What MSPs Miss In Every Tech Implementation

If you’ve ever sat through a software demo, you’ve probably heard the magic words: “Don’t worry, it integrates perfectly.” But as Julie Ferraz, seasoned Controller at Next Level Now, explained in our recent webinar, that’s usually when the real trouble begins.

Julie has worked hand-in-hand with MSPs navigating everything from M&A transitions and ERP migrations to major tool swaps like ConnectWise to Halo and Ramp rollouts. And time after time, she’s seen the same blind spot: the financial side gets sidelined—until it’s too late.

Why Most Implementations Go Sideways

Technical teams often take the lead on tool rollouts—but what they don’t see are the downstream financial consequences. Julie shared real-world examples where new systems caused reporting delays, payroll errors, and cash flow crunches—all because finance wasn’t looped in early enough.

The key takeaway? Tool integrations may be promised, but financial disruption is practically guaranteed without proper planning.

Red Flags To Watch For

Julie walked attendees through the most common red flags she sees during implementations:

• Payment approvals getting lost in new workflows
• Misaligned GL mappings
• Reporting inconsistencies post-rollout
• Duplicate vendor records and broken expense categorization

When finance leaders aren’t involved in implementation planning, these issues aren’t just possible—they’re inevitable.

What Actually Gets Disrupted

Think switching tools is just a matter of syncing APIs? Think again.

Julie highlighted three core areas that get thrown off balance:

1. Chart of Accounts – If mappings aren’t right from the start, your financial reports will be garbage.
2. Payment Workflows – Disruptions here mean delayed bills, frustrated vendors, and strained cash flow.
3. Reporting Cadence – Even a one-week reporting delay can be costly in a fast-moving MSP environment.

What “Financial Hygiene” Really Means

Julie emphasized that even small MSPs need to think like controllers. That means:

• Cleaning up your chart of accounts before implementation
• Documenting existing approval workflows
• Creating a financial risk checklist for any tool rollout
• Setting reporting baselines and post-rollout checkpoints

Good financial hygiene ensures that your systems don’t just integrate—they support growth.

Final Thoughts: Finance First, Tools Second

The main message? Your tools don’t run your business. Your financial operations do. If you ignore finance during a rollout, you’re setting yourself up for disruption.

At Next Level Now, our embedded CFOs and financial leadership team specialize in helping MSPs and growth-focused companies navigate these transitions with confidence—and with the right financial foundation in place.