Data Analytics Services in Accounting with Chris Argent

Episode 98. In today's interview, "Data and Finance Analytics Services with Chris Argent." Chris Argent is Managing Director and Founder of Generation CFO. Frustrated by poor systems, poor reporting and lack of time to work within the finance industry, in 2009, Chris Argent set up a LinkedIn group looking for technology-minded accountants and finance professionals to help him out. After moving from SME CFO to Enterprise Finance Transformation Lead, Chris experienced advanced technology being used first-hand and saw massive potential. The demand for digital transformation and strategic finance business partnering continued to grow, with pressure on CFOs to create a more data-rich, digital finance function. Chris started to add content posted on his LinkedIn group onto his blog, Generation CFO. The aim was to bring digital native innovators in accounting together with the senior finance leadership change makers. He saw the need for a unifying framework that could bring together traditional accounting and finance and the new data-enabled digital finance function. So, he developed the Digital Finance Function Model (DFFM), initiated events, podcasts and networking meetups to establish GenerationCFO.com as the go-to platform. Today, Generation CFO is a community of over 100,000 members – and growing rapidly. We produce experiences, content and thought-leadership interviews on The Shift. By keeping accounting and finance professionals at the cutting-edge of finance function, we are creating heroes of the current and next generation. Key takeaways from this episode include: ➤ the importance of championing the finance leadership teams in industry ➤ why the accounting profession is in good shape despite the huge amount of change taking place ➤ why data and finance analytics are such vital areas for accounting advisors ➤ the biggest challenges for accountants wanting to offer their clients data analytics services ➤ the problems for accountancy advisors in controlling data as an asset which means they miss out on revenue opportunities ➤ what makes accountancy a creative role in providing information to clients that helps them make better decisions ➤ the science around data visualisation when it comes to analytics got accountants and finance professionals ➤ the biggest trends associated with data analytics in accounting and finance ➤ how accountants can stay on top of all the apps and innovations in data analytics ➤ why the billable hour doesn't really work for accountants when it comes to data analytics ➤ the value of real time data that cloud and technology brings to accounting advisors and their clients ➤ how security is one of the blockers in data management for accountants charged with assessing risk ➤ what is coming up for accountants and CPAs in the area of data and finance analytics ➤ words of encouragement to accountants fighting for relevance and mindshare in today's competitive marketplace NOTE TO LISTENERS: The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes. Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen. Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world. Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up. Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode...