The right accounting software? They all work

Finance software: The real key to success lies in the integrations and system accountant

In today’s digital landscape, businesses have no shortage of finance and accounting software to choose from. Solutions like NetSuite, Sage, Iplicit, and Microsoft all offer powerful tools to manage financial processes, automate reporting, and enhance business efficiency.

Each finance software solution is designed to meet different business needs:

NetSuite: A robust cloud-based ERP system known for its multi-subsidiary capabilities and ease of configurability. Ideal for growing businesses and enterprises.

Sage: A well-known name in finance software, offering numerous products, both on-premises and now in the cloud. Strong in compliance and financial controls.

Iplicit: A newer, cloud-based solution that bridges the gap between entry-level accounting systems and full ERP suites. Good for businesses outgrowing basic tools like Xero or QuickBooks.

Microsoft: Another well-known name, that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft tools.

Each system has its pros and cons—some excel in user-friendliness, others in flexibility, reporting capabilities, or integrations. So while these platforms bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table, the real driver of success isn’t the software itself—it’s with the system accountant designing the finance data structure, then setting up and continuously optimising the finance system.

Why system accountants matter more than the software?

The success of any finance software doesn’t come down to its features alone. Large software vendor software product work. So why then do finance teams change their software?

Success depends on how the finance data architecture that is put in place, the self-service capabilities of the software and the extent to which ongoing IT maintenance costs can be minimised.

This is where system accountants—those responsible for solution designing, setting up, and continuously optimising the finance system—make the real difference.

What is a system accountant?

A systems accountant is a finance professional with expertise in both accounting and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle. Unlike a traditional accountant who focuses solely on financial reporting, compliance, and transaction processing, a systems accountant bridges the gap between finance and technology, ensuring that financial systems are optimized for efficiency, accuracy, and automation.

Key Differences Between a Systems Accountant and a Traditional Accountant :

Why are systems accountants important?

1. They improve efficiency – Automating financial processes reduces manual work and errors.
2. They enhance reporting – Custom dashboards and automated reporting help decision-makers access real-time insights.
3. They bridge finance and IT – Ensuring NetSuite and other ERP tools work smoothly for finance teams.
4. They enable finance self-service – Reducing reliance on IT for data retrieval, reporting, and system changes.
5. They future-proof systems – Helping businesses scale and adapt to new financial and operational challenges.

Isn’t the software simple enough I don’t need a systems accountant?

Even with the best finance software in place, a systems accountant remains invaluable for several reasons. While modern financial systems like NetSuite, Sage, iplicit, and Microsoft Dynamics are powerful, they are ultimately a tool.

Here’s why having a systems accountant is still crucial, even with top-tier finance software:

1. Customisation & Optimisation

Finance software comes with standard features and ‘out of the box’ leading practices for process flows, but every organisation has its own finance data architecture. A systems accountant ensures:

- The system is configured correctly to match organisation needs.

- Workflows are optimised for efficiency (e.g., automating approvals, reconciling accounts).

- The software adapts as the business grows, preventing bottlenecks.

- Without this expertise, businesses might end up using only a fraction of what the system can actually do.

2. Integrations with Other Business Tools

- No finance software exists in isolation. Businesses often rely on CRM systems (like Salesforce), payroll tools, inventory management software, or even industry-specific solutions. A systems accountant ensures:

  - Seamless integration between finance software and other systems.

  - Data flows correctly, reducing manual data entry and errors.

  - Reports provide a single source of truth, rather than fragmented data.

  - If integrations are set up poorly, businesses face duplicate data, reconciliation headaches, and inefficiencies.

3. Advanced Reporting & Decision Support

 - Good finance software comes with reporting tools, but are they telling the right story? A systems accountant:

 - Designs custom reports and dashboards tailored to business needs.

 - Ensures real-time insights are available for decision-making.

 - Helps business leaders interpret financial data rather than just generate reports.

 - Without the right expertise, businesses may get generic reports that don’t provide actionable insights

4. Continuous Improvement

 - No organisation is completely static. Over time, organisational needs evolve. A systems accountant is key to:

 - Fixing errors in system configurations, reports, or workflows.

 - Identifying bottlenecks and improving system performance.

 - Keeping up with software updates and new features to ensure continued optimization.

 - Without someone monitoring and refining the system, businesses miss out on improvements and efficiency gains.

The bottom line: software is a tool — a systems accountant is the expert that makes it work

Finance software is powerful, but it’s just a tool. The real difference-maker is how well it’s implemented, maintained, and optimised. A systems accountant ensures businesses:

✅ Get the most value out of their finance software.

✅ Have a system that evolves with their needs.

✅ Maintain compliance and data accuracy.

No software replaces expertise. The best finance system in the world won’t help a business if it’s not set up and managed correctly—and that’s where a systems accountant makes all the difference.

The takeaway: invest in expertise, not just software

Choosing the right finance software is important, but investing in the right people to design the finance data structure, set up and continuously optimising the finance system is critical. Businesses should focus not just on the features of NetSuite, Sage, Iplicit, or Microsoft Dynamics but also on who will be responsible for making the system work. This can be achieved through a combination of limited external consultants and upskilling internal people, with easy to use, self-serve software.

A great system accountant turns software into a business asset. They don’t just operate the system—they make it drive efficiency, compliance, and strategic decision-making.

So, the next time you’re looking for a finance solution, don’t just ask, “Which software is best?” Instead, ask:

“Do we have the right expertise to make it work for us?”

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the software—it’s about the systems accountants.

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