Q&A SERIES // AccountingPod
We caught up with XingDong Yan from Accounting Pod to have a chat about what they’ve been up to lately.
Tech startup AccountingPod launched back in 2018, following a partnership with education platform Xero Learn.
AccountingPod is an EduTech platform and SAAS [Software As A Service] business. Customers include universities, vocational training providers and schools around the world.
AccountingPod brings platforms like Xero, MicroSoft PowerBI into classrooms so students can get hands on. These real world applied experiences are increasingly required by curriculum authorities. At the same time AccountingPod make teaching and marking students work on these leading digital platforms, super easy. In a nutshell, the tech startup enable ‘learn by doing’ for accounting and business students, which helps to address the skills gap between theory and current practice.
How did Accounting Pod come about?
My co-founder Judith Cambridge and I are both practicing chartered accountants. Our accountancy practice JCCA was founded in 2003 by Judith. We adopted cloud accounting (Xero) very early. It was back in 2007. We were one of a handful of accounting partners in the very early days. Fast forward a whole decade, we were getting frustrated with graduate accountant and business students’ lack of practical experience or knowledge of the digital workplace. We decided to do something about it, so we launched AccountingPod.
As an entrepreneur, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt so far?
Every person and their dog will have something to say about your business but very, very few people truly understand your niche. Find them and talk to them.
What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
I really liked Prof Barbara Oakley’S (Learning how to learn) thinking - learning to understand the need for switching between focused and relaxed diffuse modes to learn effectively.
What part of the Queenstown Lakes do you live in?
I live between Invercargill and Arrowtown. I’m a proud Southlander and Arrowtowner.
What do you love about this region?
Both Southland and QLDC: Kindness and resilience of the people, the beautiful natural environment and diversity of thoughts.
What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Listen and talk to your customers.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Exercise: swimming or rope skipping.
Can you share with us your company’s current big/or small goal?
For AccountingPod, we rolled out in Australia in the last 18 months. The big goal now is to continue rolling it out in the USA, Canada and the UK. For JCCA, it’s all about supporting our clients through this Covid recovery (whatever this maybe)!
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My small business clients: humble, resilient and a good sense of humour.
How has Covid-19 effected your business?
For AccountingPod, it’s a mixture of caution and optimism. Our university customers are negatively impacted by the drop in international student number at the same time the ‘need and must’ to transition online. Luckily, we represent a cost neutral innovative online learning proposition. So we have been growing. For JCCA, it’s been all hands on deck supporting clients in particular our tourism clients, as you can understand.
What is the single best piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Love what you do so you can last.
Favourite meeting space in the Queenstown Lakes?
Our old office at 1 Searle Lane ( the octagonal looking building, used to be a party house). Bespoke kitchen, Chopshop, Yonder for coffee and over lunch meetings. BNZ partner centre.
