Episode 67

Gary Turner's Exit from Xero & What It Means for Accountants and Vendors

Episode 67. In today's news episode, podcast hosts Martin Bissett and Rob Brown discuss the legacy of Gary Turner after leaving Xero and what it might mean for other software and tech vendors.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➤ What the rapid rate of growth for general ledger vendors Xero means for other software companies

➤ From £56K revenue in 2009 to £5.4m in 2014 to £43.1m in 2018 to £118m in 2021 so will the new CEO be expected to continue that growth?

➤ What might general ledger software do for clients that accountants are currently doing?

➤ The fears for accountants who do not innovate to keep up with the automation threat from technology

➤ What might accounting clients be buying from their professional advisors in 10-15 years?

➤ What Gary Turner's major strength was in building Xero so successfully

➤ Why the market for general ledger software for accounting firms and businesses is only going in one direction

➤ How the 'innovate or die' message may not apply to some accountancy practices who still thrive on compliance work

➤ How technology should be giving accountants the stats and data they need to drive further value for their clients

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

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.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 7000+ listeners in 144 countries around the world. If you like the show, leave a review wherever you listen, and please recommend the show to your friends and colleagues.

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About the Podcast

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Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.

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About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown is the founder and host of the Accounting Voices Podcast, the flagship solo show of the Accounting Voices Network. Each episode offers sharp analysis and commentary on the trends, ideas and people shaping the global accounting profession.

Through this Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob helps accounting firm leaders, decision makers and professionals stay relevant and make sense of disruption in areas like AI, automation, M&A, private equity and soft skills beyond the tech. His perspective blends clarity, insight and curiosity, making complex issues relevant and practical for professionals and decision makers across accounting and finance.

He also leads two monthly panel shows, Accounting M&A and Accounting AI, which bring together senior voices to explore consolidation, strategy and the impact of technology on firms and people.

Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and a TEDx speaker whose talk The Personal Brand of You has more than 400,000 views. Over his career he has hosted and moderated more than 1,000 conversations with accounting and fintech leaders worldwide.

Based in Nottingham UK, Rob is a stroke survivor living with epilepsy, a black belt in kickboxing, a decent chess player and an average player of four musical instruments.