𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞

Software isn’t just about installing a shiny new system and hoping for the best — it’s about fixing broken processes and making businesses work better. And guess what? Accountants need to be part of that conversation.

When accountants, clients, and software implementers work together, great things happen. But when one of them ghosts the process, things go south—fast. Let’s talk about why this trio needs to work as a team, what happens when they don’t, and how to avoid a software disaster.

The Accountant-Client-Software Implementer Triangle

Think of software implementation like a three-legged stool. You’ve got:

✔ Accountants – Keeping the numbers clean, making sure the software plays nice with tax and reporting, advising on business growth and goals.

✔ Clients – The ones who actually use the software (or, at least, should be).

✔ Software Implementers – The guides who set everything up, train the team, and make sure it all works.

Now, if one leg is missing? The whole thing falls over. When this triangle works well, business processes improve, reporting gets easier, and advisory services become way more effective. But when someone disappears or plays the blame game, chaos follows.

When It Goes Wrong: The Client That Went Missing

Here’s a cautionary tale: The Case of the Vanishing Client.

It started off well—their accountant reached out to the implementer first, knowing the client needed a serious software upgrade. Good start, right? Except… the client was nowhere to be found. They were drowning in work, siloed in their leadership team, and simply had zero time (or interest) in learning new processes.

Instead of engaging in the project, they just threw their accountant in as a middleman—but without any real decision-making power. So what happened?

🚩 The accountant spent the whole time chasing the client for approvals.

🚩 The client didn’t understand the system (because they weren’t involved).

🚩 The new processes never properly took hold.

Long story short: the project failed. Not because the software wasn’t good, but because the client wouldn't or couldn't engage.

When It Goes Right: A Dream Team Collaboration

Now, let’s look at a software success story—because yes, they do exist!

This time, the client reached out first but immediately looped in their accountant from day one. They sat down together to talk through their pain points, particularly around multi-currency orders (a classic headache). The accountant flagged financial reporting concerns, the client explained their operational struggles, and they worked together with the implementer to find a solution that actually worked for both of them.

💡 The result?

✔ A software process that made the client’s life easier.

✔ Financial reporting that kept the accountant happy.

✔ An implementation where no one was overburdened.

This client? They’re using their system properly, their accountant stays in the loop, and everyone is still speaking to each other—a win all around!

How to Make Software Implementations Work

🚀 Accountants: Need to stay involved. If they’re left out, clients can end up with systems they don’t understand or doesn’t meet their financial goals.

🚀 Clients: Don’t check out. If you’re too busy to engage, your new system won’t fix anything—it’ll just create new problems.

🚀 Implementers: Should lead the process. If they don’t get clear direction from both the accountant and the client, the end result will be a mess.

🚀 Hit a roadblock? Reset. If the project is veering off track, take a step back. Reset boundaries, expectations, and even the Go Live date if needed. A delay is better than a disaster.

Final Thoughts: We’re All Human

Look, software projects are messy. People get busy. Miscommunication happens. But if everyone shows up, stays engaged, and actually listens to each other, the outcome is so much better.

A successful implementation isn’t just about tech—it’s about people, processes, and making sure the right voices are at the table. When accountants, clients, and implementers work together, businesses thrive.