Disrupting the Accounting Profession with Innovative Tech - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 20

Disrupting the Accounting Profession with Innovative Tech

Published on: 17th October, 2018

Neil Robertson has been disrupting the financial management industry his entire career. From his first sale of an accounting computer in 1979, through the PC revolution, multi-user systems, Windows accounting software, and now SaaS plug and play, Neil has been on the leading edge of financial automation for over 35 years, both in the UK and globally.

Neil invested in Compleat as CEO in 2008 (his 7th start up) with the aim to revolutionise the purchasing and accounts payable function with disruptive software. He worked as a purchase ledger clerk in his teens back in 1976 and for most businesses in the SME, very little has changed in the way organisations manage their purchasing processes, invoice capture and approval processes. Compleat is now delivering on that vision with highly disruptive applications that have redefined the entire purchasing process for the SME.

Here are the some shownotes of the interview with Neil – a great insight into what’s working and what’s coming up…

  • How the impact of Xero, Sage and QuickBooks and low-end automation has changed the accounting landscape completely.
  • Why large accounting firms tend to take a naturally conservative approach towards change
  • Accounting firms have access to a rapidly growing number of automated applications – the critical part is deciding which are relevant to their clients
  • To understand the value of an automation to a client, accountants need to communicate with them – obvious but overlooked
  • Growing firms recognise the importance of hiring millennials – they are enthusiastic towards change and understand technology
  • At least 75-80% of firms are using progressive accounting practices and are technically very strong
  • An accounting industry veteran shares his take on the big challenges for most accounting firms
  • The need for a differentiated value proposition to attract potential new clients away from their incumbent accountant
  • Do you have a compliance based proposition as opposed to a value-based proposition?
  • Some backward accounting firms have senior management who are reluctant to go paperless and to change 0 Neil shares a great example!
  • Relationship wisdom for accountants – every single engagement is an opportunity to learn something
  • MTD (Making Tax Digital) gives accounting firms the opportunity to offer clients fully automated accounting services
  • The bigger the accounting firm, the harder to drive change – smaller firms are much more dynamic in making decisions
  • The big frustration for large accounting firms is that there is never enough money, resource or time to implement all the changes needed

To contact Neil: +44 (0) 7738 724913 or on Twitter CompleatCEO or  Liked your Top 100 Club Podcast Interview with Rob Brown" target="_blank">email him directly>>

He can also be contacted at his LinkedIn page  linkedin.com/in/compleatceo

Neil is also a Liverpool FC fan – don’t hold it against him!

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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.