Accounting Apps Podcast

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   

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 

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 

Financial controls enable accountable growth by distributing responsibility across teams… Today I’m speaking with: Meena Berry, Senior Partnership Manager, Xero  Cassandra Scott, Head of Bookkeeping, ApprovalMax Brendan Lucas, Head of Accounting, ApprovalMax In this episode, we discuss: - ApprovalMax & Xero survey results revealing many businesses lack key financial controls - Stories of businesses defrauded due to inadequate internal verification processes - How financial controls enable accountable growth by distributing responsibility across teams - The importance of supplier verification and approval processes in mitigating fraud and non-compliance risks - The role of audit trails, budget checks, and real-time alerts in enhancing financial oversight - Case studies demonstrating how ApprovalMax and Xero streamline approval workflows - The significance of continuously improving controls as businesses scale Key takeaways: - Revisit and continuously improve your financial controls - Discuss the value of financial controls with clients - Check E-invoicing capabilities in Xero and get registered 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  Brendan Lucas https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanlucasca/ Cassandra Scott https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandrascott/ Meena Berry https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenaberry/   

Today I’m speaking with Damien Greathead Head of Marketing - Accountant & Advisor Group, Intuit Australia Our guest is a dynamic sales and marketing leader who excels in helping venture-funded software companies build robust sales and marketing functions. With a specialised focus on the accounting and fintech verticals, he has a proven track record of establishing brands and expanding customer bases across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions. He has successfully collaborated with both small and large teams across various time zones, driving impressive growth in scale-up companies, achieving over 70% growth year-on-year. He is the co-host of the Podcast: Strategy and the Virtual Controller with Penny Breslin. He worked at Ignition when it was called Practice Ignition and Dext when it was called Receipt Bank and now he is Head of Marketing - Accountant & Advisor Group, Intuit Australia.   Damien discusses his career in accounting technology marketing across the globe. He shares updates to QuickBooks features and upcoming events in Australia. He emphasised the importance of customer empathy and stories in SaaS marketing. We discuss how the Apps do have insightful data, and can truly partner with businesses, to help them grow. In this episode, we also talk about . . . - Damien Greathead's background in the accounting industry across multiple global roles - Early experiences recognising technology potential in accounting firms   - Embracing change management processes with clients at Receipt Bank - Navigating the complex US tax system and state compliance - Iterating Receipt Bank's value proposition without a GST/VAT system - Opening and growing Receipt Bank's US office - Returning to Sydney after 15+ years abroad - Leading Intuit Australia's adviser marketing team - Educating on QuickBooks features to boost confidence and adoption - QuickBooks Tax powered by Logic for seamless tax integration - Highlighting QuickBooks Online Advanced capabilities - Launching the QuickBooks Go community platform - Getting customer feedback through workplace observations - Marketing advice for Apps who want to connect with Intuit Australia, and their customer base. - Understanding problems through deep customer empathy - Sharing customer stories to fast-track app development   - The podcast, "Strategy and the Virtual Controller," Damien co-hosts with Penny Breslin, the CEO of MoneyPenny, which focuses on intentional planning through small goals inspired by Strategy and the Fat Smoker: Doing What's Obvious But Not Easy by David H. Maister   Contact details: Damien Greathead : https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiengreathead/ Intuit Australia : https://quickbooks.intuit.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

Today, I’ve something exciting to share with you. You know how you get excited when a lost Beatle or Nirvana track is found, well the extraordinary Alexi Boyd uncovered the audio of a panel discussion from Sydney Xerocon PreXerocon 2023. I honestly thought I’d never hear it again, and then mid March she sent me a copy - making me a very happy podcaster cause I get to share it with you. The panel discussion was held at the beautiful Hinchcliff House at Circular Quay. Unfortunately the room was a little noisy on the day of the event. However much to my surprise the audio quality is really quite good.     The topic for discussion was “Unravelling the future of AccounTech”.   If you are a regular listener you will know, I value bringing diversity to these tech conversations: The moderator Alexi Boyd ran a BAS and Bookkeeping business for 8 years. She is the Radio Show host of Small Biz Matters and now works in policy strategy and government relations. Her background led her to take the conversation in an interesting direction, consumer data rights and restrictions on data and innovation and the differences between data protection laws in Europe, UK, and Australia.   This event was the first time Sabby Gill, the new Dext formerly Receipt Bank CEO, had spoken in Australia. Sabby had literally just got off the plane. London based Sabby Gill brought an overseas perspective, as well as his 35 years in the UK technology sector. Aly Garrett is a modern, technology savvy accountant, from South Australia. She represented accountants, their small business clients, and living outside the major Australian cities, brought a regional perspective to the conversation.   Roger Gregg brought that unique energy that comes with being a Fintech founder, plus his expensive knowledge of the hospitality and brewing industry, which certainly flavoured the conversation.    I shall add in some recent relevant news, congratulations are in order, 10 months after recording this, it has been announced that the Access Group Has Entered Into an Agreement to Acquire Pioneering AP Automation Provider, Lightyear    Let me fill you in on a bit of a backstory. The Gregg brothers were one of the original App partners, with their solution InvitBox. I’m thinking within the first ten years? InvitBox won Xero emerging app partner in 2013. Then in May 2014 Intuit acquired InvitBox. The very blue boys turned green overnight. Several years later, in quite an unprecedented move, they bought InvitBox back from Intuit for a single dollar! And relaunched as LightYear.    Here we are ten years later, and they have sold again, this time to The Access Group.    Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7194623580830105601/  https://heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/2024/06/06/unravelling-the-future-of-accountech-sydney-xerocon-2023/ Contact details: Alexi Boyd https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiboyd/  Small Biz Matters https://smallbizmatters.com.au/  Aly Garrett https://www.linkedin.com/in/alygarrett/  Sabby Gill https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabbygill/ Roger Gregg https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogergregg/  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

Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey discuss feature and functionality releases, new integrations, pricing adjustments, and acquisitions in the Accounting Apps space during March, April, May ‘24. Today I’m speaking with Tyler Caskey Partner at The Bean Counters. In this episode, we talk about . . . News and updates from Xero, QuickBooks & MYOB were discussed, including new features, integrations, pricing changes, and acquisitions Stories from the Inventory management space, including pain points and promising solutions explored Practice management tools for accounting firms featuring FYI Elite: Combined document, employee, and practice management solution. Apps recommended for both work and personal use, such as donate blood and seven rooms Lightyear acquisition by The Access Group analysed for hospitality industry benefits Synder & Cin7: Integration for seamless inventory and financial management. Fathom Reporting: Compare Actuals YTD + Budget against the Full Year Budget reporting. Calxa Features: Bulk Connections for multiple Xero organisations, and Sub-Accounts for detailed financial tracking. Finlert’s SubSync: Integration between Stripe and Xero. A2X Accounting: New Settlements and Payouts page for e-commerce transaction reconciliation. BOMA Marketing AI: Content Assist for customising marketing content. Sharesight: Enhanced trade file upload functionality. Netgain: Automates repetitive back-office tasks, specialises in ERP software solutions. NetSuite Updates: Enhanced inventory transfer settings, batch payment approval workflows, and options to mask company bank account numbers in electronic payment files. New apps we’ve tried recently and a few personal favourites Follow up on stories from the last episode. WorkflowMax by Xero Retirement: Last day to access is 26 June 2024. Users need a migration plan now! Xero New Invoicing: Heather has switched to New Invoicing! But Tyler switched back to Classic invoicing.   Many thanks to the sponsors of todays episode: Employment Hero  Fathom Reporting XBert   Contact details: Tyler Caskey https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercaskey/  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   

Today I’m speaking with Adam Riches, CEO & Co-Founder of Netgain In this episode, we talk about . . . - Adam Riches discusses the new lease accounting standards IFRS 16 and ASC 842, and how Netgain helps clients navigate the complexities - Riches shares how Netgain automates lease data extraction from contracts using AI to save accountants time - The challenges of managing cash flow visibility and bank reconciliations for businesses are highlighted - How Netgain's tools like its close module help speed up the month-end close process and improve data quality - The history of accounting software development is examined, from mainframes to Excel, and how Netgain aims to continue innovating - Potential applications of AI in accounting are explored, such as automating bookkeeping tasks and catching previously overlooked errors Contact details:   Adam Riches linkedin.com/in/adam-riches-cpa Netgain: https://www.netgain.tech/  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   

Today I’m speaking with Sarah Lawrance, Founder & CEO of Hot Toast. In this episode, we talk about . . . - Sarah Lawrance shares her journey from childhood fascination with business to becoming a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and founding her firm Hot Toast - Lawrance discusses her formative career experiences in Australia, London and fast-growth startups, and the inspiration for starting her own business - Sarah describes her role as a CFO for rapidly growing businesses, helping clients scale through advisory services, reporting, and finance team development - Sarah integrates technologies like G-Accon and SYFT to deliver data insights, and sees opportunities in AI and machine learning "I'm a big fan of G-Accon. I really love that tool. It's such a beautiful little connector that we pull lots of data out. We use it with Google Sheets. The creatives love Google Sheets, and they love zeros. So to be able to just link those two up and then kind of manipulate those into our own kind of models is a massive win for us." - When she could not find an age appropriate soccer club, she started her own women's soccer team. The team has since expanded to over 100 members in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.- Frustrated by a lack of female board opportunities she co-founded the Global Women's Accounting Influencers community - The conversation covers mentoring the next generation, leveraging networks, and the power of community in the accounting industry   Contact details: Sarah Lawrance https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lawrance-fcpa-83894516/ Hot Toast : https://hottoast.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 

- Heather Smith moderates a debate between accounting software pioneer Michael Wood and tech strategist John Toon on the pros and cons of Excel vs Software - Michael argues that while Excel excels for individual tasks, software is better suited for collaboration and building efficient workflows for businesses - John counters that users, not the tools, are often to blame for Excel's downfalls, and that Excel can effectively replace basic accounting tasks for some clients  - The debate weighs the impact of tools on practice efficiency, profitability, and eventual sale value, with both sides acknowledging Excel's enduring relevance alongside advancing software - Listeners are polled on the winning side to much debate, highlighting the complexities of choosing the right tools for each accounting need Michael Wood https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwood/  https://www.translucent.io/    John Toon https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntoon/  Podcast https://digitoolsinaccrual.world/  Community https://www.digital-disruptors.com/  Beever and Struthers https://www.beeverstruthers.co.uk/  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