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What does good support really look like in the finance software world?

What does good support really look like in the finance software world?

Insights from Dave Fay, Head of Support at AccountsIQ, on why world-class support is no longer optional but essential for finance leaders navigating mounting pressures and complex software.

Blog Posts
5 min
Tips


Finance leaders and their teams are under enormous pressure. Last year’s CFO Mindset Report from AccountsIQ revealed that 85% of CFOs need an extra one to two days per week just to manage their workload, while 76% feel they’re not fully in control of their organisation’s financial health. If that doesn’t scream ‘urgent need for support’, we don’t know what does. Support in finance software isn’t a nice-to-have - it’s make-or-break for any finance team trying to stay ahead.

As we gear up to launch our second report in the CFO Mindset series, we’re doubling down on our mission to uncover and tackle the most pressing challenges facing finance professionals across industries. Last year’s findings highlighted the growing need for technology to help teams stay in control - but it raises a critical question: who is actually there to help finance teams adapt, thrive, and get the most out of this new tech?

Support is not a wish list item when it comes to finance software. It’s a consistent, non-negotiable need. Yet too many teams are still forced to settle for slow responses, poor onboarding, and generic guidance. So, what does truly good support look like, and why does it matter so much?


Onboarding that actually works

Whether with entry-level systems or ERP software, onboarding can be mediocre at best. Finance teams dread complex setups, cookie-cutter training, and the risk that new systems will disrupt daily operations. The difference between a good and a bad onboarding experience is stark. Exceptional onboarding is hands-on, structured, and ongoing. It sets clear milestones, offers personalised guidance, and ensures teams feel confident from day one - not like they’re left to figure it out themselves.

And here’s the kicker: the quality of support after go-live is just as important. Slow responses, boilerplate answers, and limited availability frustrate teams and waste time. Great support is personal, patient and proactive. It turns software from a frustrating tool into a partner that actually helps you get things done.

Why support isn’t optional

Workload pressures aren’t going away. Finance leaders are juggling tighter deadlines, growing responsibilities, and mounting expectations. That’s why software support is the backbone of effective financial management.

Take Stott and May, a global technology recruitment agency, for example. They were struggling with a fragmented system that slowed reporting and hampered decision-making. By switching to AccountsIQ, they unified multi-entity accounts, slashed month-end closing from weeks to days, and gained real-time insights that genuinely improved strategic planning. Crucially, this was supported by a team that listened and guided them long before go-live - and continued to provide hands-on support well after the system was in place.  

Good support in finance software isn’t optional. It’s proactive onboarding, responsive assistance, and intelligent automation that together deliver efficiency, confidence, and growth. Finance teams don’t just want it - they need it. And if a solution can’t deliver, it shouldn’t even be on the shortlist.  

Ready to see support done right? Explore how real, responsive support transforms finance teams - Dive into AccountsIQ’s Support Centre →

Miles ahead: Smarter support, stronger mindsets, better days at work

Miles ahead: Smarter support, stronger mindsets, better days at work

With insights from Gordon Crawford,  this blog explores how finance teams can adopt elite athletic mindsets - focusing on collaboration, adaptability and resilience.

Blog Posts
5 min
Tips


When we kicked off our Miles Ahead webinar with Gordon Crawford, performance director at Triathlon Ireland, we weren’t interested in just swapping sports metaphors. We wanted something more meaningful - a fresh way to rethink how finance teams approach performance, resilience and progress.

Finance professionals face complex challenges and high expectations every day, often with as much pressure and intensity as elite athletes.

At the heart of it all, better experiences come down to cultivating a stronger, more adaptable mindset. Let’s take a closer look at the insights Gordon shared on the webinar and how they can inspire finance teams to work smarter, support better and achieve more balanced, sustainable success.

1. Performance isn’t just results - it’s progress together

"Working together is progress. Performing is success."

As Gordon shared, elite athletes know that performance starts with alignment and shared direction. For finance teams, that means breaking silos, clarifying goals and building processes that support consistent, collaborative progress. It’s not just about closing the books faster. It’s about doing it with less friction, smarter support and greater impact across the business ensuring each professional feels valued.

2. Think differently, not just harder

High performers don’t grind until burnout. They reframe and rethink when a challenge arises. Whether it’s a late-stage training block or a quarter-end close, it’s the mindset shift that matters:
Challenge = opportunity.
This reframing is core to how both athletes and finance leaders push forward. Through automation, better workflows and a willingness to adapt to new tech, teams and leaders can spend less time firefighting and more time thinking strategically.

3. Resilience is a skill, not a trait

Improvement isn’t linear. In fact, the dips often matter more than the highs. Gordon reminded us that resilience is about response, not recovery - finding new ways around old problems, questioning assumptions and building habits that support long-term momentum.
For finance teams, that could mean rethinking legacy systems, iterating on support models, or simply making time for process reflection after a chaotic month-end.

4. People and process are the performance edge

Behind every medal is a team: - coaches, analysts, physiotherapists, who are all focused on elevating the athlete’s performance and increasing their success rate. The same applies in modern finance: craft matters, but so does connection.
Leaders should build feedback loops, champion small wins and invest in tech that enables people to focus on what they’re best at as well as finance systems that allow for visibility across the board.  

