Q&A with Alastair Barlow

Next up in our series of speaker Q&As is Alastair Barlow, the founding partner of flinder. We spoke to him ahead of his session How to be a Kick-Ass CFO – all about using data to improve your month-end reporting – to find out his thoughts about the industry and what we can expect from him at this year’s event.

How did you get into the profession?

I originally wanted to be an actuary (exciting eh) and was studying maths at University. I really struggled to see the relevance in the real world and so rather than changing courses, I applied to some local accounting firms and was offered an apprenticeship at one of them. I took the opportunity and subsequently left university to start my career!

That was an incredible grounding in accounting. I stayed at that firm for about two years and then jumped to PwC for a better overall study package where I stayed for 16 years before starting flinder.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Building and growing a very young firm I have lots of challenges – while we have a very clear vision and strategy, there are things we are still developing as we go; Rome wasn’t built in a day! I would say the most challenging is balancing capacity and recruitment. We’re a self-funded business so monitoring when we can bring on new employees is hugely important to ensure we don’t stifle growth.

And the most rewarding?

The pure joy of doing what I love; growing my own business, helping others to grow theirs, developing our team and creating an awesome place to work. Ultimately, we feel like we’re making a difference to people’s lives and the economy. That’s amazingly satisfying!

What do you see as key trends for the accounting sector in the coming year?

In terms of technology, data – a powerful commodity if you master it! An ever increasing importance of data for performance management and developing specialist data teams. And also Robotic Process Automation leading to Intelligent Automation and AI.

With regards to people and experience, deepening client relationships to become more embedded, enriching the client experience and more like business partners. Accounting firms and SMEs are significantly lagging behind large businesses here.

What do you love most about the accounting industry?

It’s the absolute backbone to business! However, I think the accounting profession is very misunderstood by the outside world. At flinder, we’re on a mission to change that.

What one person or business in the accounting industry do you really admire and why?

I think there are some great businesses, great leaders and great suppliers in the accounting industry. However, the one person I admire most in the profession has to be my business partner, Luke Streeter, which is the reason we are in business with one another! He shares the same vision, values and continually helps to push the envelope on what accounting and consulting is, means to clients and how we deliver it. There is no other person I would rather be in business with!

What’s on the horizon for you and the accounting sector?

For flinder, it’s all about controlled growth whilst maintaining our unique culture. For the accounting sector, I see data, robotics and culture as hugely important. From a client’s perspective though this is all about driving performance improvements and a greater emphasis on business partnering.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the profession?

Lap up and learn all you can but at the same time always challenge the status quo – we encourage all our team to continually question how things are done and if there is a better way. Also, get in touch with flinder if you want an awesome experience!

How important is Accountex Summit North to you and the sector?

Believe it or not, last year was the first time I attended Accountex. Before that, I had never even heard of it! When I attended I felt like a kid in a candy store and really revelled in the experience – I attended both days and took a lot from it. It’s great for networking, hearing from experts in the profession and what is going on from technology and other suppliers.

What do you want visitors to take away from your session?

To challenge the status quo in their finance function, to open their eyes as to what is possible by working smarter through technology and data and to enrich their management reporting through integrations, stakeholder involvement and ultimately look awesome for their CEO (and maybe get home earlier at month end ).