Welcome to the Journey blog, where we share all things accounting tech growth.
Dive into our latest articles to discover how to understand accountants better, execute marketing plans swiftly, and unlock scalable growth for your business.
Journey announces a strategic partnership with Adfin, an accounts receivable & payments platform designed to help businesses get paid: faster, cheaper, easier.
Journey announces a strategic partnership with Adfin, an accounts receivable & payments platform designed to help businesses get paid: faster, cheaper, easier.
Journey, the leading go-to-market (GTM) agency for accounting technology, announces a strategic partnership with Adfin, an accounts receivable & payments platform designed to help businesses get paid: faster, cheaper, easier. This partnership will help to launch Adfin’s platform to the market, available for use both by accounting & bookkeeping firms, and their clients.
Getting paid isn’t easy. Late payments, high payment fees, and fragmented systems mean that managing & chasing payments is a time-consuming and expensive exercise for many professional service businesses. Adfin plans to tackle this challenge by providing a single platform containing automated invoice sending, chasing, and reconciling, along with a world-class payment experience consisting of direct debits, card, and open banking payments, providing a complete solution for businesses to manage payments efficiently.
All of this is supported with a simple, no-nonsense, transparent pricing model. No tiers, no monthly fees, just a flat rate that will only ever come down. Read about Adfin’s ‘Transparency Manifesto’ here.
“We’ve been working with Adfin on some early product feedback and all of the signals suggest there is a strong need for this, both with accounting & bookkeeping firms directly and their clients’ businesses,” said Jordan Vickery, Global Director and Head of EMEA at Journey. “It’s an exciting product combining fragmented payment methods together into a single platform with some intelligent workflows for chasing and failed payment options. We’re excited to partner with them on their journey”
Tom Pope, Co-Founder at Adfin, added, “Partnering with Journey is a significant step in expanding our reach and impact within the industry. Their extensive experience and deep understanding of the accounting-tech market will be invaluable.”
Key features of Adfin include:
You can learn more about Adfin and get started here.
Journey has entered a multi-year partnership with ACCA UK. This collaboration will focus on two key initiatives aimed at enhancing professional growth.
New collaboration to deliver national roadshows and member benefits focused on the future of accounting tech.
Journey, the leading GTM agency for accounting-tech, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with leading global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. This multi-year partnership will see Journey become an events partner for ACCA UK, organising national roadshows and providing exclusive member benefits through access to innovative software solutions.
Journey, renowned for its expertise in go-to-market strategies for accounting technology, has entered a multi-year partnership with ACCA UK. This collaboration will focus on two key initiatives aimed at enhancing the professional growth and technological advancement of ACCA UK members.
The first initiative involves Journey taking on the role of an events partner for ACCA. This partnership will kick off with the 'Accounting Futures' roadshow in October, which will tour six locations across the UK. The roadshow will feature industry experts discussing critical themes such as People, Process, Technology, and Sustainability. Attendees will gain valuable insights and learn directly from peers about solving the challenges of today whilst preparing for the future of tomorrow.
"We are thrilled to partner with ACCA UK on these national roadshows," said Jordan Vickery, Global Director & Head of EMEA at Journey. "Our goal is to provide ACCA members with unique opportunities to engage with industry leaders, explore new technology, and equip themselves with the knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of accounting."
In addition to the events, Journey will collaborate with ACCA UK to offer exclusive member benefits. By leveraging its portfolio of innovative software vendors, Journey aims to provide ACCA UK members with access to the latest technological advancements designed to support their firms and clients effectively.
"Partnering with Journey allows us to deliver significant value to our members," said Mark Jackson, Partnership Development Manager at ACCA UK. "The combination of expert-led events and cutting-edge technology solutions will empower our members to stay ahead in the dynamic field of accounting."
Last year's roadshow organised by Journey attracted over 500 ACCA members from various UK locations, demonstrating the strong interest and demand for such initiatives. This new partnership aims to build on that success and further support ACCA members in their professional journey.
About Journey
Journey is the leading GTM agency for accounting tech globally. SaaS leaders work with Journey to accelerate revenue growth, scale brand awareness and eliminate wasteful spend using 30+ years of proven playbooks, industry knowledge and global connections.
Journey have been announced as the marketing partner to help launch Tax Torch in order to revolutionise real-time tax planning for accounting professionals.
