Accounting Apps Podcast | Accounting Technology | formerly Cloud Stories Heather Smith | Accountant & Storyteller

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 

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