The Dawn of a New Age for Finance

Happy New Year to one and all as we pass 1,300 Subscribers. Delighted with achieving that over a Christmas Period when only the hardy perennials known as Year End devotees are in the Office. Across all 7 Newsletters it tends to peak at 2K, which does create quite a substantial total readership. I only point this out as I met with one of my 'Guest Feature Writers' today and his contribution deserves a wide audience - keep your eyes peeled in January.

I hope you all had a great New Year and for those of us who are 'recovering Man Utd fans' it won't always be that bad. Talk of Relegation is premature and I expect young Amorin to steady the ship by the end of January. I was going to write this Article about Leadership and the critical importance of selecting the right leader for your Organisation but I am sure everybody is tired of Gary Neville, etc talking about that subject.

It also makes a far better Podcast Panel debate, with studs flying, so stay tuned for that one.

You may think I am wrong about Utd, but don't forget which of us forecast England would reach the Final of the Euros, arise Sir Gareth and that Man Utd would win the FA Cup so you just keep your powder dry for now. I'm more reliable then Paddy Power.

AI, AI, AI! Anyone tired of it yet? Tired of hearing it will change everything, that it must change Finance and that you are a luddite if you haven't worked it into your Program Roadmap, Benefits and let it arrange the after party, etc.

But we certainly are at the Dawn of a New Age, maybe even heading for Noon at a rate of knots that many may get bewildered by. I started as an Accountant back in the 90's, Utd were all conquering, England always lost on Penalties and the Labour Party ruled the roost. In Finance we were on that cusp, that thin edge of the wedge between Super Calc and Excel.

Excel is still rocking, Labour have crept back in and well, we won't mention the football. Many a Business Case has been predicated on the elimination of Excel, many a Project Manager (Non Finance) has bemoaned all these Spreadsheets and yet the Finance people, the Accountants, love them, will never part with them and put forth a wry smile at the merest hint of their departure.

I will have retired before every Accountant across the land has ditched Excel, has stood proudly at the Board Meeting and stated the numbers are solid, they are One Version of the Truth, after all.

I sit in the enviable, indeed fascinating, position of dealing with Clients from both ends of the Spectrum and I don't mean the Sinclair ZX, those who wish to explore and be on the cutting edge of technological advancement and those who just want 'it' to work.

What is it?

What else but the Period End process, the Management packs, the Budget process and the legendary End to End Purchase to Pay process. They don't care if we achieve this with Excel, AI or good old fashioned Leadership.

As we enter this new Dawn, it is an Age which will accelerate apace and that is frightening. However, if you don't understand Finance and what it is there to deliver in the first place, no amount of Tech will make up for it.

Oh you may think it will, you may scoff at my prediction, you may cry foul - Red Card Ref, the Tech can solve any problem. Yes, it may well do so and leave behind every Finance person in its wake. Striking that crucial balance between really knowing your Problem, appreciating the Tech and Marrying the 2 in a Union of perfect harmony, is what will define 2025.

Have a great Year folks and look out for the Guest Writers and the new Book.

Best Regards,

Michael Ryan