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Welcome to the FD's definitive guide to switching accounting software with confidence!

Switching accounting software isn't just a technical upgrade - it's a career-defining decision. For Finance Directors, CFOs and senior finance professionals, the stakes are high. Get it wrong, and you risk months of disruption, sleepless nights and a legacy you'd rather forget. But get it right, and you unlock new efficiencies, better data and a finance function that's fit for the future.

This guide is your roadmap to making that change with confidence. It's built on real-world insights from finance leaders who've been through the pain - and come out stronger. Whether you're just starting to question your current system or you're gearing up to pitch a new one to your board, this hub gives you direct access to each chapter of the guide, so you can dive into the topics that matter most to you.

Resource Hub - Chapter 1 Switching Systems Guide
CHAPTER ONE

How not to get fired (or want to quit) when choosing new software

In this Chapter you will learn:

  • Switching software can be painful - may people put it off
  • Why you may already know you've outgrown your finance system
  • 7 key questions to ask to work out if the pain of change is worth it
  • Lots more questions in a handy takeaway checklist
  • How to count the cost of 'doing nothing'
Resource Hub - Chapter 2 Switching Systems Guide
CHAPTER TWO

Getting the board on board: How to win allies and influence people

In this Chapter you will learn:

  • Your stakeholders: how to spot them 
  • Why stakeholder personas aren't just marketing nonsense
  • The different messages that work for different colleagues
  • Some conversations you need to have
  • How to start adding numbers to the case for change
Resource Hub - Chapter 3 Switching Systems Guide
CHAPTER THREE

How not to get fired (or want to quit) when choosing new software

In this Chapter you will learn:

  • Why you need a clear list of must-haves, nice-to-haves and non-essentials
  • How to research software beyond Google (and what to avoid)
  • What to ask in demos—and what vendors often don’t tell you
  • Why relationships with vendors matter as much as features
  • How to compare price vs value without falling into common traps
Resource Hub - Next Chapter Teaser
CHAPTER FOUR

Coming soon....

🎙️ Unlock expert insights live

Join our webinar series for deeper conversations with finance leaders and transformation experts.

Discover real-world lessons, ask your questions, and explore the guide in action.

Live webinar on why changing finance system feels so hard
THURSDAY 28 AUGUST | 11AM (BST)
Why changing finance systems feels so hard - and how to get it right.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to overcome the psychological barriers that make change feel harder than it is and leave with the tools to lead your team through it with clarity and confidence. 

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Meet the finance leaders behind the guide

These contributors helped us uncover what really works when switching accounting software.
  • Jamie Allen 4PointZero

    Jamie Allen | Founder & CEO, 4PointZero

    Jamie worked for a top 100 accountancy firm before founding 4PointZero, a team of independent finance professionals and technology experts. The business partners with trusted software providers to eliminate inefficiencies, streamline finance processes, and deliver ongoing training and support. With no ties to any single supplier, 4PointZero offers truly impartial solutions – and has helped over 1,000 clients improve their financial operations. 

  • Keith Collins Adapta Consulting

    Keith Collins | Principal Consultant, Adapta Consulting

    Keith has worked with nonprofit organisations of every conceivable type in a number of countries since 1992. He specialises in helping organisations identify, select, adopt and use technology to improve their relationships with all key stakeholders. This can involve choosing tech to support a new strategy or making better use of the tools they have. 

  • Russell Frayne Gravita

    Russell Frayne | Director of Transformation, Gravita

    Russell has more than 20 years of accountancy experience and nearly a decade in private equity-backed practices. At Gravita, he delivers value to businesses of all sizes through innovation and automation in their finance functions. He specialises in digital adoption, process optimisation and scalable systems to power growth, bridging traditional accountancy with innovation.  

  • Frances Kay TC Group (1)

    Frances Kay | Partner, TC Group and Director, App Advisory Plus 

    Frances has been a key part of TC Farnell Clarke since 2013, becoming a Principal Director and shareholder in 2015 and co-founder of App Advisory Plus. An ACCA-qualified professional, Frances specialises in finance system transformation, leading projects that modernise and optimise financial processes for both clients and internal operations.  

    She’s passionate about harnessing cutting-edge technology to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and develop scalable, repeatable solutions. She’s also committed to continuous improvement, refining client experience, delivery processes and team development. 

  • Lauren McCluskey AAB

    Lauren McCluskey | Head of Virtual Finance function, AAB 

    Lauren is AAB’s Virtual Finance Function partner, heading the practice’s work for companies that have a limited or no internal finance function. Based in Aberdeen, she works with large corporates, international groups and AIM-listed companies. She advises on issues from process and transaction to support, attending board meetings, setting and reporting on KPIs and management information.   

  • Mark Preston Blackpool Grand

    Mark Preston | Head of Business and Finance, Blackpool Grand Theatre 

    Mark heads finance for both the Blackpool Grand Theatre (Arts & Entertainments) Ltd, which as well as its diverse Theatre program also has a multi award winning Creative Learning Department, and the Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Ltd, which owns the magnificent Grade II listed building. He has been with the Grand since 2015, during which time he has brought payroll and pension provision in-house, implemented two finance systems and presided over a digital transformation in the finance department, for which he was recognised as a highly commended finalist in the 2023 Accountancy Excellence Finance Director of the Year award. 

  • Paul Sypko Adapta Consulting

    Paul Sypko | Partner, Adapta Consulting 

    Paul is a highly experienced technology management consultant, with a senior-level CIO/CTO background. 

    Prior to Adapta, Paul held senior roles at not-for-profit specialists Sayer Vincent, Crowe UK, and BlueSpark Consulting. Clients at Adapta have included ActionAid UK, Tate Britain, the Institution of Civil Engineers, British Gymnastics, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Lymphoma Action and the Woodland Trust. 

  • Richard Woolgar Armstrong Watson

    Richard Woolgar | Head of Outsourcing, Armstrong Watson 

    Based in Armstrong Watson’s head office in Carlisle, Richard heads up the national outsourcing team, working with clients to build virtual finance solutions through standardisation and automation. 

    Richard has focused on management information and systems, conducting systems reviews for organisations of all sizes and advising on integrated finance systems, for more than a decade.  

  • Louise Zandstra National Youth Theatre

    Louise Zandstra | Director of Finance, National Youth Theatre 

    Louise has led systems changes and improvements in a succession of arts and cultural organisations. She has been in charge of finance at the National Youth Theatre since 2023.  

    Her previous experience includes The Charleston Trust, the Lyric Hammersmith, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Brighton Dome and Festival, Save the Children and Hackney Empire Theatre.