By Ben Taylor
When designing accounting software, communication is a major factor, and it is no less true when it comes to its implementation.
I remember when we first brought SoftLedger to market as two people, it made for a very tight feedback loop. Requirements could very easily be distilled from end-user requirements and converted into code. But as soon as even a few more people entered the process, additional steps needed to be taken to ensure we could scale that feedback loop, which was significantly more challenging than we had anticipated.
What I didn’t appreciate until more recently is that many of the same communication challenges apply to corporate accounting technology implementations as well.
Ensuring smooth financial data communication
Your clients need to ensure critical finance and accounting information gets clearly understood across teams, no matter how specialized or diverse they become. This challenge is amplified as they grow. And while careful planning and change management can solve many issues, communication remains a fundamental hurdle.
When introducing accounting technology, businesses quickly discover it’s not enough to just choose the right tools. The bigger problem usually revolves around ensuring specialized knowledge is clearly communicated and understood across the organization.
Stakeholders in accounting, legal, technology, and operations often speak very different languages, using terminology and priorities unique to their roles. This can result in misunderstandings, inefficiencies, and even costly errors.
To tackle this, organizations must find people who excel at translating across disciplines. These aren’t simply messengers; they’re interpreters who grasp the nuances of accounting principles, software capabilities, and compliance requirements, making sure critical details don’t get lost in translation. Without these key players, accounting tech implementations risk becoming fragmented and misaligned, much like playing a game of telephone—where each step away from the original source dilutes accuracy.
Strategy versus technical accuracy
Another major challenge is balancing strategic goals with technical details. It’s easy for technology teams to dive deep into coding complexities and system functionalities while losing sight of the bigger business picture. At the same time, accounting teams might become overly fixated on reporting and compliance details without considering how their work integrates into broader strategic goals. This disconnect can derail projects, leaving organizations with technically correct but practically ineffective solutions.
The key to overcoming this is continuous alignment between strategy and execution. Effective teams keep high-level objectives clear and visible at all times, consistently reminding everyone involved why the initiative matters. Whether through regular meetings, dashboards, or project management tools, successful communication strategies constantly reconnect the dots between detailed technical work and overarching business goals.
Scaling communication
Another major communication challenge arises as organizations scale. What worked in small teams—informal, quick chats, or occasional meetings—breaks down rapidly at scale. In larger companies, the volume of specialized knowledge increases dramatically, and communication channels quickly become overwhelmed or too rigid to be effective. The solution lies in finding a balance between structured communication methods and the flexibility needed for agile decision-making.
Companies need clear yet adaptable communication protocols. Regular check-ins, centralized repositories of shared knowledge, and accessible documentation can all help to alleviate these communication challenges. These approaches help ensure transparency and alignment without creating bureaucratic bottlenecks. This is especially crucial in accounting, where accuracy and accountability are paramount but speed and responsiveness remain essential.
Lastly, growing specialization within companies further complicates the communication landscape. As organizations scale, employees become more narrowly focused on their specific roles, leading to isolated teams that speak their own internal languages. Without clear communication bridging these divides, collaboration suffers and initiatives stagnate.
Conclusion
Addressing these challenges requires intentionally building bridges between teams, creating shared understanding through regular touchpoints, and promoting cross-functional collaboration. These efforts ensure that detailed knowledge remains accessible and that each team understands how their work contributes to the larger goal.
Ultimately, the success of any accounting technology initiative relies heavily on solving these communication issues. By investing in strong communicators who can translate complex information, continuously aligning strategic objectives with technical execution, scaling communication thoughtfully, and ensuring regulatory involvement, businesses can confidently deploy accounting solutions that not only work but provide lasting value.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ben Taylor is CEO of SoftLedger, a cloud accounting platform designed for multi-entity companies that delivers consolidated financial data in real time.
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