5. Mindset shapes experience

In hybrid or remote-first environments, it’s easy to fall into reactive mode. But real growth – in sport or in the office – comes from intentional time to think, reset, and reconnect.
Gordon recommended The Courage to Be Disliked, a powerful read on self-awareness and mindset shifts. It’s a reminder that better experiences often start with better thinking - ,not bigger goals.

This is just the beginning...

Our partnership with Triathlon Ireland is about more than inspiration. It aims to better experiences for finance professionals who want to work smarter, grow continuously and perform at their peak.

Keep an eye out for more insights, conversations and practical tools to help you build a finance function that’s fit for the future.

Because better experiences don’t just happen. They’re built - intentionally.

Missed the webinar?

Catch the full session with Gordon Crawford, performance director at Triathlon Ireland, and hear firsthand how a high-performance mindset can reshape the way you work.

🎥 Watch the webinar: https://accountsiq.wistia.com/medias/rj0ts4qg27

Why faster doesn’t mean riskier: A new standard for accounting software implementation

Why faster doesn’t mean riskier: A new standard for accounting software implementation

This blog explores how finance teams can strike the right balance when it comes to implementing a new finance management system - moving quickly where it makes sense, and carefully where it matters most.

Blog Posts
5 min
Implementation

The old way: stress, setbacks and sleepless nights

If you’ve ever been part of a finance system implementation project, the word "fast" might make you wince. It conjures up memories of rushed onboarding calls, missing data, overworked teams and reporting deadlines that go up in flames. Speed used to mean risk. Haste meant cutting corners. And cutting corners meant costly mistakes.  

On the other hand, traditional implementations can take months - draining budgets and leaving teams stranded with even more fragmented systems. With both of these scenarios obviously not ideal, it’s no surprise that implementation often sparks anxiety.

The truth is, both extremes - too fast and too slow - can create risk. One leads to overwhelm, the other to inertia and drained resources. A successful, stress-free implementation should balance urgency with intentionality moving quickly where it makes sense, and carefully where it matters most. Asking the right questions and choosing a provider with standout support is critical.

So how do you move fast without losing control - or avoid delay without dragging out the pain for your finance team?

A new standard: fast, thoughtful and fit for purpose

Fast implementation can and should mean smart implementation - provided you have the right team, and a platform that understands the needs of your finance department.

AccountsIQ has helped hundreds of mid-market companies go live in as little as 4–6 weeks. This isn’t about skipping steps. It’s about using intelligent design, automation, and expert onboarding to accelerate the journey without losing control.

And while long timelines might feel safer, they often create more risk: delays drain resources, stall transformation, and sap momentum across the business.

According to our CFO Mindset report, 72% of finance leaders say implementation timelines are a key barrier to switching systems.

What sets successful finance teams apart isn’t just their choice of tech - it’s also their mindset around change. Many have been shaped by messy, all-consuming implementation experiences that made them wary of moving fast again.


Imagine this: a better start for your finance team

Now picture the opposite of a painful rollout:

  • You’re not juggling six different spreadsheets just to get started.
  • Your chart of accounts, BI codes, and approval flows are configured before go-live.
  • Your reporting pack is ready in minutes, not weeks.

This is what AccountsIQ users experience every week - and it’s helping finance teams win back time, reduce stress and get back to high-impact work.

This isn’t a rushed approach. It’s grounded in planning, support and smart sequencing that is tailored to each business and the needs of its finance department.  


Better balance begins with better onboarding

Fast onboarding isn’t about pushing finance teams harder. It’s about doing the hard thinking for them.

AccountsIQ’s approach focuses on:

  • Phased onboarding: core financials first, then consolidation, automation and reporting layers
  • Human support + digital training: every client gets a named onboarding consultant and full access to AIQ Academy
  • Fit-for-now, ready-for-growth: the system is tailored to your current processes but scalable to your future structure

By embedding structure and clarity into every step, we make fast feel calm—and change feel manageable.


A better standard for the mid-market

There’s a reason why more mid-market finance teams are leaving behind legacy systems and drawn-out rollouts. They want a partner that understands the pace of business today - and a platform that supports it.

At AccountsIQ, we know that implementations should be stress-free and seamless - giving finance teams the confidence to hit the ground running.

Because faster doesn’t have to mean riskier. And slower doesn’t always mean safer.
It’s time for a better, balanced approach to finance transformation.


Want to learn more?

Explore how AccountsIQ helps teams like yours go live with confidence - and stay ahead.
Learn more about our onboarding approach.

Empower your finance team with resources tailored for CFOs, Financial Controllers, and Finance Directors. Our 100% cloud-based software integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, combining essential accounting tools with advanced automation and intelligence. Whether you're in tech, financial services, charity, renewables, or any other industry requiring sophisticated financial management, AccountsIQ delivers the insights you need to streamline processes, achieve real-time visibility and simplify consolidation and reporting. Equip your team with the knowledge to elevate your finance function and drive strategic growth.

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