January means one thing for accountants: self assessment season. Richard Hattersley opens the podcast with the latest filing statistics. He compares these to the figures from previous years and reveals the statistics from the festive period. Every year, AccountingWEB checks in with the community and Hattersley highlights a few member responses. The team then explores what’s changed with the rise of artificial intelligence to how Making Tax Digital might change future Januarys. ACCA has revealed that it can no longer police online exams due to AI-fuelled cheating and, as a result, is going back to in-person exams from March this year. Tom Herbert walks us through what happened, how students were cheating, the reaction that followed and whether it was the right move. The Carillion saga continues with the FCA imposing fines on two former FDs. The team provides a refresh of the Carillion story and Matthew Ord explains the latest development of the penalties that have officially been given to Richard Adam and Zafar Khan.

It’s that time again as the team reunites for their final podcast of the year, reviewing the biggest stories of 2025 and finishing with some juicy predictions.

As the dust settles on the accounting tech landscape for another year, guests Billie Mcloughlin and John Toon join AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert to discuss the impact of AI, run the rule over the major players in the profession, and analyse the upcoming introduction of Making Tax Digital and e-invoicing. For show notes and full details of all the stories discussed, visit: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/content/accounting-technology-year-in-review-2025-ai-apis-and-mtd

In the latest episode of Inside the Numbers – which pulls back the curtain on the KPIs of finance leaders – Michael Burgess of DJH reveals the three main metrics that help him navigate her work, and also discusses his transition to becoming a CFO.

Chris Maslin, a speaker at The Finance, Accounting and Bookkeeping Show (FAB), joins the podcast to discuss selling a controlling stake in his firm to an employee ownership trust (EOT). He explains why he chose this route, how the transition worked, adjusting to reduced control and the alternatives he considered. Maslin also talks about launching Go EO, his consultancy helping other businesses explore EOTs, and gives his reaction to the Budget announcement cutting capital gains tax relief on EOT disposals from 100% to 50%. He’ll be going more in-depth into his journey at FAB on 11-12 March at the NEC. Tom Herbert covers ICAEW’s new tech hub for ACA students, created to close the skills gap by giving graduates free access to industry-standard apps. He and Maslin share their thoughts and what’s still missing. Finally, Matthew Ord discusses Grant Thornton data showing CFOs and FDs often being left out of the loop. Drawing on chats with FAB speaker Clare Elliott and fractional CFO Marc Obrart, the team explore the risks of poor communication and why alignment across finance teams matters.

Silverfin co-founder Joris Van Der Gucht tells AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert that AI can automate 80% of accounting tasks, but warns the 'human in the loop' must evolve. Welcome to the age of the 'AI Orchestrator'. For full show notes visit: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/why-ai-orchestrator-might-be-the-next-job-title-in-practice

The team recorded the podcast straight after the Budget to share their instant reactions. They covered the Office for Budget Responsibility’s early report release and the pre-Budget leaks. Richard Hattersley shared his view on the announcements and what surprised him. Tom Herbert sank his teeth into some tech news, with e-invoicing and Making Tax Digital making the cut. Paul Baker, tax partner at Buzzacott and speaker at the Finance, Accounting & Bookkeeping Show (FAB), joined to share his take. He discussed the day and what measures stood out. He mentioned the impact of extending the income tax and employer national insurance thresholds, whether this was the way forward and the issue of applying NICs to salary-sacrificed pension contributions of about £2k a year. He concluded the podcast by sharing concerns that he had and the next steps for a tax expert like himself.

Accounting tech founder Duane Jackson lifts the lid on the limits of artificial intelligence in accounting, the suite-vs-best-of-breed battle, and why he’d be “very surprised” if he sold a third business to IRIS. The Kashflow and Staffology creator joins AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert to to unpack the AI race, the shifting dynamics between suites and specialist tools, and why he’s keen that his “redemptive” life story does not eclipse his ability to build a product. For full show notes visit: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/practice-software/duane-jackson-on-ai-suite-wars-and-the-fight-for-future-talent

In the first episode of the new Inside the Numbers podcast - which pulls back the curtain on the KPIs of finance leaders - Clare Elliott of NetSupport reveals the three main metrics that help her navigate her day-to-day, and also discusses her journey to becoming a CFO.

Nick Williams, global product director at Intuit opens the podcast by announcing the global availability of AI agents on the Intuit platform. He explains how it works, why they’re launching now, and risks and reactions. The team discusses new Intuit QuickBooks research showing small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) can achieve up to 58% more revenue growth by closing the gap between ambition and execution. Williams explores the role of AI, automation, the importance of readiness and unlocking potential. Tom Herbert talks about the return of tech founders, covering six founders who built and sold successful accounting tech products and are now back with new software. Herbert details their return and the growing tech gap for small businesses. With the Budget weeks away, Richard Hattersley chats about rumours, likely changes, Rachel Reeves’s briefing and the team share their thoughts on which tax updates might actually happen. Matthew Ord wraps up discussing ICAEW AML compliance. A new report shows that rates have remained consistent but non-compliance is rising. He reviews the findings and whether the FCA will be ready to act on them.