London, UK, [10th July]: Journey, the leading go-to-market (GTM) agency for accounting-tech, is proud to announce its partnership with Tax Torch, a real-time and proactive personal tax planning product set to launch in September/October 2024. This partnership aims to provide accounting professionals with new tools to deliver personal tax planning at scale.
Tax Torch offers a suite of features designed to simplify and enhance the tax planning process, allowing accountants to deliver proactive advice and real-time updates to their clients. This innovative product is expected to set a new standard in the industry, helping firms & their clients to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving financial landscape.
"Journey is excited to support Tax Torch in their mission to transform tax planning," said Jordan Vickery, Global Director & Head of EMEA at Journey. "Our experience with over 20 vendors across the UK, Australia, and the United States positions us perfectly to help drive the success of this innovative product in the accounting channel."
Robert Davidson, Co-Founder of Tax Torch, added, "Partnering with Journey ensures that our product reaches the right audience and achieves its full potential. Their expertise in the accounting-tech market is invaluable as we prepare for our launch."
About Journey
Journey is the leading GTM agency for accounting tech globally. SaaS leaders work with Journey to accelerate revenue growth, scale brand awareness and eliminate wasteful spend using 30+ years of proven playbooks, industry knowledge and global connections.
About Tax Torch
Tax Torch is a new cloud-based personal tax planning product, combining an individual's personal income, business performance and goals. Tax Torch aims to create consistency and value while lowering the barriers of entry and making easy tax planning available to all.
Journey teams up with Digital Accountancy Show to enhance event growth and exhibitor engagement.
Journey, the leading go-to-market (GTM) agency specialising in accounting technology, is excited to announce a strategic marketing partnership with the Digital Accountancy Show. This collaboration aims to drive attendee growth for the show and offer exclusive support packages to exhibitors, to ensure they maximise their ROI.
The Digital Accountancy Show, now heading into its fifth year after four consecutive sell-out shows, is poised to continue its growth as a staple part of the UK accounting events calendar, with Journey acting as its marketing engine.
As well as handling all aspects of marketing for the show, Journey will also be supporting the show's 100+ exhibitors with exclusive support packages, including product messaging, stand design, pre-show communications, and follow-up strategies.
"Having worked with Dan and the team in a consulting capacity for 4 years as their Head of Content, it makes complete sense for Journey and our incredible agency team to step in to support the show's ambitious growth targets and plans for 2025” said Jordan Vickery, Global Director and Head of EMEA at Journey. "With our experience supporting 20+ vendors globally with their GTM, we’re also in a great position to be able to support the show's exhibitors to ensure they maximise their value from the event with clear positioning, marketing, and exhibition design"
Dan Cockerton, Founder of the Digital Accountancy Show, added, "Journey's proven track record in the accounting tech space makes them the perfect partner for us. Their approach and deep understanding of our profession will undoubtedly help us take the show to new heights in 2025."
You can learn more about the packages available for exhibitors here.
About Journey
Journey is the leading GTM agency for accounting tech globally. SaaS leaders work with Journey to accelerate revenue growth, scale brand awareness and eliminate wasteful spend using 30+ years of proven playbooks, industry knowledge and global connections.
About Digital Accountancy Show
The Digital Accountancy Show is your front row seat to the future of accounting & finance. Join them on the 1st and 2nd April 2025 in London to join 4000+ of your peers at the leading technology conference like no other.
How do we revamp Australian accounting events for maximum impact, and how did we get here?
Australian accounting events are in a dire state. I'm not here to highlight the problems; I'm here to advocate for real change.
The current landscape is bleak – events are becoming increasingly stale, un-engaging, and frankly, a complete waste of time and resources.
Vendors are pouring money into events that accountants and bookkeepers simply don't want to attend. More concerning is the trend of every vendor wanting to host their own event next year. I've heard this sentiment echoed at least nine times in the last three months alone. This is a recipe for disaster – a proliferation of micro-events all vying for the attention of the same audience, leading to even more poorly attended gatherings.
The content being served up is underwhelming at best, often feeling like a rehashed webinar from the week prior. Like many of you, I'm utterly fed up with the same old talks and lacklustre networking opportunities.
