Buckle up, Appy Hour friends, because the latest episode was an absolute whirlwind of AI & Accounting, e-commerce, and, oh yeah—an actual rock star! If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got all the juicy details for you right here.
AI & Accounting: The Wild West of Tech
Liz and Heather kicked things off with a discussion on AI in the accounting space. And let’s be honest, AI is shaking things up faster than a tambourine at a rock concert. From AI bots handling workflow automation to drafting engagement letters, the possibilities are endless. But (and it’s a big but), we’ve got to talk about ethics, security, and privacy. AI is evolving at lightning speed, and accountants have the power to help shape its future. It’s like being pioneers in the Wild West—exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and totally unpredictable.
Special Guest Spotlight: A Rockstar Accountant?
Speaking of unpredictable, our guest this week, Dan, isn’t just an accounting whiz—he’s also a real-life rock star. His band, Boys of Fall, is making waves, and so is his approach to tech in the accounting profession. What’s even cooler? Dan got into accounting because he managed his band’s finances. Talk about a crossover episode we didn’t see coming!
His perspective was eye-opening, especially on the importance of accountants being tech-savvy. He shared how testing apps in a demo environment (or, in his case, using his band’s business as a guinea pig) is crucial before rolling out new tech firm-wide.
Internal App Spotlight: The Ultimate Tech Stack
Dan gave us the inside scoop on the apps that power his firm. Here’s a quick breakdown of his team’s go-to tools:
- G Suite – Email, docs, spreadsheets… you know the drill.
- Xero – The heart of their accounting system.
- SYFT – Reporting on steroids with multi-entity consolidation.
- Teamwork – Task management with capacity planning (a fan favorite!).
- Ignition – Client engagement and proposals.
- Slack – Because email chains are so last decade.
- Dashlane – A password manager that even handles MFA codes. Game-changer!
External App Spotlight: E-Commerce Magic with A2X & SubSync
E-commerce accounting can feel like wrangling a herd of wild stallions, but Dan shared some serious tech wizardry to make it manageable:
- A2X – A must-have for Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy sellers. It automates sales reconciliation, breaking down payments into sales, fees, and taxes so your books are spot on.
- SubSync – Ever wished Stripe invoices would sync seamlessly into Xero? Wish granted! SubSync makes it happen, eliminating the manual data entry nightmare.
These apps take the guesswork out of e-commerce accounting, making life way easier for firms managing clients in this space.
What’s Next? Don’t Miss These Episodes!
The Appy Hour crew has some incredible sessions coming up. Mark your calendars and register now to stay in the loop:
- Melio Deep Dive – The ultimate guide to bill pay automation.
- Accounting’s AI Revolution – No rules, no limits—what’s next for AI?
- Appy Hour Unplugged – Open mic time! Share your thoughts, insights, and wild predictions.
- Firm Spotlight with Client Hub – Learn how firms are leveling up their tech game.
Watch the Full Discussion
Don’t miss out—Explore how Xero’s automation and integrations can enhance firm efficiency. Watch the full session here.
Until next time, keep your tech stack strong and your drinks Appy!