Accounting Apps Podcast

Prioritising User Voice to Drive Product Development at Dext | Sabby Gill

Today I’m speaking with Sabby Gill, CEO of Dext. In this episode, we talk about . . . Sabby discussed his first 10 months as CEO of Dext and the changes he has implemented Sabby has been getting out to see accountants, bookkeepers and attending trade shows and regional shows. He has been listening to user feedback to better understand partners' needs. He wants to really focus on what partners are asking for. He has prioritised requested features like “Multi-account management” which allows you to manage multiple businesses or practices under one email address, enabling you to easily navigate between your business accounts from within your Dext account. https://help.dext.com/en/s/article/multi-account-management  Developed an expenses module that users had requested Dext shall be setting up regional advisory boards to get input from influential accountants and bookkeepers and a temperature check from the community. Dext will be launching a Chrome extension called the “Dextension” at Sydney Xerocon ‘23 to better integrate Dext and Xero. It’s  currently in beta - read more here : https://help.dext.com/en/s/article/how-to-use-the-dextension-browser-extension  The Dext Extension will provide new features like quicker navigation between the apps and improved data visibility   Read more at https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/blog/ From here, I suggest you join the Xero Mastermind group on Facebook for advanced conversations around the ecosystem. I suggest you  subscribe to the informative Accounting Apps newsletter which gives you a great overview of the ecosystem space.  I encourage you to connect with me on LinkedIn and subscribe to the Cloud Stories podcast.

Tightening Your Internal Financial Controls | ApprovalMax

Today I am sharing with you the audio from a recent webinar I hosted on behalf of Xero and Approval Max. The topic was "Tightening Your Internal Financial Controls: How to Develop and Enforce for Maximum Effectiveness" the experts joining the session were Simon Foster  GM Product - eInvoicing @ Xero and Cassandra Scott Director Laurus Bookkeeping, and Head of Bookkeeping - APAC ApprovalMax   How to Develop and Enforce for Maximum Effectiveness Are you aware of businesses that have suffered from fraud as a result of inadequate financial controls?  How do you ensure that the right person has access to the financial resources and systems? How do you get around fake emails and fake websites?  Have you ever used E invoicing for sending or receiving invoices?  Where the invoicing direct connection is going to help you is that because the information is coming in straight away.  Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts

AI in Finance Operations | Weel

AI is such a hot topic at the moment! It was great to have a conversation with some experts, to identify some practical applications and dispel some myths.  Some of the highlights from this conversion were :  🤖 AI is here to stay in finance. 💡 Productivity gains are at the fingertips of everyone. 🌍 AI is accessible to all. 🔑 Why businesses should be open to implementing AI. 💼 Why businesses need to embrace AI. 💰There are huge opportunities and productivity gains for finance teams. ⚙️ How to use AI. 🎨 What is generative AI and how is it different from AI? 🔍 ChatGPT is not a search engine x 3!!! 📱 The app store moment for AI. 🔒 Risk, rewards, and privacy concerns of putting client data in ChatGPT. 🌐 Will ChatGPT and AI improve their understanding of the Australian tax system? 🔎 What are some key considerations for selecting your AI tool, and how can businesses measure success? 📈 From a measurement perspective, it's all about productivity gains. Huge productivity gains. 🧪 Experiment and don't overthink.    I’m Heather Smith and you've been listening to the Cloud Stories podcast..    Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts   

