Finance isn’t just about numbers—it’s the glue that connects everything in your business. It touches inventory costs, supplier payments, payroll, and every single transaction at the point of sale. By putting finance first, you set the foundation for everything else. This makes rolling out future modules, like inventory management or sales tracking, so much smoother. Gartner also highlights that when finance is implemented first, subsequent ERP rollouts face fewer bottlenecks, as the groundwork for clean, standardized data is already laid. Without this solid base, things can quickly become chaotic—think of it like trying to build a house without a blueprint. Not a great idea, right?

No one likes dealing with regulations and audits, but they’re a part of life in retail. The good news? Starting with finance makes it a lot easier. A strong financial system ensures that your data is accurate and standardized from day one, making it easier to meet tax reporting requirements and sail through audits. Plus, as Gartner points out, a robust financial framework reduces the risk of errors in compliance and audit readiness, keeping things stress-free even when regulators come knocking.