Guides

Changing your finance system: A toolkit for Nonprofits

This practical guide walks you through everything you need to know about upgrading your finance setup – from spotting the signs it's time for a change to making it happen smoothly. Get the right tools working for you, so you can spend less time on admin and more time making a difference.

Finance software evaluation checklist

If you’re weighing up different finance systems, this checklist makes the process easier. Use it to line up vendors side by side, focus on what really matters, and make a confident choice for your organisation.

Preparing for implementation

Prepare for a smooth implementation by ensuring all stakeholders understand expectations, securing genuine buy-in from your team, and committing sufficient time and resources to configuration, testing, and training from the outset.

The breakup conversation

Understand your contractual obligations and data rights before parting with your old vendor, learn how to navigate "right to use" licence demands, and decide how much historical data you genuinely need to extract versus what you can safely leave behind.

Putting it in writing

Learn how to craft a concise, compelling business case that addresses stakeholder concerns, calculates the cost of doing nothing versus the investment required, and presents both financial and strategic benefits to win approval.

Conducting the search

Master the seven-step process for selecting accounting software - from deciding whether you need external help and conducting effective gap analysis, to running productive vendor demos and weighing value against price while avoiding common pitfalls.

Getting the board on board

Discover how to build a compelling business case for change by understanding your stakeholders' concerns, quantifying the hidden costs of inefficient processes and demonstrating both the financial and strategic benefits of modern finance software.

The FD's definitive guide to switching software with confidence

Learn to recognise the warning signs that your accounting system is holding you back - from endless month-ends and manual workarounds to risky on-premises servers - and discover how to calculate the true cost of doing nothing.

Priceless: How finance professionals can look after mental health and wellbeing

Finance professionals are under more pressure than ever. But stress and burnout aren't inevitable - and they're not just a personal problem. This guide covers how to spot the warning signs, protect your own wellbeing, and create an environment where your team can genuinely thrive.