A decade is a remarkable achievement, and for Matt Kekena, it’s been a journey of growth and impact. From the early days of adapting to a dynamic SaaS landscape to playing a key role in product, education, training, and customer support, his story mirrors the evolution of both Spotlight Reporting and the accounting industry. Let’s revisit his experiences, insights, and vision for the future.
From accountant to SaaS innovator
Before joining Spotlight Reporting, Matt, Spotlight Reporting’s Product Experience Lead started his career as an accountant in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. It was there that he first encountered Xero, introduced by local entrepreneur and Xero legend Rod Drury, which sparked his interest in cloud-based accounting solutions. As a customer of Spotlight Reporting in its early days, he witnessed firsthand the value it brought to advisory services. When the opportunity arose to join the team, he jumped at the chance.
The early days: Wearing many hats
When Spotlight Reporting was still a small, growing company, Matt joined under a broad title relating to “customer experience,” which meant doing everything from training and support to product feedback, compiling metrics and reporting, and even some marketing. It was a fast-paced environment where adaptability was key, and those early experiences shaped his understanding of what it takes to scale a SaaS business.
Shaping product training & customer success
As Spotlight Reporting expanded, along with it Matt’s role began to change. He transitioned into managing customer support and training, identifying gaps in user education along the way. This led to the creation of Spotlight’s certification program, designed to help users not just understand the product but truly integrate it into their advisory practices. The program evolved, incorporating key customer feedback to ensure it remained relevant and impactful.
Navigating challenges & seizing opportunities
One of the more interesting and challenging moments in Matt’s tenure was the onset of COVID-19. Thankfully, Spotlight Reporting was already operating in the cloud, making the transition to remote work seamless. However, the real challenge came in responding to customer needs. The team rapidly developed new features in the forecasting space, such as consolidated forecasting, helping firms navigate uncertainty. It was a testament to how agility and customer feedback drove the product innovation.
Spotlight’s growth
Over the years, Spotlight Reporting has grown from a small, global team to a company of nearly 50 people, with staff operating from New Zealand, Australia, the UK, the US, and Canada. The product has continuously evolved to meet industry trends and customer demands. With increasing competition in the accounting software space, the team remains focused on delivering high-value solutions that empower accountants to provide deeper insights for their clients.
The future of accounting & advisory services
Looking ahead, Matt foresees major shifts in the accounting industry. Firms are increasingly challenged by a declining pipeline of accounting graduates, as fewer students pursue accounting in higher education. This shortage is expected to drive innovation in recruitment and training practices while also encouraging talent from adjacent industries—such as engineering, to transition into the accounting profession. Outsourcing is more common, reshaping how firms structure their services. And, of course, emerging technologies like AI are set to redefine advisory practices in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
A decade of impact & community
Beyond the growth and challenges, what stands out to Matt is the sense of community within the accounting industry. While competition has increased, there’s also a spirit of collaboration, firms sharing insights, software providers working together, and users shaping the future of products through their feedback. One of his proudest moments? In Matt's first year working at Spotlight Reporting, the team won the “App of the Year” at the Xero App Awards, a sign of the company’s early success and potential.
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Final thoughts
Reflecting on the past 10 years, Matt appreciates the journey, one filled with learning, adaptation, and impact. From working across multiple functions to helping shape product strategy, his role has continually evolved alongside Spotlight Reporting itself. And through it all, one thing remains the same: the commitment to empowering accountants with the best tools and insights to drive advisory excellence.
In the 10 years of his tenure, there’s not a lot that Matt hasn’t seen. So we sat down and asked him some fun questions, and here’s what he had to say:
If you could only pick one product today that you couldn’t live without, what would it be? And why?
Youtube - something for everyone whether music, learning a new skill, hobbies, entertainment, assembling IKEA furniture, etc
You’re in the UK for now, what’s your favorite thing about British culture?
Honestly, queuing is fantastic
Settle a widely spoken about Spotlight Reporting debate, TimTam or Penguin?
Tim Tam - (gasps from the UK audiences…)