So, what's the solution? Here are a few thoughts on how conference organisers can truly shake things up:
We need real, actionable content. No more theoretical fluff. Give us the nitty-gritty details on how to navigate significant changes within a firm, such as exiting a partner, buying into a firm, or flipping 3,000 clients to the cloud. Show us the step-by-step process, the challenges faced, and how they were overcome. Don't just tell us the grass is greener; show us how to tend to the soil.
It's time to rethink networking. We need curated meetups with purpose, not just awkward gatherings with a limited bar tab.
Create environments where meaningful conversations can happen, and ensure there's a fun element too. Accountants and bookkeepers want to enjoy themselves, not shout over a dated rock band or play pin the tail on the idiot.
Attendees should leave with practical skills they can immediately apply. Workshops should cover mastering accounting tech usage, effective client communication strategies, and navigating complex regulatory changes. Real skills for real-world application are what's needed.
The frustration from both vendors and professionals is palpable. Conference organisers have the budget and capability, yet often seem out of touch or too focused on who's paying for stage time. I understand it's a business, but it's high time for a change. The heavily discounted stands I've seen recently are a clear indicator that it's time to either step up or step out.
We're at a tipping point. It's time to transform these events from snooze-fests into valuable, engaging experiences that truly add value to our professional lives. Let's not settle for mediocrity. It's time for a revolution in Australian accounting events.
Following this call to action, a question has been circulating:
"Trent, I hear you're running your own accounting events this year. Is that true?"
Let me address this directly:
No, I'm not.
At this point in time, I'm not remotely interested.
If last year I vocalised how dire the state of accounting events is in Australia (and some of you mentioned abroad as well), then it stands to reason that adding more events into the mix is not the solution we need.
So, no.
Not right now. The last thing I want to do is add the wrong fuel to this already blazing fire.
What we need is a reset, which, in my opinion, means fewer events, not more. A few of these large-scale events will need to fail and exit the scene first. We need to let the dust settle, focus on our businesses, our client work, and perhaps then we'll be ready for something new.
The draw card for future events should not just be innovative content. The need for community, fun, and bringing people together will likely be a bigger attraction. Building connections and shared learning experiences with your crew holds more value than a big-box event with 100 talks, where 70% come with a sales pitch disclaimer.
So, if you've been wondering what my stance is on the future of accounting events, there you have it. Now you know.
The path forward should be about quality, not quantity. We need to create spaces where real learning, meaningful connections, and genuine enjoyment are the priorities. Let's focus on making the few events we do have count, rather than flooding the calendar with more of the same. It's time for a change, and it starts with us demanding more from the events we choose to invest our time and resources in.
Simplify your SaaS pricing for clarity and growth. Break free from complexity. Your customers deserve transparency.
If your client can't figure out how much your SaaS app will cost them in the next 5-10 seconds, we've got a problem. Okay, okay, I'm not really mad. I still love you. But let's be real, pricing for your SaaS needs to be as simple as ABC for everyone involved - prospects, leads, and your loyal customers.
Just yesterday, I found myself tangled in two separate conversations about pricing. Despite our best intentions, we often end up in the same predicament. It seems we're caught between a rock and a hard place, trying to extract maximum value or making it easy for clients to scale with our solution. Ironically, figuring out the price turns out to be the hardest part.
Here's the thing - customers don't lose sleep over the mechanics of your pricing. What keeps them up at night is wondering:
- How much is this going to cost me every month?
- How does this fit into my budget?
- Does the cost justify the value I'm expecting to receive?
- Is this price set in stone, or should I expect some surprises?
If your client is scratching their head trying to work out your pricing, you're already on the back foot. They're not pondering whether to buy; they're stuck on "how much does this thing cost?"
So, what's the fix? I won't sugarcoat it - pricing is a beast.
You've got a ballpark figure of what you want to make. You've got estimates on product usage. So, draw a line in the sand and present a three-tier package: small usage + users, medium + advanced functionality, and large + custom options.
Aim to place your desired average monthly recurring revenue (MRR) at either the entry-level or the middle tier, then upsell the rest. Granted, this advice is pretty broad and might not fit everyone's bill. And if it doesn't work for you?
Well, that's not my problem. 😂
But if you're constantly getting feedback that your pricing model is as clear as mud, it's time for a rethink. Yes, simplifying your pricing is tough. But right now, you're making it tough for your customers or potential customers. We need to shift the burden from them to us.
