Compleat Software

DRIVING FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY THROUGH INNOVATI N

A Conversation with Philip Douglas, CEO of Compleat

With over two decades of leadership across the technology and SaaS sectors, Philip Douglas brings a unique blend of financial expertise and tech driven vision to the forefront of digital transformation. As CEO of Compleat Software, he has built a platform that empowers businesses to streamline procurement and finance operations through intelligent automation, seamless integration, and user friendly design. In this interview, Philip shares the inspiration behind Compleat’s founding, explores the impact of AI on the procure to pay (P2P) landscape, and offers valuable insights on future trends, client success, and advice for the next generation of fintech innovators.

Founding Motivation

What inspired you to establish Compleat Software, and what key challenges in the financial and procurement sectors were you aiming to address?

I have been a small to mid market software senior executive for over 20 years, working in technology and SaaS across the UK, Europe, and North America.

As a qualified accountant, software engineer, and overall tech enthusiast, I have an eye for market needs, as well as the proven experience to grow revenue, develop new products, create new lines of business, and build the marketing strategies needed to take these to market.

During my many previous senior finance roles, I witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies within buying and finance functions and the lack of tools provided by most accounting software solutions. As a former FD, owner of a small ERP consulting practice, and technology founder with a previous exit, I gained a deep understanding of overall business processes, ranging from sales strategies and development cycles to implementation, service and support. I’ve also focused on building engaged and enthusiastic teams while implementing processes and solutions to ensure optimum departmental performance.

Throughout this journey, I’ve continued to champion a learning culture through strong facilitation, communication, and coaching skills. As a leader, there is no greater satisfaction than helping people grow, flourish, and succeed.

Product Offerings

Compleat Software provides solutions like Invoice Capture, AP Automation, Purchase Order Automation, and Purchase-to-Pay (P2P). Could you elaborate on how these products integrate to streamline financial processes for businesses?

Absolutely. At Compleat, our solutions are designed to work seamlessly together. Invoice Capture uses AI to automatically extract and process invoice data, which then feeds directly into AP Automation for smooth approvals and accurate matching. Our Purchase Order Automation ensures that spending is controlled and monitored right from the start, while Purchase to Pay (P2P) ties everything together, giving businesses complete visibility and control.

It’s all about eliminating manual intervention, improving accuracy, and delivering meaningful insights into financial operations.

User Experience

How does Compleat ensure that its automated solutions remain user-friendly, especially for employees who may not be tech-savvy?

Ease of use is one of our top priorities. We recognise that technology must serve the user—not the other way around. Our platform features intuitive dashboards, a simple workflow editor, and a clean, minimal design to ensure navigation is straightforward. Even employees with limited tech experience can quickly adopt the system, which ultimately increases engagement and accelerates implementation.

Integration with Accounting Software

Your platform integrates with various accounting solutions like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage 50, Sage 200, and Sage Intacct. How does this flexibility benefit your clients?

Flexibility is critical. Businesses invest heavily in their financial systems, and they need solutions that complement—not replace—them. Our integrations allow customers to extend the capabilities of their existing accounting platforms without the need for disruptive migrations. This seamless synchronisation reduces errors, minimises manual work, and provides a unified view of financial health across both procurement and finance teams.

Innovation and Technology

AI is everywhere—how has this impacted the P2P process?

AI allows us to automate data capture, flag anomalies, detect fraud patterns, and predict spending trends. We embed AI at the core of our offerings, not as a gimmick, but as a genuine driver of efficiency, accuracy, and insight. It’s about giving finance and procurement teams the tools to be proactive, not just reactive.

Global Presence

With operations in the UK and US, how does Compleat Software tailor its solutions to meet the diverse needs of businesses across these regions?

Our global footprint gives us a rich perspective on regional differences. We design our solutions with localisation in mind, supporting multiple currencies, tax codes, and compliance regulations. Beyond technical requirements, we adapt workflows and configurations to reflect how businesses operate in different regions. It’s about striking a balance between maintaining a global standard and offering the flexibility for local customisation.

Industry Trends

What industry trends are you seeing around supplier relationship management?

Supplier relationships are more strategic than ever. We’re seeing a shift toward digital collaboration, enhanced communication, shared data, and mutual visibility into performance. There’s also a growing focus on risk management, not just cost savings. Organisations want to work with suppliers who are reliable, compliant, and aligned with their values, including sustainability. Our Compleat Ecosystem is designed to foster that level of partnership by connecting procurement, finance, and supplier networks into a single, transparent platform.

Client Success Stories

Can you share any notable examples of how Compleat’s solutions have significantly improved operational efficiency for your clients?

Certainly. Milton Abbey School implemented Compleat Education, gaining visibility on spend before it’s made. This allowed them to automate their purchasing and AP processes, saving time and money while gaining full oversight of all spend within the institution. Their accountant, Terry Harding, noted: “I would happily recommend iCompleat to any finance team in the education sector who is looking to digitise and take charge of their P2P processes.”

Another standout success story is with East Cheshire Hospice, a UK based healthcare provider offering palliative care services. They needed a solution that would improve their finance processes without adding complexity for staff. By implementing Compleat, they were able to automate their purchasing workflows, integrate seamlessly with their existing Sage 50 accounting system, and take advantage of our integration with Amazon Business for efficient online ordering.

Their Head of IT shared that Compleat is “very user friendly and efficient to use,” highlighting the ease of raising orders and the value of the Amazon Business integration.

Future Trends

What do you see as the future of strategic sourcing?

Honestly, strategic sourcing is getting a lot smarter, and a lot faster. It’s becoming increasingly data driven and automated. Businesses will be able to predict what they need, when they need it, and make better buying decisions as a result.

Sustainability is no longer just a “nice to have”, it’s becoming a core part of how companies choose their suppliers, with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors playing a significant role.

At Compleat, we see integrated online buying as a major part of that future, giving users instant access to item comparisons from multiple supplier catalogues, with real time pricing and the ability to buy smarter without ever leaving their financial system, all driven by AI. That’s why we built the Compleat Ecosystem—to bring procurement, finance, and suppliers together in one connected, easy to use platform that helps businesses move faster, spend smarter, and stay ahead.

We’re seeing a shift toward digital collaboration, enhanced communication, shared data, and mutual visibility into performance.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

What guidance would you offer to individuals looking to innovate in the financial technology sector?

Understand your market, knowing the needs and pain points of your target audience is essential. Embrace agility, as the market moves quickly, and be prepared to adapt your solutions based on feedback and change. Focus on user experience by designing user friendly, accessible platforms. Prioritise compliance and security. And lastly, build strategic partnerships to expand your reach and capabilities.

Compleat Software delivers cloud-based procurement and invoice automation solutions designed to simplify purchasing and payables processes for organisations of all sizes. By streamlining requisitions, approvals, and vendor management, Compleat enables efficient, transparent, and cost-effective financial workflows—boosting compliance, control, and operational efficiency.