Connect with Alan FitzGerald,
Time-Saving Fractional CTO & Advisor For Accountants
from Melbourne, Australia
Introduction
Headline:
Time-Saving Fractional CTO & Advisor For Accountants
I am a(n):
Fractional CTO | Accounting Software Whisperer | Marathon Runner | Guitar enthusiast
I am the go-to for:
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.
What I do:
I’m a vendor-agnostic, Fractional CTO on a mission to save you time and reduce the anxiety of systems and tools that aren’t working as well as they should.
Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand wrote about my service - read it here: http://bit.ly/WhatIsAFractionalCTO
If you’re busy and your time is valuable – don’t waste it managing your IT systems when you can spend it with your clients or growing your business.
My goals are to make it easier for YOU to deal with your clients – and for your CLIENTS to deal with you.
Services
Pick My Brain
Free
- Over the phone
- 20 minutes
- 10 call(s) remaining this month
Need Someone To Brainstorm Out Loud With?
$699
- Online
- 1 hour
- 4 booking(s) remaining this month
3 x Private Online Working Sessions
$1,350
- Online
- 1 hour
- 4 booking(s) remaining this month
5 x Private Online Working Sessions
$1,999
- Online
- 1 hour
- 3 booking(s) remaining this month
Alan Can Take the load Off Your Plate with his Fractional CTO service
$2,450 / month
- Monthly
- 3 booking(s) remaining this month
Introduction
Headline:
Time-Saving Fractional CTO & Advisor For Accountants
I am a(n):
Fractional CTO | Accounting Software Whisperer | Marathon Runner | Guitar enthusiast
I am the go-to for:
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.
What I do:
I’m a vendor-agnostic, Fractional CTO on a mission to save you time and reduce the anxiety of systems and tools that aren’t working as well as they should.
Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand wrote about my service - read it here: http://bit.ly/WhatIsAFractionalCTO
If you’re busy and your time is valuable – don’t waste it managing your IT systems when you can spend it with your clients or growing your business.
My goals are to make it easier for YOU to deal with your clients – and for your CLIENTS to deal with you.
Offer
My Offer:
Don’t pay for a full-time Chief Technology Officer (CTO) when an hour of my time will definitely save many of yours. As your Fractional CTO, I can:
Take on your IT concerns so you can focus on doing what you do best
Channel my 21+ years of experience into putting the right tools into the right hands in your accounting firm
Review your current technology and systems and make them better
Put a microscope to your buying decisions and save you spending too much money on tools you don’t need
Arrange training and education for your staff to make the most out of the tech you already have
Keep you up-to-date with any and all innovations (ones that you will actually need)
My ideal target audience:
ACCOUNTING FIRMS: If you need support or assistance to develop a technology strategy or want to completely revise your entire technology from the ground up (see how I have helped firms just like yours in my portfolio below).
Reach out if you want to:
- Get customised solutions perfectly suited for your particular firm
- Update your practice and compliance software
- Cut the noise and assist management teams to navigate the many, often confusing, options available.
- Figure out what Practice Management systems are suitable for your firm
- Choose the right document management system to keep your house in order
- Find the best tax products for me and my clients
- Explore new efficiency tools to make work easier
- Understand technology from an expert in what you need (read many recommendations on my LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arfitzgerald/)
Feel free to also book a session if you want to ask me about:
What I am currently working on
Industry trends, insights, observations & opinions
My current role & responsibilities
My day-to-day
How I got to where I am today
What I enjoy most/least about my career
Recommendations for anyone entering my career or industry
Recommended books, articles, blogs, conferences, tools, apps, etc.
About
Why me:
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.
A little bit about myself:
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.
What it’s like to work with me:
When you work with me, you’ll have access to unbiased information that can be difficult to get from a single vendor (as they will naturally play to their strengths).
I provide high-level overviews of technologies and how they might benefit/affect you. I then guide your business on the best solutions to incorporate into your business to get you the best outcome
Fun fact about me:
- 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!
Portfolio
My portfolio:
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.
Reviews
My Overall Rating:
(7 Reviews)
Written Reviews I've received:
Luke Simmons
December 9, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
Wow. We just spent an incredibly insightful 20 minutes with Alan that will help shape our business strategy for 2021.
Wow. We just spent an incredibly insightful 20 minutes with Alan that will help shape our business strategy for 2021.
Peter Groves
November 25, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
very knowledgeable and genuine intent to find the right solution.
very knowledgeable and genuine intent to find the right solution.
Ben Holt
November 23, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
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 ...
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 ...
Luke Moran
September 2, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
A great session with Alan. Provided some great insights. He was very willing to share his knowledge and experience. Many thanks Alan!
A great session with Alan. Provided some great insights. He was very willing to share his knowledge and experience. Many thanks Alan!
Nathaniel Schwalb
August 14, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
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...
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...
Ghaleon Ong
August 12, 2020 | Pick My Brain
Review:
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...
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...
Maxine Cunningham, CEO of Pick My Brain
May 29, 2020 | Pick My Brain Call
Review:
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...
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...