And you know what? That's perfectly fine. You're resilient. You're capable. You'll crack this nut. So, here's to making things simpler. For everyone.
Transparency is key. Your pricing structure shouldn't be a puzzle that clients need to solve. It should be straightforward, allowing them to quickly assess the value of your product against its cost. This clarity not only enhances the customer experience but also builds trust. When clients feel confident in understanding what they're paying for, they're more likely to invest in your product.
Moreover, consider the psychological aspect of decision-making.
A complex pricing model can lead to decision fatigue, where too many options or unclear costs lead to indecision or avoidance. Simplifying your pricing not only aids in quicker decision-making but also reduces the cognitive load on your clients, making them more inclined to proceed with a purchase.
So, take a hard look at your pricing model.
Is it as clear as daylight? Does it facilitate or hinder your sales process?
Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for your clients to say "yes." By demystifying your pricing, you're not just easing their decision-making process; you're also setting the stage for a smoother customer journey and, ultimately, fostering long-term relationships.
Happy hunting, and good luck. Remember, keep it simple, idiot!
Discover key GTM insights from Journey's 2023 success with global Accounting SaaS vendors.
In 2023 we worked with more than 20 vendors. We helped them to execute their GTM strategy in the accounting industry here in Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa and North America.
Over the last 12 months I saw a lot of things that worked really well. And I saw a lot of things that made me want to bang my head against the wall until the pain went away.
At Journey, we've had a big year of experimentation and strategy refinement.
Today I’m breaking down my key takeaways from 2023 on what worked well for the Accounting SaaS community, or at least for the vendors we were working with.
My goal here, whether you work with Journey or not, is to help you think through all the areas of your GTM strategy, what are you gaps, what is your opportunity and what are you digging into in Q1 of 2024 to get back on track.
Let’s break it down.
It's startling how many businesses overlook this.
Last year, we went the extra mile by asking our clients' customers about their product usage, the problems it solves, and their overall experience.
Our approach was comprehensive. We conducted detailed interviews and surveys, asking pointed questions about how they use our clients' products, the specific problems these products solve, and their overall experience.
This wasn't a superficial exercise; we delved into the nuances of their responses, seeking to understand not just the 'what' but the 'why' behind their usage.
The insights gained from this exercise were eye-opening. We learned that what we thought were the key features of a product weren't always aligned with the customer's perspective.
In some cases, features we considered minor were actually making a significant impact on the customers' day-to-day operations. This revelation was a game-changer in how we approached messaging and positioning for our clients.
You absolutely need to start the year by doing customer research. Write it down.
We offer this as a service and would be more then happy to show you through how we were able to capture over 400 pieces of product feedback in the past few months for our clients.
How often are you engaging with your prospects?
Relying on a single channel for marketing is a strategy that will likely fail. It's important to keep a mix of activities – both big and small – to maintain a healthy and consistent funnel.
Social media alone won't cut it, email marketing alone doesn't cut it, that FaceBook group that had 7 people tag your solution alone doesn't cut it.
The magic happens when these channels work together.
Imagine a potential customer seeing your brand on social media, then receiving a well-crafted email that addresses their specific needs, followed by an invitation to an exclusive webinar.
This approach creates multiple touchpoints, each reinforcing the other, and keeps your brand top-of-mind for prospects. The same happens when you start partnering with other brands that operate in the same channel.
Moreover, this strategy allows for flexibility and adaptability.
Different segments of your audience might prefer different channels, and a multi-channel approach lets you cater to these preferences.
It also enables you to test and learn which combinations of channels and content types work best for different audience segments.
This is a core offering at Journey. This is the majority of work we are rolling out and implementing for our clients at the moment.
The effectiveness of your sales team hinges on their structure and discipline.
We've seen the best results when roles are clearly defined – for instance, separating the responsibilities of SDRs (Sales Development Representatives) and BDMs (Business Development Managers).
Having someone do both the SDR work and BDM work, as in, all the call and all the demos will be ineffective, compared to 2 people splitting the work and focusing on just making calls and/or just doing demos.
This specialisation allows each team member to focus and excel in their area, significantly improving efficiency and deal closures.
