In this episode of Finance Focus, host Brendan Ritchie is joined by Ross Sardi (CEO, First Focus) and Jared Morris (CEO & Founder, Balden) to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing modern finance teams — choosing the right technology stack.Together they explore why so many Australian businesses are frustrated with legacy ERPs, what’s driving the shift to modular, cloud-based finance tools, and how to build a curated, best-in-class tech stack that keeps your data accurate, decisions fast, and teams happy.💬 Key discussion points:- Why most ERPs create more problems than they solve- The real cost of manual processes and disconnected tools- How process mapping can transform your finance operations- What an ideal modern finance stack looks like (and the tools behind it)- The importance of single-source data entry for real-time reporting- How Australian mid-market businesses can build smarter, scalable finance systems📈 Whether you’re a CFO, COO, or finance leader in a growing Australian organisation, this episode will help you modernise your finance systems.🕒 Key Chapters0:00 Intro – Welcome to Finance Focus: Building the Right Finance Tech Stack0:35 The Problem with Current Finance Tools – Frustration, manual work, and gut feel decisions1:45 No Single Source of Truth = Slow or Bad Decisions – Why data trust is everything3:50 The ERP Headache – Why so many businesses are ditching legacy systems6:20 The Shift to Best-in-Class Apps and APIs – From all-in-one to curated stacks10:30 Mapping Processes Before Tech Decisions – The key to building a fit-for-purpose stack13:45 Real-World Example: Xero, Unleashed, Lightspeed, Shopify + Causal16:10 Avoiding App Bloat and Driving Adoption – Designing systems around people18:50 Wrap-Up – Finance Tech That Empowers Better Decisions