Accounting firm founders Emily Vass of Nourished and Dean Shepherd of Eat, Sleep, Excel, Repeat join AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert to discuss their practice tech setups, the tools that have saved them time, and the false starts along the way. For full show notes, visit: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/new-firms-lean-stacks-how-startup-practices-can-dodge-accounting-techs

The AccountingWEB team celebrates the 200th podcast episode by looking back in time at some notable moments and reflecting on the first episode. Matthew Ord takes a look at the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) new role as anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) supervisor for all accountancy and legal firms. He recalls his chat with AML expert David Winch, who warned it won’t be a light-touch regime. Ord explores why the move has frustrated supervisory bodies and whether the FCA really understands the profession. Tom Herbert turns to Making Tax Digital (MTD) and the part that banks are starting to play. With 840,000 taxpayers not yet using commercial software, Herbert talks about which banks have made their MTD move, his concerns about this approach and how he sees it all playing out. Back from the US, Richard Hattersley shares his experience at NetSuite’s SuiteWorld where AI was the topic of conversation. The team unpacks the launch of NetSuite Next and the push toward the “autonomous close”, asking whether finance teams are ready for AI.

Caseware CEO David Marquis tells AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert about the company's UK priorities: cloud parity, safer AI, platform consolidation and a shift from compliance to advisory – and why firms shouldn’t sit on their hands when it comes to tech transformation. For full details see the show notes at: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/caseware-chief-on-audits-next-tech-leap

HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme director Craig Ogilvie joins the team to share the latest updates on MTD testing and why joining early is the best way to prepare. The team also discusses the exemptions process and who qualifies, with Ogilvie warning listeners not to leave applications until the last minute. He outlines its benefits, talking about how MTD goes beyond compliance to build a modern, data-driven tax system. With better record keeping and improved accuracy, MTD aims to create a fairer, more efficient and resilient tax environment. The conversation then turns to multi-agent functionality, software support and HMRC’s efforts to help both agents and unrepresented taxpayers through helplines, targeted communications and regional engagement. Ogilvie closes with some practical advice: get your Agent Service Account (ASA) ready, sign up clients early and make sure your software and records are in shape because April 2026 will come around fast.

The team had a wonderful evening at the Accounting Excellence Awards (AEA) and we hope everyone who joined did too! They share their highlights, with Richard Hattersley reflecting on how the winners shed light on trends shaping the profession. Focusing on the small, mid-tier and large firm winners, Hattersley talks about private equity, management buyouts and growth. Many of these winners will also be speaking at the Finance, Accounting and Bookkeeping Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on 11-12 March 2026. Tom Herbert spent the day after the awards at Wolters Kluwer’s CCH Connections User Conference. Herbert shares his experience with Wolters Kluwer’s integrated Making Tax Digital (MTD) solution ahead of the mandation date, what the next six months are going to look like for firms and the mood among attendees as MTD nears. Matthew Ord concludes the podcast by recalling his chat with ICAEW president, Derek Blair. Appointed in June 2025, Blair outlines the legacy he wants to leave, what his goals are and his focus on a social mobility programme to tap into new talent.

As the first series of The Progressive Firm Podcast comes to an end, we profile the rise of Wilson Partners and how it navigated recruitment, M&A, branding and tech to become the multi-office operation it is today.

Richard Hattersley recalls his chats with Dan Heelan, director at Heelan Associates, and Ria-Jaine Lincoln, the founder of the Beauty Accountant, who have both found themselves having to correct AI-generated misinformation brought in by clients. The AccountingWEB team of two discuss the risks of relying on AI for advice and how accountants can get ahead of this issue when trust is on the line. Tom Herbert looks ahead to 31 January 2026 as the first self assessment season where most taxpayers will use AI. With a survey from Taxfix showing 59% expect to turn to AI before the deadline, they explore why people are using it, how firms are applying it and why accountants remain irreplaceable.

A date has finally been announced for the Autumn Budget – 26 November. Richard Hattersley looks at the political kite flying that has happened over the summer and what we can potentially expect from the Budget. With the government’s pledge not to increase national insurance, income tax and VAT, Hattersley shares his conversation with James Quarmby, a partner at Stephenson Haywood, on what he thinks will happen. From Downing Street to Brisbane, Tom Herbert speaks about Xerocon 2025. He details the big announcements and what caught his attention, namely Xero’s new partnership with OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. Herbert explores what this partnership means, its impact, and concerns over data and accuracy. Lastly, Matthew Ord recalls his conversations with Grace Hardy, founder of Hardy Accounting, and James Wright, lecturer for accountancy and finance at the University of Chichester, on the next generation’s desire to start their own firm. With 75% of accounting students wanting to start their own business, Ord questions whether this is a wake-up call for the profession to rethink its approach to talent to tackle the skills gap.

On the latest episode of The Progressive Firm Podcast, Emma Reid and Ana Dima of Cottons and Dougie Todd of HaysMac discuss how a rebrand can aid a firm’s growth plans.

With Matthew Ord and Tom Herbert having some well-earned holiday, Richard Hattersley called in some back up for this week’s episode of No Accounting for Taste. He is joined by Wes Rashid, co-founder and CEO of Accountancy Cloud, Nikki Adams, joint managing director at Ad Valorem and Alex Falcon Huerta, CEO and founder of Soaring Falcon. The panel kicks off with the profession’s big debate: private equity (PE) vs independence. Hattersley recalls his chat with Simon Massey, the managing partner of Menzies, which has recently merged with Beever and Struthers and remains committed to staying independent. With consolidation on the rise, the guests debate whether smaller firms can compete with PE-backed rivals, discussing the pros and cons of each route. Closely linked to the topic of PE is tech adoption. While firms are now experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI), the panel questions how it’s really being used and whether the profession is falling behind in other areas. They explore the gap between progressive firms pushing for more innovation and smaller practices still catching up with cloud adoption. The risk, they warn, is that some practices could fall so far behind that succession planning becomes much harder They wrap up by looking at how firms can respond to these pressures. With so much upheaval, collaboration and community are becoming essential. The panel stresses the power of knowledge sharing and peer support, noting how in-person events help practitioners create stronger trust and better client relationships.