The 💡Power of Strategic Forecasting | Darren Glanville

Joining me today is Darren Glanville Country Manager - UK & EMEA @ Fathom. Darren is no stranger to the accounting profession and has more than twenty years experience helping accounting practices develop digital strategies and processes to drive efficiencies and profitability. Having worked for some of the biggest software providers including Sage, CCH, and Xero, Darren now heads up the EMEA region for Fathom and is passionate about leveraging technology to drive better business outcomes. Darren is a keen rugby fan (Newcastle Falcons), a self confessed coffee-holic and tech geek, you can find Darren walking his dogs on the beach near his home in Northumberland in the early morning and most weekends. And I’d also like to share with you that I strategically partner with Fathom, and have been good friends with the team since the very early days. In this episode, we talk about . . . The future of the technology landscape?  The rise of a more strategic view of forecasting. One in three businesses is running with less than six months cash. Introduction to Darren Glanville and his journey in the accounting technology space. The profitable and sustainable practice. What an extraordinary journey that you have taken.  The extraordinary journey of an extraordinary journey. The sad passing of Jason Forbes. Fond memories of Rod Drury, Xero founder. How has the accounting profession changed with the advent of digital technologies?  Pivoting from data-driven intel to data driven intel. The power of connecting with people. How the accounting profession has evolved with the advent of digital technologies. API's. Opportunities for accountants in Africa. Faster cadence of development and API's. What’s the biggest change in the last 12 months?  End user experience when the platform completely changes. Australia and New Zealand are ahead. The bank feeds are the secret sauce. Darren keeps a tally of conferences he attended. Top tips for other sales professionals in the accounting technology space. Advice for young vendors. What is Fathom’s purpose?  Being able to absorb information and connect with people. Collaboration and thought leadership. Fathom provides clarity and confidence to courageous business owners. The dikw model. What are some indicators that someone needs to move away from the spreadsheets?  The ladder from knowledge to actionable insights. Indicators to move from spreadsheets to reporting solutions. The difference between spreadsheets and distributed ledgers. The rise of the digital financial advisor. How do you get bookkeepers to listen to you? The rise of lotus 123 since 1990. The Australian Bas Agent regime. How to get consultants to revisit Fathom. The cyclical nature of the fathom industry. Micro-forecast and forecasting.  Fathom's micro-forecast feature and how it works. How the pandemic has changed the industry. Trends in the accounting tech space. The role of AI in the future of accounting. How clients will consume AI services. What excites Darren most right now?  How to get more information about Darren. What excites him about the next big thing. Darren is exploring how Chat GPT can help practices. Darren suggests starting a prompt club. The importance of being cynical about things. Physical presence changes everything.  I’m Heather Smith and you've been listening to the Cloud Stories podcast..    Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts

Building Bridges between Accounting Platforms and Google Spreadsheets | Andrey Kustarnikov

Joining me today is Andrey Kustarnikov, the CEO, Founder and visionary behind G-Accon. Andrey and G-Accon have been a strategic partner for many years, and they flew into Atlanta to meet me, and we spent several days together. Andret and his wife and co-founder Maria very kindly took me on a tour of Atlanta, in their Tesla - how lucky am I!!   Let me tell you about G-Accon. G-Accon is an effective tool that connects Xero, QuickBooks, Freshbooks, Sage and Work Flow Max to Google Sheets. Andrey brings over 20 years of experience in software development, microservices architecture, and cloud integration, focusing on the banking and financial sectors. His educational background includes an MBA and a Masters in Physics, which have been instrumental in building G-Accon. This software has been quite useful to its users and Andrey is interested to see what comes next for G-Accon.   Highlights of the conversation included: 🔍 GAcon integrates cloud accounting platforms with Google Spreadsheets.   ❓ What are the features and functionalities that people like about G-Accon?   🎮 Memories of playing Tetris in Moscow, Russia.   💼 What is the brand identity of GAccon and how do customers connect with the solution?   💡 Encouraging innovation within the organisation.   🌍 Global expansion plans and lessons learned from expanding into new markets.   💻 Working with G Suite/Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel: Once you've developed something in Google Sheets, you can convert it to Excel.   🏢 The World of Coca-Cola museum and Coca-Cola as a business.   💰 The importance of the bookkeeper in the business.   🔍 John Pembroke invented Coca-Cola, and his partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, suggested the name and penned the now-famous trademark "Coca-Cola" in his unique script. Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts

