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Strategy & GrowthStrategy & Growth
30 leaders on what firms must do next

30 leaders on what firms must do next

The Finance Takes The Piste 2025 whitepaper is here - download the insights and start applying the actions.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
People & TalentPeople & Talent
The skills accountants need, but don’t have today (& why that’s a leadership issue)

The skills accountants need, but don’t have today (& why that’s a leadership issue)

A gap is growing between what clients want and what firms can deliver. Can leaders act quickly enough to fill these missing skills?

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Strategy & GrowthStrategy & Growth
30+ accounting leaders and a closed-door conversation about growth. What was raised?

30+ accounting leaders and a closed-door conversation about growth. What was raised?

Growth should be a top priority for all firm leaders. And, no, it’s not enough to rely on passive growth channels like referrals alone.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Brand & marketingBrand & marketing
No, you can’t put a value on a brand. But a brand adds value to your firm.

No, you can’t put a value on a brand. But a brand adds value to your firm.

We don’t talk enough about brands in accounting. flinder is proof that a strong brand can deliver strong results: new business, recruitment, and even our exit were supported by a clear, consistent, and unique brand story.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
TechTech
Yes, accountants can build great software. But should they build to sell?

Yes, accountants can build great software. But should they build to sell?

Let down by vendors, some accountants step up to the challenge of product innovation. Having been there, done that myself, I spoke with several other accountants-turned-product-owners about the risks and rewards of building accountancy software - and building it to sell.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
M&AM&A
10 key details from flinder's CIM (and how they closed the deal)

10 key details from flinder's CIM (and how they closed the deal)

Firms aren’t acquired on vision and clarity alone. A CIM must present the necessary details, in the necessary depth, to get acquirers to the table. These are the 10 that worked for flinder.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
M&AM&A
Storytelling that sells: what we got right (and nearly got wrong) in flinder’s CIM

Storytelling that sells: what we got right (and nearly got wrong) in flinder’s CIM

A CIM has several layers: it’s about what you say and how it’s said, too. Storytelling helps differentiate, engage, and highlight important details. We nearly fell victim to one, easy mistake though...

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
TechTech
With software letting us down, should firms keep buying - or build - a practice management system?

With software letting us down, should firms keep buying - or build - a practice management system?

flinder’s custom practice management tech stack was a key factor in the firm reaching multi-million-pound revenue. So when is it the right time to buy a practice management solution and when are you better off building?

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
M&AM&A
The CIM that sold flinder (and what it taught me)

The CIM that sold flinder (and what it taught me)

Writing flinder’s CIM was a five-month process. It took time. But the time we invested early-on in storyboarding and scoping the document paid off once out in the world. Five months of planning and countless iterations created the CIM that sold flinder in just 55 days.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence
This chart will change the way your firm views AI

This chart will change the way your firm views AI

AI is a flexible, scalable tool. Any firm, big or small, can use it - no in-house tech teams required.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
FaaSFaaS
Clients want something new from accountants. Are you ready to compete?

Clients want something new from accountants. Are you ready to compete?

New service offerings demand a new set of skills from accounting professionals. Firms can create and protect value-adding propositions - if they’re hiring, training, and empowering the right accountants for the role we play today.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
FaaSFaaS
Think your clients are rational people? It’s time to think again.

Think your clients are rational people? It’s time to think again.

Numbers might follow logic, but your clients often don’t. No one does all of the time. That’s why progressive accounting firms are embracing emotion and irrationality to become more valuable partners.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
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A series of ramblings on how we built flinder and the lessons along the way.

The Naked Accountant

A series of ramblings on how we built flinder and the lessons along the way.

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