Keep it simple and the results will flow. I do a lot of consulting on sales functions and getting this process right.
We’ve seen amazing results with some clients seeing a 206% lift in revenue in 2023 alone after we made changes to their sales and marketing flow.
Customer engagement methods are evolving rapidly.
We've embraced webinars, interactive demos, and other innovative interaction methods to keep our engagements memorable and accessible.
Webinars, for instance, offer a platform not just for education but for prospect interaction.
They allow you to delve into key themes and topics, showcase your expertise, and most importantly, engage in real-time with your audience.
Similarly, interactive website demos have transformed from standard presentations to dynamic, tailored experiences where prospects can see firsthand how your solutions can solve their specific problems straight on the website, before they’ve even spoken to anyone.
Integrating these interactions with your CRM can provide invaluable insights and streamline your sales processes.
We implemented a number of interactive demo’s last year and the results were crazy, in the first month alone, a brand new solution we helped launch had 400 interactions inside the first 30 days, before converting roughly 20% - without even speaking to the on the phone.
A critical yet often neglected aspect is the handover between marketing, sales, and customer success teams.
This transition should be smooth and well-coordinated, with each team understanding their role in the customer journey. Automating these handovers in your CRM can prevent manual errors and ensure a seamless experience.
By automating the process, you eliminate the risk of human error – no more missed emails or forgotten follow-ups.
This automation ensures that every piece of critical information is captured and made available to the right team at the right time.
Furthermore, it allows for a smoother transition of the customer through different phases of their journey, from initial engagement with marketing to sales negotiation, and finally to ongoing support from the customer success team.
Last year, I encountered too many SaaS vendors struggling with disconnected systems. A cohesive CRM system is non-negotiable.
It should be the central hub where your sales and marketing efforts converge and should be well-integrated with your website and other tools.
We’re officially Hubspot implementation partners. This is our weapon of choice but we play nice with all systems. We find Hubspot does an amazing job of bringing visibility and cohesion in your GTM team.
These insights are more than just observations; they are the foundation of a robust GTM strategy.
If your current GTM strategy doesn't align with these points, it's time for a change.
At Journey, we specialise in crafting and refining these strategies to help you scale your sales and marketing efforts.
If you're looking to enhance your approach in 2024, let's have a conversation.
This is what we do
Journey partners with Translucent, transforming Xero into a top-tier multi-entity solution, leveraging our growth marketing expertise.
Translucent, the software that turns Xero into a multi-entity accounting solution, has chosen Journey, the growth marketing agency for accounting-tech, as a global partner.
Translucent turns your existing accounting software into a multi-entity accounting solution. Translucent consolidates accounting data to create a single source of truth and gives you all the multi-entity apps you need – including Group Reporting, Intercompany, Bank Consolidation, Multi-Entity Search and Live Sheets.
Translucent was founded by Michael Wood (Co-Founder Receipt Bank, aka Dext) and is backed by prominent names from the accounting industry including Craig Walker (Co-Founder Xero & Former CTO), Gary Turner (Former MD of Xero EMEA), Guy Pearson (Co-Founder Ignition) and Jamie McDonald (Co-Founder Hubdoc).
Journey will play a central role in launching Translucent across international markets. With its deep expertise in the SaaS and accounting tech sectors, Journey has already helped launch XBert as a household name with 206% revenue growth, while client Dashboard Insights recently won “Practice App of the Year” at the Xero Awards in Australia.
“I’ve experienced first-hand the problems that multi-entity businesses face so I am delighted to be able to bring to market a one-stop-solution for multi-entity businesses. Given Journey’s expertise and experience they were the natural partners to help us shape and supercharge our ambitious growth plans.” says Michael Wood, CEO and Founder at Translucent.
Trent McLaren and Jordan Vickery of Journey will also serve as brand ambassadors for Translucent, leveraging their extensive industry experience and networks to promote Translucent's innovative solutions and expand its global presence.
“Translucent has the potential to be a true game changer in the world of financial software – this is very much not ‘just another app’. We believe that for many teams it will soon be ‘the’ app,” adds Trent McLaren, Director at Journey.
About Translucent
Translucent turns your existing accounting software into a multi-entity accounting solution.