The Storyteller📜 is the Most Powerful Person in the World | Paul Dunn

Interview with Paul Dunn Chief Story-Teller at CLARITY, and Co-Founder of B1G1.  💻 Technology is an enabler of more human things. 🎓 Edutainment, as education. 😬 Getting nervous when speaking. 👥 The way to connect is to be more focused on them than on you. 📜 The storyteller sets the vision and the agenda for an entire generation. 💪 The importance of having a strong presence. 🌍 The storyteller is the most powerful person in the world. 🔌 Tech is not about the inputs. 📖 The importance of telling stories that are relevant to people. 🏆 Outcomes are the key to a successful pitch. 🌐 TOAGlobal: The humanverse is a human-to-human thing in tech. 🧮 Paul’s first memory of an accountant world. 🚀 Becoming one of the first 10 in Hewlett Packard Australia. 💰 The standard accounting joke, the 9800, and how to use it. 🗣️ Hewlett-Packard seminars. 🖨️ The world’s first thermal printer and the first ‘trial’ balance. 📜 The world's first thermal scroll printer. 📊 The Australian accountants number crunch system. 📚 The story of Zig Ziglar. 🤝 The importance of getting your thoughts out into the world. 🎙️ The human element of the podcast. 🐜 The connection to tech and termites. 🌿 Nature does not solve problems. Nature solves for potential. 📞 What is a discovery call and how can you use it? 🚀 Hiring people based on their potential. 🌟 Tech is an enabler to create a better, more fulfilling human experience. 📝 The top three things accountants should do. 🤝 Engaged with original people impacted by Rod Drury’s vision. 💼 Opportunity for entrepreneurs to do their own thing. 💰 The opportunity for larger companies to grab that space and be able to say “this is not some sort of charity thing”. 🤲 Charity is a meaningful thing, not just a charity thing. 🤜 The importance of being bolder. 🔥 Be bolder in execution and in terms of reach. 📚 Sukhinder Singh Cassidy's book, Choose Possibility. 🚪 You can go through a door, but you can come back through that door.   I am thrilled to bring you an interview with Paul Dunn, the fourth and final interview in our series of interviews from the Accountants BootCamp. If you haven't already, I highly recommend you listen to the previous three episodes and subscribe to the Cloud Stories podcast.   When I first heard about the re:Boot of the Accountants BootCamp I was intrigued by the opportunity to see Paul Dunn in action. I have heard so many good things about him, from so many people. I was of course concerned that he could not possibly live up to the hype, but he was all that and more. He started in the industry in the early 70’s and at the re:Boot event he was extraordinarily sharp, energetic and charismatic. He made everyone in the room feel like a VIP, and I watched him take time out to speak with everyone. I don't even have that level of energy!    I was extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to speak with Paul Dunn, and I think I have really saved the best interview for last, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hg2rYG7mxiVFf1OL7tHuG?si=507287dc1e5f42a2    Before I introduce today's interview, I want to remind you of some ways to stay up-to-date with the accounting tech space. You can join the Xero Mastermind Facebook group, subscribe to the Accounting Apps newsletter at HeatherSmithAU.com, and subscribe to the Cloud Stories podcast. Also, connect with me, Heather Smith on LinkedIn.   Now, let's get into today's episode, where I am joined by Paul Dunn Chief Story-Teller at CLARITY, and Co-Founder of B1G1.   Connect with me here:  Newsletter http://accountingapps.io/   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts   

🔍The three-step approach to software implementation | Graeme Tennick

Interview with Graeme Tennick, Chief Impact Officer of Tennick Accountants  📋🏆 The process of applying for the Xero UK awards. 🎖️🚀 Accountants Bootcamp is all about pushing boundaries. 👍🏆 Every stage of entering an award is worthy. 👨‍💼 Aussies pushing boundaries in the accounting profession. 🥇💪 Competition in the North of England. 🗺️ What the northeast is like in the UK. 📣📈 Self-promotion and marketing. 🔍🤔 Exploring your greatest passion? 🔄💻 Transitioning from a manual to a cloud-based model. 🏆🥇 Proudest achievement of last year. 🤝💻 Approved software drunk, getting 50 licences in 2018. 😍💻 Falling in love with the software. 📝🔍 The three-step approach to software implementation. ⏰📅 Time range for implementing the solution. 💻🚀 It’s all about the implementation. 🎓📚 Lessons learned about implementations. 🤝🚀 We are hitting a buffer with accountants and technology, and how to overcome it. 💻👨‍💼 Challenges for accountants in the software industry. 🌅🚀 Early Adopters Hub. 🎓👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What did you get out of BootCamp and what are you hoping to get from it? 🤝👥 Pushing boundaries with other progressive firms. 🌟🤲 Taking the leap of faith. 🤝👥 The importance of collaboration. 🏆📚 We either win or we learn. I am thrilled to bring you the third interview in our series of interviews from the Accountants BootCamp. If you haven't already, I highly recommend you check out our previous two episodes and subscribe to the podcast to hear the upcoming interview with the inspiring Paul Dunn.   At the re:Boot event, we were fortunate enough to have attendees and speakers from the original Accountants BootCamp in the 1990s, including industry legend Paul Dunn himself. Led by Dunn and Aynsley Damery, CEO of Clarity, the three-day workshop focused on delivering repeatable, scalable services that benefit both the firm and the client. Many attendees used Clarity's software platform to assist in delivering these services. And in case you missed it, Aynsley Damery joined me on a previous episode of Cloud Stories in May 2021, where we discussed 'How to double your clients profits in 5 easy steps.'   https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hg2rYG7mxiVFf1OL7tHuG?si=507287dc1e5f42a2    Before I introduce today's interview, I want to remind you of some ways to stay up-to-date with the accounting apps space. You can join the Xero Mastermind Facebook group, subscribe to the Accounting Apps newsletter at HeatherSMithAU.com, and subscribe to the Cloud Stories podcast. Also, connect with me on LinkedIn.   Now, let's get into today's episode. I am joined by Graeme Tennick, Chief Impact Officer of Tennick Accountants. Tennick Accountants recently won the Small Firm of the Year at the Xero UK and Ireland Awards, and a week later, travelled 30 hours to attend the BootCamp. This just shows the calibre of people in attendance at the event.   So without further ado, let's dive into the interview and hear from Graeme about his work at Tennick Accountants and his experience at the BootCamp.   Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts   

