The right financial tech stack can do more than just save time—it can transform how your business makes decisions. For growing companies, especially those without a full in-house finance team, investing in the right tools can create efficiency, clarity, and scalability.
Here’s a practical guide to building a tech stack that actually works for your finance function.
What Is a Finance Tech Stack?
Your finance tech stack is the set of software tools and systems that manage, track, and analyze your financial activity. This can include everything from bookkeeping software to forecasting tools to automation platforms.
When done right, your stack should:
- Reduce manual entry and reconciliation
- Improve financial visibility
- Enable better decision-making
- Scale with your business
Core Components of a Finance Tech Stack
Here are the core tools every small to mid-sized business should consider:
1. Accounting Software
| Platform | Description |
| QuickBooks Online | Industry-leading cloud-based accounting platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. |
| Xero | Clean, easy-to-use online accounting software with strong app integrations. |
| Sage Intacct | Scalable cloud ERP with robust reporting for growing businesses. |
| Oracle NetSuite | Enterprise-grade ERP for multi-entity, high-growth companies with complex needs. |
2. Expense Management
| Platform | Description | Integrations |
| Plooto | Industry-leading cloud-based accounting platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. |    |
| Dext | Extracts data from receipts and invoices to streamline bookkeeping. | |
| Expensify | Clean, easy-to-use online accounting software with strong app integrations. |  |
| Float | Scalable cloud ERP with robust reporting for growing businesses. | |
| Bill.com (formerly Divvy) | Smart expense management with budgets, cards, and real-time controls. | |
3. Payroll & HR
| Platform | Description | Integrations |
| Wagepoint | Canadian payroll software that’s simple, reliable, and CRA-compliant. | |
| Rise People | All-in-one HR, benefits, and payroll solution for Canadian businesses. | |
| Payworks | Comprehensive Canadian payroll and workforce management platform. | |
4. Bill Payments & Approvals
- Plooto – (See above) Also enables easy bill payments and approval workflows (QBO/Xero/NetSuite integrations).
- ApprovalMax – Automates financial approval workflows (QBO/Xero integrations)..
- Veem – Global payments and invoice management platform with seamless integrations.
5. Financial Reporting & Dashboards
- Fathom – Delivers visually rich financial reports, KPIs, and insights.
- Jirav – Combines budgeting, forecasting, and reporting into one intuitive platform.
- LiveFlow – Syncs live financial data into Google Sheets for real-time reporting.
- Power BI – Microsoft’s advanced business intelligence tool for custom reporting.
- Tableau – Powerful visual analytics platform for data-driven organizations.
6. Document Management & E-Signature
Dext – Extracts data from receipts and invoices to streamline bookkeeping.
Hubdoc – Automatically pulls and organizes financial documents and receipts.
Dropbox – Cloud storage solution ideal for securely sharing files.
Google Drive – Cloud-based storage and collaboration for files and documents.
HelloSign – Simple e-signature tool now part of Dropbox.
DocuSign – Industry-standard for legally binding e-signatures and contract workflows.
How to Choose the Right Tools
Not all businesses need a complex or expensive tech stack. Here’s how to find the right fit:
1. Start with the Pain Points
Where is your current process breaking down? Manual entries? Delayed approvals? Poor cash visibility?
2. Think About Integration
Your tools should talk to each other. Choose software that integrates with your core accounting system.
3. Prioritize Scalability
Choose platforms that can grow with you—whether that’s more users, more features, or multi-entity support.
4. Avoid “Shiny Object Syndrome”
More tools ≠ more value. Choose based on need, not hype.
Build Your Stack in Phases
You don’t need to implement everything at once. Here’s a common rollout path:
-
Phase 1 – Essentials:
Start with core accounting and payroll. -
Phase 2 – Automation:
Add expense management, bill pay, and document collection. -
Phase 3 – Insights:
Layer in reporting, dashboards, and forecasting tools.
Final Thoughts: Tech Enables Strategy
A great tech stack won’t replace financial expertise, but it makes that expertise more powerful. The right tools give your finance team—whether in-house or fractional—better data, faster insights, and the ability to focus on what really matters: helping you run a stronger business.
If you’re unsure where to start or want help designing a tech stack tailored to your business, we’re happy to guide you through it.
