Accounting Apps Podcast

Unlocking Productivity Gains 🧩 | Meredith Rowan

Today's episode is part of a series of six interviews recorded at the Oracle CloudWorld and SuiteWorld conferences which were held in Las Vegas, September 2024. I encourage you to subscribe and add them all to your playlist! In this episode, I speak with Meredith Rowan, Group Vice President ANZ + ASEAN, Applications, Oracle.  Meredith leads the strategic direction and execution of Oracle’s cloud application solutions across the region. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, she has a strong track record of driving digital transformation and helping businesses leverage Oracle’s suite of enterprise solutions​ We discuss: A key factor in their success is making enterprise applications more user-friendly through the new Redwood user experience interface. Opportunities to leverage technology, particularly Ai to fill the productivity gap created by economic pressures, and drive better outcomes. Meredith noted that Australia and New Zealand have slipped in global productivity rankings, with the slowest productivity growth in the last 10 years. Meredith shares some customer success stories, from the likes of Avis, and A2 milk. OECD Productivity Statistics: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/employment/data/oecd-productivity-statistics_pdtvy-data-en  On my blog you'll find detailed show notes to accompany this podcast, and for those looking to earn free CPE, be sure to head over to the EarMarkApp and take the quiz for the podcast you are about to listen to! Finally, thank you to the Oracle NetSuite teams for hosting me at your conferences. Blog : https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2024/10/03/unlocking-productivity-gains-meredith-rowan/ Contact details: Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Embracing AI Innovations 💡 in NetSuite | Scott Wiltshire

Today's episode is part of a series of six interviews recorded at the Oracle CloudWorld and SuiteWorld conferences which were held in Las Vegas, September 2024. I encourage you to subscribe and add them all to your playlist!   In today’s episode, I speak with Scott Wiltshire, Vice President & GM, Oracle NetSuite ANZ. Scott is keen to help customers and employees identify and solve business challenges that deliver real value.  I interviewed Scott Wiltshire last year, I’ll pop a link in the show notes. https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2023/10/27/how-netsuite-helps-australian-businesses-grow-scott-wiltshire/    We discuss some of the new feature announcements from NetSuite, which includes NetSuite Financial Exception Management, which helps organisations detect and mitigate financial risks. SuiteAnalytics Assistant, which allows users to generate reports using natural language. NetSuite Prompt Studio, which enables users to configure AI-generated content to suit their business needs. AI SuiteScript API, which helps connect multiple systems,  Code Assist, which assists developers in writing code. As always, you'll find a comprehensive blog with detailed show notes available for you to dive deeper into the world of Oracle NetSuite. And for those looking to earn free CPE, be sure to head over to the EarMarkApp and take the quiz! A big thank you to Oracle NetSuite for hosting me.  Blog: https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2024/09/30/embracing-ai-innovations-in-netsuite-scott-wiltshire/ Contact details: Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io  Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU    

From Honky Tonks to Tech: Nashville Xerocon 2024 Recap 📱

Join me as I recount my journey through the vibrant Nashville Xerocon, where country spirit and tech innovation collided.  In this episode, I cover: My personal takeaways from the conference Insights from the Nashville Xerocon and key product announcements Innovation from the exhibitor floor Behind the scenes of speaking at my first International Xerocon. Connecting with industry peers at events and activities around Xerocon. There are lots of links in the show notes to explore more about everything I discussed. SPONSOR Today’s episode is brought to you by ApprovalMax. If you're looking to streamline your financial controls across accounts payable and receivable, ApprovalMax has you covered.   On average it cuts approval times by 85%, and boost AP efficiency by up to 50%. With ApprovalMax, you can swiftly approve vendor bills, purchase orders, expense reports, vendor return authorizations, and sales orders. It simplifies complex approval workflows with automated routing and lets you design multi-level approval processes with ease.   Discover more about how ApprovalMax can transform your business by visiting ApprovalMax.com. Contact details: Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/  Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU   

Exploring Zoho’s Integrated Platform🐝 | Val Steed

Today I’m speaking with Val Steed, Director Accountants, Zoho Corporation  In this episode, we talk about . . . Zoho Corporation's journey in the accounting technology industry, from its founding in 1996 to its current position as a leading provider of integrated business solutions The company's focus on privacy, security, and long-term vision, with a family-like culture and commitment to employee retention Zoho's conservative management approach and profitability since day one, even during challenging times like the pandemic The challenges of working as a US-based employee for an Indian-based company, including navigating cultural nuances and time zones Zoho's integrated platform, which offers a suite of over 55 web apps and 75 mobile apps, including accounting, CRM, and other business tools Zoho's efforts to adapt its products to local markets, such as incorporating Australian tax and payroll requirements The company's annual Zoholics conference, including the partner-focused Inspire event, and its plans for AI integration in its products Insights into Zoho's growth and competitive landscape in the accounting industry, as well as the challenges of reaching the target audience in the Australian market   Contact details:   Val Steed https://www.linkedin.com/in/valsteed/  Zoho Corp https://www.zohocorp.com/  Accounting Apps newsletter: http://HeatherSmithAU.COM Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU 

