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Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence
How to become the top 1% of AI users in accounting in 30 minutes

How to become the top 1% of AI users in accounting in 30 minutes

Sebastian Trif, AI engineer and my cofounder at the AI Exchange, says accountants should “Be hyped on what you can do [with AI] in half an hour”. Here’s a list of ways to spend 30 minutes advancing your AI.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence
AI’s not getting any smarter, so how can accountants get more value?

AI’s not getting any smarter, so how can accountants get more value?

In accounting and finance, making gains with AI will come from breakthroughs in how we use the tech - not what the tech evolves to do.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Strategy & GrowthStrategy & Growth
The upside to entering awards and losing (from someone who’s won, lost, and judged before)

The upside to entering awards and losing (from someone who’s won, lost, and judged before)

There’s truth in the saying, “it’s not the winning, it’s the taking part”. Applying for an award - and doing it well - is a valuable process, no matter whose name gets called out on the night.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Operating modelOperating model
Why AI won’t replace offshoring any time soon...or will it?

Why AI won’t replace offshoring any time soon...or will it?

AI and offshoring have a lot in common, but they’re not interchangeable. Innovative firms explore both - together - to drive efficiency and value.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence
Is AI really any riskier than the platforms (and people) we work with today?

Is AI really any riskier than the platforms (and people) we work with today?

AI is a new frontier in accounting but you don’t need to be ‘brave’ to benefit. With the right guardrails, adopting AI is really no riskier than how you’re already working today.

Alastair Barlow
Alastair Barlow
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
FirstBack
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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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