Data Bottleneck Challenges Turned into an Opportunity
When Michael King – the CFO Accelerator and driving force behind the firm The Connected Accountant – started building his company more than 7 years ago, he looked for a mentor to show him how to do it “the right way.”
Struggling to find one – which eventually led him to slow growth and loss of profits – he made a decision. Now, he admits being on a “mission to help those that are coming after me avoid the mistakes I made so they can build the firm of their dreams faster.”
These days, he has specialised in assisting fractional CFOs and accountants in building advisory firms that reach impressive revenue figures. His brand is synonymous with high-quality coaching courses and a supportive community.
Aiming to Optimise Time and Gain Strategic Focus
But Michael King's growth journey hasn’t been smooth and without challenges.
A significant issue he faced was the excessive amount of time he and his CFOs team spent on manual data-related tasks. As he aptly put it, "The problem was they were doing a lot of tactical data-related work. And where I needed them to be was on that thought leadership work."
Michael immediately Recognized the value his CFOs could bring to clients through strategic insights and financial strategies. Yet, they were held back by time-consuming data manipulation tasks.
Then, he mentions, “we've also got the issue of just human error that gets involved in that process.” He emphasises the importance of consistent delivery for client perception. As he says, “it really does elevate the perception of the value of the brand.”
While using Google Sheets helped simplify their tech stack, Michael’s CFOs were still spending too much time manually importing data from QuickBooks. This limited the number of clients each CFO could handle, but they were just one step away from solving it.
G-Accon's Game-Changing Integration
What Michael needed was a solution that seamlessly connected QuickBooks data with Google Sheets.
After searching, they found G-Accon, a 100% Customizable integrated solution.
Initially, Michael was reluctant due to their unique internal templates and reporting style. However, after trialling G-Accon and engaging with their responsive support team, they were able to fully customize CFO reports and dashboards with real-time data updates.
G-Accon enabled automated data transfer between QuickBooks and Google Sheets, eliminating manual work and allowing Michael’s team to manage more clients efficiently.
“I think the term Game Changers has been mainly overused. But it
literally was for us. Because this one simple platform that's like 10 to 20
bucks a month, has now solved this problem. We were spending a little
over 40 hours a month on manual data importing, exporting and
manipulation. And within a few hours of playing with G-Accon, that
problem was eliminated.”– Michael King, The CFO Accelerator
Optimised Time, Elevated Value
G-Accon set Michael’s business on a path of growth. By saving 40 hours per month per CFO on manual data tasks, his team could focus on strategic leadership rather than data manipulation.
Consistent, accurate reports generated through G-Accon elevated the perceived value of Michael's firm. Clients received tailored CFO reports and dashboards, showcasing the firm’s commitment to precision and insights.
Accelerating Impact by Thinking Differently
Michael King's success highlights the power of strategic technology integration. Through G-Accon, he optimised his team’s efficiency, elevated service value, and drove business growth.
Key lessons from his journey include:
- Aiming for Automation: Automating manual data processes saves time and enables growth.
- Value of Consistency: Accurate reporting enhances client trust and elevates service value.
- Simplicity in Tech Stack: Streamlining tools increases efficiency.
- Customisation and Support: Tools like G-Accon offer flexibility and reliable support.
Michael King's story demonstrates that G-Accon can help businesses achieve efficiency, value delivery, and growth. Learn how G-Accon can transform your business by contacting support@accon.services.
All comments by Michael King are part of the “Accelerating Impact by Thinking Differently” episode of the Accounting High: Freshman Year podcast with Scott Scarano.
