Is your accounting software more complicated than your business and, if so, what can you do about it?
We’re seeing more and more AI functionality being crammed into accounting software.
We’re also seeing a growing ecosystem of AI-based apps being trumpeted as the add-on your accounting software can’t live without.
But the question we keep asking is: are businesses actually getting better bookkeeping as a result?
Businesses do bookkeeping so they can measure and improve financial performance. That’s the primary objective.
A second-order objective is compliance such as VAT returns, year-end accounts and meeting other statutory requirements.
Anything in the software that gets in the way of these objectives isn’t helping – it’s just noise.
Bloated software doesn’t help. But in our experience, the most frequent obstacle to good bookkeeping isn’t bad software at all. It’s bad bookkeeping.
💡PICNIC accounting – Problem In Chair Not In Computer
The software might be imperfect, but if the bookkeeping foundations aren’t right, no amount of automation or “insights” will fix that.
Businesses don’t do bookkeeping for fun. They do it to get answers.
To generate the information you need, you may need additional functionality such as profit centres, tracking categories and projects in your software. That’s fine because these tools have been around for decades and we know their worth.
What matters is that the financial reports you need to run your business should be clear, accessible, relevant AND be included in your accounting software.
You might need to customise some standard reports to fit your business exactly, but the building blocks should already be there. If you’re spending more time wrestling with the software than understanding the numbers, something has gone wrong.
Simply put, the software is beginning to get in the way.
One IT expert and accounting software user I spoke to summed it up perfectly:
Too many buttons and most of them I’ll never use!
Screens are becoming too crowded and useful menu items are harder to find.
So-called “insights” pop up and grab your attention when most of the time they’re telling you things you already knew or things you don’t need to worry about right now. And if your bookkeeping is not all that good then those insights are likely to be plain wrong anyway!
There are too many distractions and obstacles in the way of just getting work done.
Making matters worse, your accountants or your software provider may also be trying to encourage you to adopt some of the new technology – whether it’s useful to your business or not!
The reality is that a great many businesses neither want nor need a lot of the newest functionality on offer.
For them, the software has become more complicated than the business itself.
Prices continue to rise.
But can the same be said for value for money?
If you’re paying more each year for features you don’t use, don’t understand, or actively avoid, that’s not progress—it’s friction.
At Blue Dot Consulting, we do a lot of software training for businesses, and these days that training usually goes in one of two directions:
🔵 Helping you focus on the essentials
We show you how to do the bookkeeping that actually matters for your business—cleanly, efficiently, and without being distracted by software elements you simply don’t need.
🔵 Helping you move to something more suitable
Sometimes the right answer isn’t more training—it’s better-matched software. We help businesses transition to simpler, more appropriate systems that fit how they actually operate.
Accounting software should support your business, not overwhelm it.
If your software feels more complicated than your business, it’s probably time to rethink how you’re using it—or whether it’s the right tool at all.
We can help you steer a path to using the software features your business needs without being swamped by the “improvements” you don’t.
If you’re finding that your accounting software has become harder to use than it needs to be, a short review can help clarify whether training, simplification, or a change of software would be most appropriate.
☎️ call Michael Austin on 020 7125 0270
📧 info@bluedotconsulting.co.uk
Learn more about our bespoke accounting software training:
No, no-one does. Most businesses only use a small fraction of what their software offers. Using fewer features well almost always produces better results than trying to use everything.
💡Why don’t businesses make better use of accounting software?
Not usually. AI can be useful in specific cases, but it can’t compensate for poor setup or inconsistent data. Clear bookkeeping fundamentals still matter far more than automated “insights”.
💡Cloud accounting and AI may not a good accountant make
If routine tasks feel harder than they should, reports aren’t clear, or you’re paying for features you never use, your software is probably more complex than your business needs.
💡This is bookkeeping in the 21st century
That depends. Sometimes focused training that strips things back to the essentials is enough. In other cases, switching to simpler, better-matched software is the more effective option.
We help businesses simplify. That might mean practical training that focuses on what actually matters—or guiding a move to alternative software that fits the business better.
💡Improve your business by changing your accountants
At Blue Dot Consulting, we work with owner-managed businesses across Central, West and South West London, including Fulham, Hammersmith, Richmond, Putney, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea. If you’d like to improve your financial reporting, bookkeeping or decision-making, we’d be delighted to help.
© Blue Dot Consulting Limited, Chartered Accountants, Bedford House, Fulham Green, London, SW6 3JW
We don’t believe in forms, we believe in talking to people, finding out your needs and tailor-making a solution just for you.
Give us a ring on 020 7125 0270 or email us at info@bluedotconsulting.co.uk
“Michael and the Blue Dot team have been an essential part of our journey from startup through to being an established company, and we look forward to continuing working together long into the future. They have always been on hand to offer support and sound advice whenever it is needed.”
“Blue Dot have been our accountants and bookkeepers since the very beginning of our business, and have been nothing short of outstanding throughout.”
“Blue Dot Consulting went above and beyond in helping us navigate not only the transition to cloud-based accounting but also in leading our accounts team through a broader period of transformation.
Their deep understanding of our unique needs and challenges was evident from the outset. They provided unwavering support to our team, ensuring they felt confident and well-prepared for the changes ahead.”
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Michael was fantastic. He quizzed me on how my business worked financially and was super patient with me. Explaining everything in a non-accountancy manner. He then showed me how to utilise all the less obvious tools in the program, which he continues to do, so that I can see immediately what monies held belonged to my company and what is held for clients. I now do my own VAT returns and payroll because of his help and continued support.”
“I really enjoy working with Blue Dot Consulting — they’ve helped me take control of our financial situation in a practical, no-nonsense way.
They take a common-sense approach and, most importantly, they get things done. For example, we now have weekly planning and forecasting calls, along with monthly cash flow reviews using simple, easy-to-understand spreadsheets.
Their support has made a huge difference in how we manage and plan for the future.”
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“It was the genuine level of care and interest in what we do as a business.
The regular check-ins and the effort to ensure the systems they’ve implemented are working for everyone stood out.
It felt like more than just a service, it was a partnership.”
“I’ve been delighted with both the service and expert advice I’ve received from Michael and his team. They take the weight off my shoulders when it comes to my business’s financial requirements, allowing me to focus on building and managing the company.”
“We are a small organisation with no in-house financial expertise, so it’s a huge weight off my mind knowing that I can rely on Michael and his team to take care of everything.”
“I can wholeheartedly and highly recommend Michael and his team at Blue Dot as an exceptional accounting firm. They put my mind at rest knowing I am in excellent hands.”
“Michael and the team are my saviours. Always helpful, approachable and reliable. They show an interest in my business and give excellent advice and recommendations. Above all, they are highly likeable and fun to work with.”
“They went above and beyond in helping us navigate not only the transition to cloud-based accounting but also in leading our accounts team through a broader period of transformation.”
“You guys are brilliant. It’s been a challenging few weeks facing up to the issues but I do feel positive towards them now and I feel a weight has lifted from my shoulders. I am honestly so thankful!”
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“Michael’s straightforward, practical and tailor-made approach was perfect for me and our business.”
“Blue Dot have been our accountants and bookkeepers since the very beginning of our business, and have been nothing short of outstanding throughout.”
