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

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

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

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 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/

Translucent: https://www.translucent.io/

Michael Wood : https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwood/

Translucent https://www.translucent.io/

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