Your weekly go-to guide to transform your finance function into a strategic powerhouse.
Welcome CFO Techstack Community 👋,
In last week’s newsletter we talked to Kat Wellum-Kent about marginal gains in finance. We explored how incremental improvements, from automating routine tasks to streamlining month-end, can drive compounding success.
In this week’s feature, Vikki Aldworth, Management Accountant at LUSH Digital, shares how being part of a finance community has transformed her approach, from discovering game-changing tools to refining workflows with real-world insights. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tech options, this article is for you.
FEATURED ARTICLE
How community shapes the future of accounting
The era of working in isolation in the accounting and finance profession is long past. Today, the most forward-thinking professionals turn to communities to share knowledge, solve challenges, and discover innovative tools that enhance efficiency and impact. Vikki Aldworth, Management Accountant at LUSH Digital, offers valuable insights into how being part of a community has influenced her approach to accounting—and her experiences highlight the power of collaboration in modern finance.
The power of shared knowledge
For Vikki, the CFO Techstack community has been a game-changer. “There’s stuff on there that you’ve not even heard of,” she explains, emphasising how the community has introduced her to tools and systems she might never have discovered independently. “You can do all the research under the sun, but there are still systems out there that are probably better—you just don’t know about them.”
This challenge is familiar to many finance professionals. With new apps and tools emerging constantly, the sheer volume of options can feel overwhelming. “It’s like, where do you even start?” she says. Communities like CFO Techstack’s The Stack Exchange offer a solution—a curated space where professionals can exchange recommendations, learn from others' experiences, and avoid unnecessary trial and error.
Real-world insights and inspiration
One of the most valuable aspects of the CFO Techstack community, according to Vikki, is the collection of How I Stacked It articles, where finance leaders share their app stacks and workflows. “There might be stuff on there that we haven’t even thought about that we could automate,” she notes. These real-world examples not only spark new ideas but also highlight opportunities for efficiency improvements that might otherwise go unnoticed.
For Vikki, community engagement isn’t just about problem-solving—it’s a source of continuous inspiration. “I think it’s very exciting. I like the sort of stuff that makes life easier.” And ultimately, that’s the goal: to make finance work more efficient, insightful, and enjoyable.
Why community matters in accounting
The accounting and finance industry is evolving rapidly, driven by automation, AI, and an ever-expanding range of tech solutions. Navigating this landscape can be daunting, but communities provide a crucial support system.
These spaces foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth. They keep finance professionals informed about the latest trends, introduce them to new tools, and provide firsthand insights from peers. For in-house accountants, finance directors, CFOs, and other finance professionals, joining a community isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.
How are communities shaping the future of accounting
Beyond knowledge-sharing, finance communities are actively shaping the future of the profession by driving industry-wide innovation. When professionals collaborate, they push boundaries, challenge outdated processes, and accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge solutions. Whether it’s uncovering hidden automation opportunities, refining reporting workflows, or advocating for better tools, these conversations lead to real change. As finance teams become more tech-enabled and strategic, communities act as incubators for the next generation of best practices—ensuring accounting is not just keeping up with change, but leading it.
The future of accounting is collaborative. By engaging with a community, finance professionals don’t just keep pace with change—they help drive it. Now is the time to embrace the power of collective knowledge and shape the future of finance together.
COMMUNITY INSIGHTS
🎤 How I stacked it
Florentina Sandu, Founder at Migrate My Accounts, shares their tech stack
Migrate My Accounts specialises in migrating other systems to Xero, helping businesses transition smoothly from outdated systems to efficient, cloud-based solutions. They collaborate with top system advisors to provide comprehensive support, ensuring minimal disruption and enhanced productivity. With a decade of experience, they offer services both in the UK and worldwide, catering to businesses of all sizes and complexities.
Their day-to-day work involves more than just data transfers, it’s about empowering businesses to move forward. Many companies hesitate to switch accounting software, fearing disruption or data loss. Business growth begins with the courage to evolve beyond outdated processes. Your accounting system should drive progress, not hold it back.
Here's what Florentina and their team are using:
Mayday for Intercompany: If you’re running a group of companies, sorting out intercompany charges can be a nightmare. That’s why Mayday is usually one of the first tools we introduce after migration, it automates the whole process, saving finance teams hours of manual work.
Joiin for Consolidation: Let’s be honest, month-end reporting shouldn’t mean wrestling with 100 Excel tabs. With Joiin, everything’s in one place, making consolidations easy and freeing up your team for more important work. It’s so easy to use, our clients’ finance teams love it.
G-Accon for Reporting: Some of our clients live in Google Sheets, and we totally get it, G-Accon makes Xero and Google Sheets work together like a dream, bringing in live data, automating reports, and giving our clients way more flexibility than Xero’s standard reports.
AppVentory for Xero Integrations: Finally, Some control over Xero integrations! We starter using AppVentory recently and we already love it. It works great for multi-entity groups keeping an eye out on those connected apps, from how much they costs to how much they are used BUT what we love most about this app is the feature where you can create your own tech stack options to apply for each individual client based on their processes and needs, this is a life-saver for accounting firms.
DataSights for Reporting: Whether you're a finance pro or a BI geek, it makes Xero reporting so much easier. DataSights automates Power BI dashboards, Excel reports, and even lets you post data to multiple Xero accounts with one click. Basically, it takes the grunt work out of financial reporting.
Lightyear for AP: This app has been the star of our migrations. We’ve seen Lightyear transform accounts payable for so many businesses. It automates invoice approvals and purchasing workflows, making them up to 80% faster. No more chasing approvals…just a smooth, streamlined process from start to finish.
Get ready Australia–Stacked 2025 is coming to Sydney!
The ultimate event for in-house finance teams! Gear up for a massive day, full of insightful speakers, incredible tech exhibitors and unmatched peer to peer networking. This is the event of the year for in-house finance teams!
Expect incredible speakers like:
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Renee and others as they discuss the challenges they faced during rapid growth, why they held off on switching to an ERP, and the lessons they'd apply if they could do it all over again on the Scaling with SMB panel.
Cutting-edge exhibitors like:
ApprovalMax is an award-winning B2B software platform used by businesses around the world to build robust financial controls. It streamlines the approval process by allowing users to create automated workflows to approve bills and invoices.
ApprovalMax integrates with platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks Online, and NetSuite to unlock powerful efficiencies for accounts payable and accounts receivable functions in any finance team.
THE STACK EXCHANGE
🧵 This week's top threads, from The Stack Exchange
The Stack Exchange is a Slack forum for connecting with peers, sharing insights, and staying updated on apps and industry events—helping you transform your finance function into a strategic powerhouse.
Here are this week's top 3 discussions from The Stack Exchange:
As finance leaders gear up for 2025, digital transformation, AI advancements, and integrated technologies continue to drive change. Navigating these trends effectively is crucial for building resilient and forward-thinking strategies in an uncertain economic landscape.
Save time & make payroll more secure with Mimo & FreshPay! Join us for a live discussion, product demos and Q&A to find out how to upgrade your payroll process.
Discover seven tried and tested strategies that helped businesses like yours prevent late payments. Learn from industry experts who will provide practical advice, answer your burning questions, and guide you toward effective credit management.
.png?upscale=true&width=1196&upscale=true&name=Untitled%20design%20(42).png)