Founded by CEO Michael Wood, who had previously co-founded Dext, (formerly Receipt Bank). Launched in 2022, London-based Translucent has to-date raised £7.7M from LocalGlobe, Chalfen Ventures and angel investors, including Gary Turner and Craig Walker (both from Xero), as well as founders from fintech and accounting tech leaders including GoCardless, Jeeves, Karbon, Libeo, ComplyAdvantage, Ignition, Hubdoc and KashFlow.
About Journey
Journey, a pioneering growth agency, specialises in unlocking and scaling revenue streams for accounting technology companies across the globe.
Established by industry veterans Trent Mclaren, Liss McLaren and Jordan Vickery, the agency brings over 30 years of combined expertise in the accounting tech sector to the table. Journey functions as an extension of your team, acting as the in-house growth marketing arm for accounting tech companies. Their mission is to not only boost revenue but also to forge enduring brands, making a worldwide impact in the accounting industry.
A complete transformation that mirrors the disruptive spirit of our accounting tech clients
Rebrands can be such a bore! Wow, you changed your logo and chose a slightly different corporate blue pantone for your website – *slow hand clap* Well done you! But every now and then, a rebrand comes along that does it RIGHT. A rethink that’s not just a cosmetic airbrushing of the existing brand, but a complete rethink of the style, attitude and ethos of the brand.
Journey is launching its new brand with a bang. We’re the same cutting-edge growth marketing agency we always were – with a razor-sharp focus on the accounting technology market. But now we’re wearing new threads and walking a new walk.
Dive into www.letsjourney.io and see just why we stand out from the crowd, and how we’re more motivated than ever to help accounting tech startups become industry rock stars.
A rebrand isn’t about commissioning an expensive new logo. A good rebrand builds on previous successes by re-focusing the mission, vision and clarity of what your brand’s about. So, if you’re going to do more than just tick the usual boxes, you need a sharp focus on your customers.
Journey’s customers are accounting tech founders, disruptive innovators who’ve shaken up the industry. They spot a niche, develop never-before-seen technology and disrupt the market. It was only fitting to match that energy with the new Journey brand and to crank it up to 11.
Our new brand is all about blending the rebellion and disruptive spirit of these punk-rock innovators, with clear, no-nonsense visuals and content that tells it how it is.
We keep things simple, but we also fire up the energy and drive for growth that’s the lifeblood of any great accounting tech startup. The brand reflects the SaaS founder’s drive for independence and disruption. But we temper this with deep knowledge, incredible industry insights and content that truly brings a startup's story to life.
We infuse our content with the energy of a punk rock concert, where the audience feels the adrenaline, the passion, and the exhilaration of being part of a movement.
But we also dial down the volume, slip some yacht rock onto the stereo and bring things down to basics – setting the marketing foundations for solid, dependable growth and revenues.
Fire up the new rebranded site and see for yourself how Journey has changed.
Our mission is clear: Journey 2.0 is here to unleash scalable growth for accounting tech startups across the globe. We’ve got the knowledge of the industry, the tried-and-tested strategies, and a team who know the accounting industry like the back of their hand.
At Journey, we've cracked the code to scaling-up accounting tech apps. With 30+ years of combined industry leadership between us, we're here to help ambitious startups crank it up to 11 – from Seed to Series C and beyond.
What’s it like working with Journey? Our three-point approach is the engine room of our clients’ growth, helping them switch from organic growth to hyper-growth scale-up in the blink of an eye.
These three pillars are what delivers accounting tech growth:
1. We pull back the cover on your customers & product
2. Assemble your strategy & growth team
3. No-holds-barred execution and iteration
Just like all the best punk idols, we don’t hold back when talking about our skills. We’re a global team of accounting aficionados, who know this industry inside out. That knowledge, network and experience is what gives our accounting tech clients a gigantic competitive advantage.
Collectively, we’ve spent three decades scaling SaaS companies across Australasia, Europe and North America. Our team is made up of strategic leaders, growth marketers, creative designers, copywriters and bespoke services for turbocharging your growth.
Check out our About Us page to learn our story and meet the dream team.
The accounting tech industry has evolved at a stratospheric rate in the past decade. Journey is here to write the next chapter in the story, turning the cream of the accounting tech crop into industry superstars and driving the next wave in the accounting technology revolution.
Strap in. Get ready. Crank up the volume. We’re going on a Journey!