Today I bring to you a panel discussion entitled Shaping the Future of Your Firm - AccTech and the Digital Firm. This follows on from last week's episode, where I shared the keynote speech I gave as part of the ACCA Virtual Conference 2021 Reshaping Finance: Digitally Enabled, Sustainability-Focused. This episode is the panel discussion that followed. The conference was organised in Singapore. The moderator was Sarjit Singh, and there were five panellists, three from Singapore, of those two, were in practice, and Evan Law was the Chief Executive of the Singapore Accountancy Commission. Will Farnell joined us from England, and I of course was joining from Brisbane Australia.  For us to grow as an industry, I think it’s beneficial for us to have an awareness of what is happening beyond our own tea cup, and I am always grateful to be on these international panels. You might find it beneficial to go back and listen to last week's episode as the panelists do mention it several times. I hope you enjoy listening.  Subscribe to the Accounting Apps newsletter here http:// HeatherSmithAU.COM

Shaping the 

*THE* podcast for accounting technology enthusiasts. Dive into the world of Accounting Apps with Heather Smith, a Chartered Accountant with a flair for storytelling and the engaging host of the Accounting Apps Podcast. Heather is obsessed with how effective automation and integration can produce timely clean data, to surface information for brave, fast data-informed decision making. Better data, better decisions, better business. She explores this topic with her guests, uncovering insights that offer you a competitive edge. Delve deeper into the Accounting Apps landscape and enhance your understanding. Hit that subscribe button now!

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Brilliant guests include entrepreneurs, founders, business consultants, accountants, bookkeepers, small business owners, cloud advisors, developers, cloud integrators and solution providers.

Each month guests share how they built their business and how your business or clients can use technology to be more effective and efficient. This may include exploring:

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Today I’m sharing with you a webinar I hosted on behalf of Projectworks and WorkGuru that provides an overview of alternatives to WorkflowMax by Xero as it reaches end of life 26 June 2024. The panellists who joined me were:  Heidi Seal Ops Consultant at Business Sense (NZ) Matthew Peng Founder at Business Continuum Matt Hayter Co-Founder at Projectworks Tony Harcourt Co-Founder at WorkGuru  The panellists discussed the triggers for change, comparing features of the two solutions. They explored how each platform caters to different industries. The expert implementers shared case studies of successful migrations, highlighting challenges and opportunities clients faced. The presentation covered developing a migration strategy, including exporting data, mapping business processes, and change management. Attendees learned about assessing potential solutions by considering key questions, desired outcomes, and post go-live improvements. The session emphasised preparing early by testing new platforms and leveraging experienced partners for a smooth transition. Overall, the webinar helped attendees understand options for transitioning away from WorkflowMax by Xero to Projectworks or WorkGuru.   The Flow of the webinar  Understanding the Transition  Trigger for Change Market Reaction   Comparative Overview of Solutions  Common Features Target Industries Points of Difference   Deep Dive into Migration  Migration Strategy Case Studies Assessing Solutions   Preparation for Transition   Relevant links  Heidi Seal Ops Consultant at Business Sense (NZ) L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiseal/   E: Heidi@BusinessSense.co.nz B: https://businesssenseconsulting.co.nz/    Matthew Peng Founder at Business Continuum L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-peng/  E : Matthew@BusinessContinuum.com.au  B: https://businesscontinuum.com.au/    Matt Hayter Co-Founder at Projectworks L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-hayter-9180037/  B: https://projectworks.io/    Tony Harcourt Co-Founder at WorkGuru L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-harcourt/  B: https://workguru.io/    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   