A Rising Cornish Tide Raises All Ships⛵ | Paul Miller

In this episode I speak with Paul Miller, Managing Director of Cornish Accounting Solutions. 🏙️👨‍💼 The impact of the 2014 Sydney Xerocon. 🤝📈 It’s your business, you make the decisions. 💪 The importance of staying true to one's beliefs. 📅🔙 The early days of Xero. 🤝🤝 The return to traditional values and relationships. 🤝👥 The importance of meeting clients in person. 💻🛠️ What are some of the things you have in your tech stack? Xero, Dext Prepare, Dext Precision, and Ignition. 🏆 Winner of the first effortless bookkeeping challenge in the UK. 📚 The importance of providing training to clients. 🔟 The 10 factors that determine if a client will work with you. 💡 If you don’t like what you’ve got, change it. 🤝 Refer to other local firms if not the right fit. 👥 Recruiting team members. 📞💬 The best way to communicate with people is to pick up the phone and talk to people. ❓ The importance of asking why. 🌟 True leaders plan succession and transition succession. 🧑‍💼🎓 Paul’s thoughts on the last 24 hours at the Accountants BootCamp and how it has impacted his life.   Today I’m bringing you the second interview as part of a series of interviews I conducted at the Accountants BootCamp. If you enjoy this episode, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, and subscribe to the podcast to hear the next two interviews.   The re:Boot event, brought together speakers and attendees from the original Accountants BootCamp in the 1990s, including industry legend Paul Dunn. The three-day workshop, led by Dunn and Aynsley Damery, CEO of Clarity, focused on delivering repeatable, scalable services that benefit both the firm and the client. Many attendees use Clarity's software platform to assist in delivering these services. In case you missed it, Aynsley Damery joined me on a previous episode of Cloud Stories in May 2021, where we discussed 'How to double your clients profits in 5 easy steps.'   https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hg2rYG7mxiVFf1OL7tHuG?si=507287dc1e5f42a2  Before I pass over the interview, to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the accounting apps space can I encourage you to join the Xero Mastermind Facebook group, subscribe to the Accounting Apps newsletter, and to the Cloud Stories podcast also connect with me on LinkedIn .   For today's episode, I’m joined by Paul Miller, Managing Director of Cornish Accounting Solutions, as you shall hear in the episode I first met Paul when he visited Xerocon, in 2014, and I’ve keenly watched his journey since then.   Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts

