and Xero users. The feature allows businesses and advisers to create wallets in different currencies, transfer funds between wallets, convert currencies within the platform and pay cross-border invoices.

The addition broadens the scope of the payments product beyond domestic transactions. It also gives Dext a wider role in finance operations by bringing foreign currency payments into the same workspace used for invoice handling and reconciliation.

The market opportunity is tied not only to delayed payments but also to pressure on small businesses to maintain tighter control over working capital. New rules under discussion in the UK on payment terms and enforcement have also kept payment practices in focus for companies and advisers that need reliable internal controls.

Stephen Edginton, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Dext, said the QuickBooks Online release is intended to remove a practical barrier for businesses seeking a different way to handle payments.

"Extending Payments to QBO users was the logical next step. Businesses should not have to choose between their accounting platform and a better payments experience. By supporting QBO, we are removing that barrier and giving more businesses the tools to take control of their payments, reduce manual work, and get suppliers paid on time," said Edginton.