Accounting Technology Updates: 🌐 Bridging the Technology Learning Gap, Zoho Expansion, the Evolving Payroll Landscape, and More

Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey, Partner at The Bean Counters discuss features, functionalities and updates in the Accounting Apps from June July 2024. Highlights from this episode include: A discussion around the importance of Apps offering training, ongoing training and training to meet different learning styles. Zohos expansion plans into Australia, and its vast platform offerings. Employment Hero's Smart Match system which checks candidate interest levels for your new jobs and auto-shortlist those interested. A potential competitor to Seek & LinkedIn. The payroll solution Gusto’s launch into the Australian market with an all-in-one platform for all-over-the-world teams. The data quality tool XBert has released the ability to develop customisable XBerts, giving you the ability to monitor areas of interest to you. Contact details: Tyler Caskey https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercaskey/  The Bean Counters https://www.thebeancounters.com.au/  Accounting Apps newsletter: http://HeatherSmithAU.COM Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

🏆 Developing and Keeping a Competitive Advantage | Philip Fierlinger

Today I’m sharing with you a recording of a keynote entitled "Developing and Keeping a Competitive Advantage," given by Philip Fierlinger, co-founder of Upstock and co-founder of Xero.   Philip Fierlinger discusses his experiences and insights on developing and maintaining a competitive advantage in the technology and accounting sectors. He shares his journey from working on the first smartphone at General Magic to co-founding Xero and Upstock. The talk focuses on the importance of creating extraordinary user experiences, transforming pain points into pleasurable experiences, and adhering to a strong vision and values.   Highlights from the session include:   Philip Fierlinger shares insights on developing and maintaining a competitive advantage, drawing from his extensive experience in the tech and accounting industries.   Discusses his journey from working on General Magic's first smartphone to co-founding Xero and Upstock, highlighting key milestones and lessons learned.   Emphasises the importance of transforming technology into "magic" through exceptional user experience design, making technology seamless and user-friendly.   Explains how Xero succeeded by turning the painful process of bank reconciliations into a pleasurable and engaging experience, fundamentally changing the perception of accounting software.   Describes the creation of Upstock to address friction in the B2B supply chain for foodservice, offering a digital platform that levels the playing field for small suppliers.   Highlights the significance of having a clear vision and strong values as the foundation for business operations, ensuring long-term success and competitive advantage.   Shares lessons on the critical role of customer research and feedback, and the importance of early adopters in refining and validating the product.   Discusses how cultivating a positive company culture and retaining employees can be achieved through adhering to guiding principles and providing support, such as coaching and counselling.   This is the third podcast I’m bringing to you from the 2024 Tropical Innovation Festival held in June, in Cairns, in beautiful Far North Queensland. If you are interested in the topic or the vibe of the event, I encourage you to go back and listen to the other two episodes and reach out to the Tropical Innovation Festival if you want to be part of future festivals. I will drop their contact details in the show notes.   The audio was recorded during a lunchtime session. At the start, you can hear the emcee of the event, who is also the conference co-organiser, Tara Diversi.    Contact details:   Tropical Innovation Festival: https://www.tropicalinnovationfestival.com.au/speakers   Phil Fierlinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fierlinger/  UpStock: https://www.upstock.app/  Xero: https://xero.com/  Tara Diversi : https://www.linkedin.com/in/taradiversi/  Accounting Apps newsletter: http://HeatherSmithAU.COM Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU    Other podcast episodes of interest   Building Your Startup’s Profile with Media | TIF24 https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2024/07/18/building-your-startups-profile-with-media-tif24/    MediaPhones, Accounting Dashboards & Digital Marketplaces: The Design Journey of Xero’s Co-Founder | Philip Fierlinger https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2023/11/30/mediaphones-accounting-dashboards-digital-marketplaces-the-design-journey-of-xeros-co-founder-philip-fierlinger/ 

Navigating the Startup Ecosystem: How Accountants Can Thrive in the High-Growth Tech Space 🚀 | TIF24