The Power of 💯1% Improvements | Gareth Burton

In this episode I speak with Gareth Burton Founder of Assure UK and Progress Accountants. 🤝 Why Gareth Burton decided to start two firms. 💯💡 100 1% improvements in 100 days. 💼 Why Gareth decided to start his own accountancy firm. 📈 The 100 1% improvement. 💻 Technology used in that business: Xero, Dext, Microsoft, BreatheHR, MyWorkPapers. 🌎 How Microsoft’s change to Teams has changed the landscape of the industry. 🎯 Finding a niche within a niche. 🔄 The transition from commodity to service-based business. 🚀 Key takeaway from attending the accountants bootcamp. 🐭🎢 How Disney would run an accounting practice. 🔑 Customer service and customer experience. 💬 Gareth’s advice for new accountants: “Look for small gains”. 📅 Making one small change each day or each week.   Today I’m bringing you an interview as part of a series of interviews I conducted at the Accountants BootCamp which was held in late April ‘23. I had the unique and rare opportunity to interview a few award winning UK accountants who travelled to Australia to attend the event.   The original Accountants BootCamp was held in the 1990’s at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast and this re:Boot was an opportunity to bring back many of the speakers and attendees from the original event, including a legend of the industry Paul Dunn. Along with the CEO of Clarity, Aynsley Damery, they delivered a three day workshop on how to deliver repeatable, scalable services that are profitable for the firm, valuable for the client and at a price they can afford to pay. Many of the attendees used the Clarity software platform, to assist them in delivering these services.   Also I wanted to let you know Aynsley Damery joined me on the Cloud Stories podcast, back in May 2021, the episode was called ‘How to double your clients profits in 5 easy steps’. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hg2rYG7mxiVFf1OL7tHuG?si=507287dc1e5f42a2    For today's episode, I’m joined by Gareth Burton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-burton/ )  the founder of two businesses, the first one is Assure UK which niches in the UK Pension market where they are Specialist Pension Scheme Auditors, and provide Assurance Reports for Independent Trustees, Master Trusts, Pension Scheme Administrators and other Service Organisations. While working in this field he recognised these professional practices were not being served appropriately by their accountants, and he drilled down into offering a double niched service, via his second business Progress Accountants: Accountants for forward thinking professional practices with more than three employees. For all of these interviews, we are walking through the beautiful ground of Sanctuary Cove, so there is a little bit of ambient background noise, which I hope adds to the experience!   Connect with me here:  Newsletter https://heathersmithAU.com  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSmithAU Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU Medium: https://heathersmithau.medium.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ANISEConsulting/podcasts

How leaders can prioritise themselves, reclaim energy and find joy | Mel Kettle

In this episode I’m speaking with Mel Kettle author of Fully Connected. Everybody should strive for a meaningful and purposeful life. And if you don't know what gives you purpose over your whole life, that's completely fine. But find a reason to get out of bed tomorrow. And one of the things that I love recommending to people is go to bed thinking about something that you're going to do tomorrow. That is going to bring you joy, something that you're going to do tomorrow that is going to make you happy. And it might be a day filled with Excel spreadsheets. And my husband's an accountant. He loves Excel spreadsheets. He used to send me one every day of our financial position and I'm just like, ah, once a quarter is enough I don't share your love. But you know, maybe it's you're going out for dinner with a friend or maybe it's you're going to the beach or you know walking Chester for you. But think about what are you going to do tomorrow that's going to light you up so that you can go to bed thinking of something exciting, and you can go to bed with something to look forward to the next day. Because when we have things to look forward to and then we do them, that gives us such fulfilment and such personal satisfaction, and that makes us feel valued in our lives. And when we feel more valued, we have a better life. Mel Kettle background Mel Kettle is an internationally recognised thought leader in fully connected leadership and communication. At the heart of everything Mel does is a commitment to self-leadership. She has an over-arching belief that we need to lead ourselves first before we can lead others. Mel's sub-speciality is helping women and organisations better understand the impact of menopause in the workplace and she is the founder of the award-winning menopause blog, Just as Juicy (www.justasjuicy.com). In January 2022 Mel was recognised by leadersHum as one of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership for 2022, one of only seven Australians on the list. Mel is the host of the podcast This Connected Life and the author of two books: The Social Association, published in 2018; and Fully Connected, published July 2022 This is what we talked about! Common communication challenges that individuals and organisations face and how to overcome them   The importance of having a conversation with your accountant about what you need.   What is a leader? What does work look like today?   Setting boundaries is an important aspect of personal growth and development in 2023. When setting boundaries, be clear on what it is.   Improving effective and active listening skills is crucial for individuals and organisations to enhance their communication.    Why it’s important for leaders to engage in self-care.   The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, It's not what happens to you; it's how you react to it that matters. Behaviour is inextricably linked to attitude. How do you let go of a negative attitude?   Don’t let other people make you feel smaller.   How do you reassess and refresh your life?   Mel Kettle website https://www.melkettle.com/  Fully Connected and The Social Association Book. https://www.melkettle.com/books    Donna McGeorge  The 25-Minute Meeting The First 2 Hours  https://donnamcgeorge.com/books  From here, I suggest you join the Xero Mastermind group on Facebook for advanced conversations around the ecosystem. I suggest you subscribe to the informative Accounting Apps newsletter which gives you a great overview of the ecosystem space. It's available at https://HeatherSmithAU.COM. I encourage you to connect with me on LinkedIn and subscribe to the Cloud Stories podcast.