Why Anchor Broke Free And Started Fresh with Modern Accounting Software

After a decade leading airCFO, Justin McLoughlin recognized a pivotal moment in the evolution of startup accounting. He envisioned a firm built from the ground up to leverage the power of real-time data and automation, not as added features, but as core principles. This vision led to the creation of Anchor, a new accounting firm dedicated exclusively to serving startups, and powered by the innovative Puzzle ledger. For Justin, the goal wasn't just to keep pace with change, but to define the future of startup finance.

The Challenges with Legacy Accounting Software

The pain points of traditional accounting software were clear:

• Manual reconciliation and cumbersome workflows stealing time from strategic work
• Delayed financial insights hampering proactive guidance while waiting for month-end
• Poor integration with modern startup tools and financial stack
• Limited automation constraining growth and margins

Their Strategic Bet

Justin saw the immense potential of Puzzle to revolutionize startup accounting. To fully realize this potential, he chose to build Anchor as a "future-first" firm designed specifically around Puzzle enabling:

• Modern Foundation: Seamless integration with tools startups already use (Stripe, Mercury, Ramp, Brex, Gusto, Rippling)
• Automation & AI: Building efficient workflows and removing repetitive tasks like manual reconciliations and categorization
• Real-Time Financial Data: To unlock just-in-time insights for customers rather than waiting for month-end close
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"Puzzle's modern, real-time accounting platform aligns perfectly with the needs of tech startups," explains Justin. "Its seamless integrations and automation capabilities allow us to provide our clients with accurate, up-to-date financial information, enabling them to make informed decisions swiftly."

Early Validation for Anchor with Puzzle

While Anchor is in its early stages, the benefits of this approach are already emerging:

For the Firm:

• Shift from manual tasks to strategic advisory work
• Ability to provide real-time guidance
• Better margins with gained efficiency

For Clients:

• Native integration with their existing tech stack
• Immediate access to financial insights
• Partnership focused on growth, not just compliance
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"The automation has been a game-changer," says Justin. "Puzzle significantly reduces time spent on repetitive tasks, letting us focus on helping startups grow rather than just keeping their books in order."

How Anchor is Redefining the Modern Accounting Firm

Anchor's vision goes beyond modernizing workflows. By building on Puzzle, they're reimagining what an accounting firm can be:

• Evolution from reactive bookkeeping to proactive guidance
• Technology-enabled scaling through automation
• Focus on attracting forward-thinking startups
• Culture built around high-value strategic work
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"Puzzle gives us the ability to deliver a more personalized and responsive experience for our clients," Justin notes. "By leveraging real-time data and AI-driven insights, we're able to act as true partners in their growth journey rather than just service providers. That level of support is something legacy systems just don't allow."

Their Path Forward

For firms facing similar decisions about modernization, Justin's advice is clear: "Take the leap. Puzzle is the future of accounting, especially for firms that work with startups. It adapts to your needs, simplifies workflows, and allows you to deliver value that legacy platforms just can't compete with."

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The partnership between Anchor and Puzzle represents more than a technology choice - it's a bet on where accounting is headed. As startups increasingly demand real-time insights and strategic guidance, firms that embrace modern platforms will be best positioned to serve them.

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Learn more about Anchor's modern approach to startup accounting at dropanchor.io

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