Change GPS, a provider of accounting software 

"Interest from potential acquirers began before I joined in 2020 and intensified as our profile grew. The company gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing tools to help accountants deliver government support services, further building its regional profile.

Our founder, Tim Munro and I proactively prepared for acquisition, maintaining clean financials and a well-organised data room. We also developed a strong advisory board to ensure we got the right outcome during negotiations.

Choosing the right buyer is crucial. The Access Group stood out due to its strategic alignment, investment in cloud-based software and strong local presence. The adoption of cloud-based products in Australia is faster than anywhere else and the Access strategy to invest in APAC is aligned with our own.  

 The deal process is intense, you’ve got to run your business, and you’ve got to run a deal. And while you're running the deal it’s the time you want your business to perform the best it’s ever performed. You must be open to different perspectives and maintain a strong support network.  

Also, for anyone embarking on this process, make sure you speak the same language. The language we used to run our business was different from the language Access uses. I said afterwards that you guys need to give us a glossary at the start so we know what you're talking about!"

The biggest lesson I learned was patience, but I'm talking X Games-level patience!

A year on, there has been a shift in responsibility, the support and backing of the Access broader team and the opportunity to contribute to a global strategy."