Developing a Migration Strategy from WorkflowMax by Xero

Tyler Caskey, Partner at The Bean Counters joins me in this episode. Here are five interesting insights we talk about in the show: 1. Live Banking and Direct Digital Receipting: Tools like Weel and Airwallex enable real-time banking transactions, while solutions like Slyp and Tyro streamline payment processes by sending receipt details directly to accounting systems, reducing manual data entry. 2. Global Banking Solutions: Digital technology solutions like Airwallex, OFX, Paytron, and Wise facilitate international transactions with ease, offering competitive rates and near real-time transfers and bill payments in multiple currencies. 3. Google's Updates: Google is removing underutilised features across Android, including some related to voice controls, and shutting down its podcast app in favour of integrating podcasts into YouTube Music. This shift intrigued the author, who recently upgraded their device. 4. Updates in the Reporting Space: Various accounting software solutions have introduced updates, such as Calxa's unlinked accounts feature for cash flow forecasting, Fathom's improved KPI library experience, and G-Accon's introduction of automatic workflows within Google Sheets. 5. Xero's Invoices Changes: Xero is retiring classic invoicing in September 2024, prompting concerns from the community about missing features, like the ability to process an overpayment, inability to edit exchange rates, and inability to invoice bulk contact groups.  However, you can quickly switch back if you need features only currently available within classic invoicing. These insights highlight the ongoing technological advancements and changes within the accounting industry, offering both opportunities and challenges for practitioners and stakeholders alike.  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 

Unlocking Accounting Innovations: Live Banking, Global Solutions, Reporting Updates, and Xero's Invoicing Evolution Unveiled

Today I’m speaking with Cassandra Scott, Director of Laurus Bookkeeping In this episode, we talk about . . . - Delve into how Xbert leverages AI to scrutinise client accounting data, spotlighting over 80 potential anomalies and risks. - Discover the power of automating routine tasks such as payroll, BAS, and bookkeeping with standardised workflows. - Learn how Cassandra efficiently mapped her first 10 workflows in just half an hour, enhancing consistency. - Explore Xbert's scheduling capabilities, enabling the assignment of recurring tasks to various cycles, from daily to fortnightly. - Understand the significance of using client notes to capture unique requirements for bespoke workflows. - Gain insights into data-driven reporting and analytics, offering a glimpse into staff performance and client engagements. - Uncover how customisable reporting allows practices to dissect data from diverse angles. - Get a peek at roadmap features like capacity management, utilising timesheet data for optimal scheduling. - Hear about the transformative impact Xbert has had on Cassandra's practice, facilitating work with global clients.   Contact details: XBert: https://www.xbert.io/  Cassandra Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandrascott/  Bookkeepers in Practice FaceBook Group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1652992464953692  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

Full Stack Mastery – Elevate your Practice with Xbert | Cassandra Scott

Today I’m speaking with Jonathan Gaunt, co-founder of of Socket Digital, Xavier Analytics & FD Works In this episode, we talk about . . .   Jonathan's transition from corporate accounting to entrepreneurship, embracing new opportunities and control over his career.   Insights from working with Dragon's Den investor Richard Farleigh, focusing on solutions over limitations.   Practical tips for enhancing your LinkedIn profile to attract more followers and connections with engaging content.   The importance of storytelling with numbers and identifying the pivotal "clunk moment" in business.   The role of co-founding Xavier Analytics in improving data quality and introducing new workflow automation tools.   Reflections on selling a business and fostering innovation within larger organisations.   Development of innovative proposal software for accountants, driven by needs identification and process innovation.   Advice for entrepreneurs: be courageous, focus on controllables, and enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.   This episode is kindly sponsored by Fathom all in one reporting, analysis and forecasting. Contact details: Jonathan Gaunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gaunt/ FD Works: https://www.fd-works.co.uk/  Xavier Analytics: https://xavier-analytics.com/   UseSocket: https://www.usesocket.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   

Improving Data Quality and Practice Management through Innovation | Jonathan Gaunt

In this episode, Tom Herbert, technology editor at Accounting Web, shares his insights on the British Post Office scandal, which has been ongoing for decades, ruining the lives of many subpostmasters. Heather and Tom discussed the problems with the Post Office's Fujitsu Horizon point of sale system implementation, leading to unbalanced reconciliations and accusations of theft against subpostmasters. The Post Office used its prosecution powers and prosecuted 700 subpostmasters between 1989 and 2015, resulting in jail time, financial ruin, relationship breakdown, lost homes, living in cars, and sadly much much worse. The scandal is discussed from the perspective of an accountant, the POS implementation, the forensic accountant who aided in uncovering the issues, the suspense account, the high tax hitting the subpostmasters when they received any compensation. The story behind this scandal, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, was broadcast on ITV in January 2024. We talk about the importance of storytelling in bringing this story into the narrative of the general public. Contact details: Tom Herbert  Contact details:  Tom Herbert https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomherbert/  AccountingWeb https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/  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 

Shaping the

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