Marc Orchard and Heather Smith discussed the importance of accountants and bookkeepers in high growth tech companies, highlighting the challenges of serving early stage companies with complex needs. They emphasised the need for upskilling and capability building, as well as the importance of building relationships in the startup ecosystem. Marc Orchard added to the conversation by discussing the integration of accounting and finance with technology, and the potential for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand to sponsor innovation events. Heather Smith and Marc Orchard later discussed the challenges professional service providers face in managing risk tolerance, emphasising the importance of differentiating between personal and business risk tolerance and valuing experience and wisdom in building up risk tolerance.   Marc Orchard Website: https://planetstartup.com.au/  Linkedin  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcorchard/    Contact details: Accounting Apps newsletter: http://HeatherSmithAU.COM Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU   

Building Your Startup’s Profile with 📺Media | TIF24

Join us for insightful discussion on how startups can effectively build their profiles through media.  I’m sharing with you a recording of a panel session entitled “Building Your Startup's Profile with Media” This was recorded at the 2024 Tropical Innovation Festival that is held in Cairns in June. Here are the top five takeaways from our expert speakers: Understand the Media Landscape: Modern media is diverse and accessible, ranging from traditional outlets like TV and radio to digital platforms like podcasts and social media. Recognising the right platform for your message is crucial. Craft a Compelling Story: Your story should be relevant, relatable, and engaging. Focus on the human element to make your narrative resonate with the audience. Build a Strong Founder Brand: Before seeking media attention, establish your own platform with clear, consistent messaging. This controlled content can attract media interest and help shape your public image. Focus on Trust and Integrity: Authenticity is key. Media interactions should demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness to build credibility with your audience and the media. Leverage Modern Media Tools: Use trending platforms like TikTok to share behind-the-scenes content and engage with a different audience. This can help you document your journey and create valuable content for future media opportunities.   This discussion, was part of the Tropical Innovation Festival #TIF2024. https://www.tropicalinnovationfestival.com.au/   Contact details: Carmen Braidwood : https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenbraidwood/ Gemma Clancy : https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmaclancy/ Accounting Apps newsletter:  http://accountingapps.io/  Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU   

Scaling to 7 Figure: 💡Enhancing Your Fractional CFO Services | Michael King

Today I’m speaking with Michael King: Michael is the CEO of KFE Solutions, which is the top rated Fractional CFO firm in Dallas, Texas. He’s also the creator of The CFO Accelerator, where he helps Accountants and fractional CFOs start, scale, and optimise their advisory services. He is also the host of, The CFO Report, where he shares tips, tricks, and hacks he discovered over the past 7 + years building his fractional CFO firm. https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichaelking/ In this episode, we talk about . . . - Fractional CFOs should focus on providing insights, not just generating reports. - Accurate, timely financial data is critical for fractional CFOs to provide valuable insights to clients. - Automating financial reporting with tools like G-Accon can save time and reduce errors. - Building a simple, effective tech stack is crucial for fractional CFO success. - Partnering with the right technology, like G-Accon, is key for streamlining operations. - Fractional CFOs should start with simple, core financial metrics to empower clients for better decision-making. - The fractional CFO industry offers significant potential for impact and growth. - Leveraging pre-built templates and automation in tools like G-Accon can help fractional CFOs streamline report generation. - While emerging technologies like AI and ChatGPT have potential, they may not yet be ready for practical application in fractional CFO work.   Learn more about G-Accon: https://www.accon.services/  support@accon.services https://www.linkedin.com/company/g-accon  https://twitter.com/G_AcconServices  https://www.facebook.com/gacconaddons/    Contact details for Michael King: W: https://www.thecfoaccelerator.com L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichaelking/    Contact details for Heather Smith   Accounting Apps newsletter: http://AccountingApps.io  Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU  Earn CPE at EarMarkCPE https://www.earmark.app/course/6981af0c-7e4c-4b33-a47a-7a282678040f Webinar : https://streamyard.com/watch/ehqxCdXGcjAE 

🌟 Scale your business on Xero without needing a dozen other Apps and Add-ons

AI will increase software productivity and enable users to create their own apps, multiplying software abundance I’m sharing with you the audio from a session I hosted as part of the Australian CFO Summit 2024 produced by the Australian spend management platform Weel. It’s called:  “Scale your business on Xero without needing a dozen other Apps and Add-ons” The presenter is Michael Wood, the Founder and CEO of Translucent. - Michael Wood discusses the exponential growth of software in businesses from the desktop era to the cloud and AI eras - Wood argues AI will increase software productivity and enable users to create their own apps, multiplying software abundance - The challenges of fragmented data, security, cost and vendor management with abundant software apps are highlighted - Compound startups are presented as a solution, exemplified by Translucent, consolidating finance apps and data into a unified platform - Benefits of the compound startup model include reduced cost, streamlined management, improved productivity and AI readiness Contact details:   Australian CFO Summit https://summit2024.australiancfo.com/  Australian Spend Management Platform https://letsweel.com/ Michael Wood : https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwood/  Translucent https://www.translucent.io/  Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/ Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting  X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU