Time-Saving Fractional CTO & Advisor For Accountants
Fractional CTO Accounting Software Whisperer Marathon Runner Guitar enthusiast
Helping sole practitioners, Big4 firms, small businesses, and multinational corporations review, coordinate, and connect the pieces of a seemingly endless array of tax and accounting software products in the market.
Benjamin Franklin once quipped Death & Taxes are the two sureties in life: these days you can add rapidly changing technology as a third to that quote.
I pride myself on being technology agnostic. This means I take the best software solutions, services and practices from a wide array of business types and help you identify products/services that are best suited to you.
📞 Telephone | 💻 Virtual | 🤙 In person | 📆 Monthly
Time-Saving Fractional CTO & Advisor For Accountants
Fractional CTO Accounting Software Whisperer Marathon Runner Guitar enthusiast
Helping sole practitioners, Big4 firms, small businesses, and multinational corporations review, coordinate, and connect the pieces of a seemingly endless array of tax and accounting software products in the market.
Benjamin Franklin once quipped Death & Taxes are the two sureties in life: these days you can add rapidly changing technology as a third to that quote.
I pride myself on being technology agnostic. This means I take the best software solutions, services and practices from a wide array of business types and help you identify products/services that are best suited to you.
📞 Telephone | 💻 Virtual | 🤙 In person | 📆 Monthly
I've spent nearly 30 years in technology, 21+ of those in working with accounting technology. I set up Practice Connections Advisory in 2015, based on demand from accounting firms looking for independent technology-agnostic input when faced with myriad technology choices in the search for specialist IT solutions suitable for their firms.
Along with my advisory practice, I am:
-The strategic market adviser for TaxLab - a solution launching into the Australian market in 2020
-The regional manager for a Swiss-based software solution for CbCR (CountrybyCountryReporting)
-On the advisory board for a start-up micro-fund aimed at investing in passionate people in technology
So if the seemingly endless array of tax and accounting software products in the market is daunting for you, I can help you approach these decisions with confidence, bridging the gap between what you need and what is most suitable for your needs now and into the future.
- I am originally from Ireland but have lived and worked around the world including 3 years in Germany and 26 years in Australia. Most people are surprised to learn I speak fluent German although it becomes a lot more fluent after a beer or 3. I also get by in French & Spanish: the fate of the Irish is to leave the emerald shore to foreign lands whereupon few return...
- I have been playing the guitar for about 35 years and whilst most would think 'WOW! you must be amazing' sadly I am not, and often disappoint.
- I have run 5 marathons but they - like my guitar playing - whilst an achievement and incredibly enjoyable, fall into the category of "Enthusiasm outweighing ability".
- In 2003 I set up a running club in Melbourne which still meets weekly for a 'run & a beer'. An unexpected outcome was the many marriages that have resulted!
ACIL Allen required a modern document management system as well as an overhaul of their core GL, timekeeping and management reporting.
Marianne Lourey
Executive Director at ACIL Allen Consulting
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-lourey-819b2320/
"In 2018, we identified that our systems were not serving us well but we needed help to identify which systems were the best fit for our consulting business. We engaged Alan to review our needs and to recommend a pathway forward.
We accepted Alan’s recommendations, and implemented the new systems in 2019. We are very pleased with the outcomes - the new systems have been well accepted by our users, provide more timely information to enable us to make project-based and firm-wide decisions, and enable us to find information more easily.
In 2020, they have been a blessing during the COVID19 isolation phase - they have facilitated a seamless transition from working in the office to working from home, and provided us with the information we have needed to make timely decisions to ride through this difficult period."
James Carey
Director at Prime Partners
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-carey-b4b5384a/
"I've followed Alan's writings and thinkings over the years and finally had cause to reach out to him for some assistance and recommendations for our firm.
His knowledge of the software landscape is quite unlike anyone I've dealt with before - I highly recommend speaking with Alan to make sure you are using the right tools in the right way."
I assisted Inflo launch into APAC in 2018.
Mark Edmondson
Inflo President & CEO: evolving accounting firms with next-generation technology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-edmondson-inflo/
"Alan’s expertise are second only to his ability to combine humour with supporting accounting technology change. His ability to match the needs of a firm with the technology landscape creates long-term value for the accounting eco-system.
Alan is incredibly well connected and his network and the years he has under his belt can save days for busy firm leaders looking to solve business problems without reinventing the wheel.
Working with Alan provides value and is always a pleasure."
A division of KPMG Australia needed to develop a strategy to ensure they remained competitive in a particular accounting vertical.
Fleur Telford
Technologist, Accountant, Professional Services Management - Solutions Development Lead for Deals, Tax & Legal at KPMG
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurtelford/
"Alan's knowledge and contacts in the market make him a valuable part of any strategic discussion in a professional services firm when it comes to technology. We recently built a 5 year plan for our Enterprise department and Alan did a superb job of bringing the market view, current technology offerings, and the future landscape to the table. The workshops he ran meant that we were able to align our thinking and bring together a coherent view that all stakeholders agreed upon.
For a solid review of your current technology state, and a clear guide on where to go next, I highly recommend Alan as part of your technology strategy planning team."
Mike Barnes
Founder at Advisor-e Ltd
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeadvisore/
"Alan's knowledge of platform solutions for Accountants is second to none; his network and understanding of what it takes to be effective in the 'digital space' is sound reason why accountants across Australasia should be using his services.
The accounting industry is hard enough without having to keep track of fast moving technology! I encourage any practising accountant to 'think like a business owner' rather than a mere 'technician'. Get Alan on board and then get on with being more effective in delivering services to your clients..."
Andrew called me one day about a very specific tax software issue which a major vendor suggested that I would know the answer to: I did...
Andrew Van De Beek
Obsessed with the potential of the Accounting Industry, Whisky Enthusiast, Accountant, Rebel, Advisor, Friend
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvandebeek/
Alan, and his wealth of knowledge of the accounting tech space, helped us to solve a problem that no one else knew how to solve.
Not only a great person, but someone who truly knows his stuff!
I'd highly recommend seeking his advice out, regardless of whether you are a big business seeking guidance on how to be more tech savvy, or a small business looking to solve a problem.
Alan was fantastic and informative. He has a great depth of knowledge of not only what's available in the market place to replace what we already have but also of products that we should consider taking on to improve our s...
Speaking to Alan was enlightening, he was very knowledge on all topics raised.
Thanks Alan!
Wow. We just spent an incredibly insightful 20 minutes with Alan that will help shape our business strategy for 2021.
very knowledgeable and genuine intent to find the right solution.
Alan quite simply just 'gets it' for software in accounting firms. He understands the day-to-day whilst keeping an eye on the big picture. In 20 minutes I got some excellent actionable tips to implement straight away, and ...
A great session with Alan. Provided some great insights. He was very willing to share his knowledge and experience. Many thanks Alan!
I just spoke with Alan and found the conversation extremely helpful. I based in the US and wanted to learn more about technology trends in accounting in Australia. Alan has deep experience in the space, he was excited to s...
In the short 20 minute conversation I had with Alan, he provided me (a micro-business owner looking for accounting software) with perhaps the most important nugget when selecting a software solution: a fellow business owne...
Alan has 21 years of experience. His knowledge of the industry is incredibly apparent the minute you start talking to him. The industry is getting a real treat now that Alan is offering his time fractionally. 21 years of k...