Shares in online accounting software firm, Xero, have risen more than 8.5% after an announcement that it is working with ADP, a US payroll company, as part of a plan to crack the market in the United States.
The deal allows Xero to tap into ADP's customer base of 150,000 small businesses.
Chief executive Rod Drury says the company is eyeing further growth there.
Xero is setting a target of one million customers in the next few years and Mr Drury says deals like this will help it achieve that goal.
Xero's shares closed up 45 cents to $5.70 on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Xero said its customer numbers totalled 78,000 globally.
