How Top Accounting Firms Are Moving to Cloud Accounting - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 22

How Top Accounting Firms Are Moving to Cloud Accounting

Published on: 31st October, 2018

Matt Flanagan is a cloud business systems specialist, working in close partnership with forward thinking accountants to support their transition to cloud accounting & developing relevant advisory services.

Matt’s background was 15 years in enterprise IT delivery on HMRC & NHS platforms, leaving the corporate world in 2012 and has been working in the cloud accounting sphere since 2014.

Matt has been monitoring and commentating on the 1st phase of Making Tax Digital (MTD) and accounting firm’s digital transition for the last 18 months. Cloud adoption and client selection are key areas that Matt works with firms to improve engagement and client retention, ensuring firms are thinking about being Advisory ready as well as MTD ready. Shownotes:

  • Why the smaller, more agile firms are adopting cloud faster than the larger ones
  • How FOMO (fear of missing out) is driving digital change as much as MTD
  • Larger accounting firms are poor at setting themselves up internally to be more digital
  • Putting one person in charge of digital and cloud adoption (cloud champion) doesn’t work – it needs a firm wide culture change
  • Some accounting firms are still burying their heads in the sand and thinking digital is not going to happen
  • Change management is at the heart of adopting cloud technologies
  • The two biggest concerns for accounting firms moving to cloud – where to start and information overwhelm
  • The British factor can hold us back in adopting change – we’re sometimes not as quick to change as say accountants in Australia and New Zealand
  • The best accounting firms truly understand which clients they serve and how they serve them well
  • The way many accountants sell is weak – software demos are no replacement for finding out what a client really need and where they want to be
  • Communication is the main tool for the world class operator in any customer facing sector
  • The new tech coming down the road requires major adapting skills from accounting professionals
  • How accounting firms should hire tech people to drive growth
  • Talk is cheap – the best accounting firms and accountants take action on their knowledge
  • Poor advice given to accountants – don’t be the guinea pig and wait to see what others do with the tech
  • For accounting firms, the decision to invest in software starts with asking what you want the tech to do for you and your clients
  • In the next 3-5 years, the cloud accounting tech is going to be taken for granted
  • The future for accounting firms is how they use the tech to interpret the data and use that to help clients make better decisions
  • Many accounting firms neglect the basics when it comes to software and cloud accounting
  • The 5 steps accounting firms need to go through in transitioning to digital

To contact Matt: 07738 984 242 (United Kingdom)  Liked your Top 100 Club Podcast Interview with Rob Brown" target="_blank">email him directly>>

BlueHub or https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattflanagan3/

Twitter: MattFlanBH

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.