John Toon and Indi speed-run a huge week in accounting tech news, and the theme is clear: AI. New research suggests half of UK firms are planning £100k+ AI investments, and the vendors are delivering. This week’s fintech news covers Adfin’s new ”Autopilot” AI credit controller that writes and sends chasers, Bill.com’s ”touchless” AI agents, and Thomson Reuters’ move into agentic AI for tax and audit. Plus, Dwayne Jackson is back. The founder of Kashflow and Staffology has launched Sodium, a new practice management platform - another future IRIS acquisition? Also in this episode: * Ben Carter from Access joins to give tangible examples of Evo’s AI, from solving ”mystery margin” to an ”autopilot world”. * Laura Brophy from Xledger explains their ”Pick and Mix” approach to digital training, based on adult learning theory * Updates from NetSuite, Digits, and Fathom.

 Learn how to harness EVO in Unleashed pre-client meetings. Join our Partner Product Webinar on the 17th November at 9pm GMT - https://hubs.la/Q03Q2dcL0 Find out more about Unleashed - https://hubs.la/Q03Q2cWv0 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 03:48 Unleashed: Using AI to Solve ”Mystery Margin” & Create an ”Autopilot World” App News 12:23 Firms Plan Major AI Spend as Agentic AI Arrives 16:49 BILL Launches AI Agents for ‘Touchless’ SMB Finance 19:26 Thomson Reuters Unveils Agentic AI for Tax and Audit 22:45 Adfin unveils ‘Autopilot’ AI 25:22 NetSuite launches ‘NetSuite Next,’ 28:04 Sodium practice software expands features 33:08 Digits announces new ‘Connect API’ 36:32 Fathom introduces ‘Forecast Snapshots’ 40:25 Xledger: The ”Pick and Mix” Approach to Digital Training

The Accounting Tech landscape is shifting under our feet. This week, we’re breaking down the major strategic moves from the industry’s biggest players and what it really means for your app, your ecosystem, and your channel strategy. We dive deep into the new AI in Accounting arms race, with Intuit launching its new AI Agents and even HMRC rolling out Copilot. Meanwhile, the giants are making moves. We explore the launch of Sage’s next-gen X3 platform and ask the question: Is Sage50 really cloud-based now? But it’s not all about the platforms. For SaaS leaders focused on SaaS Activation and partnerships, we put two key ecosystem players under the microscope: Unleashed: In our App Spotlight, we analyze Unleashed’s strategic role within the wider Access Group ecosystem and cover its latest production feature enhancements. Xledger: In our ”Channel Focus” segment, we get a partner’s-eye view of the Xledger program—a must-listen for anyone building a partner-led growth motion. Join us for a packed episode of market intelligence to keep your Digital Transformation strategy one step ahead. Learn how to harness EVO in Unleashed pre client meetings. Join our Partner Product Webinar on the 17th November at 9pm GTM - https://hubs.la/Q03Q2dcL0 Find out more about Unleashed - https://hubs.la/Q03Q2cWv0 Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 06:21 App Spotlight: Unleashed’s Role in the Access Ecosystem 15:17 App News 15:32 Sage50 now cloud based? 19:04 Sage X3 next gen launch 25:37 New Intuit Accountant Suite and its AI Agents 28:57 New Kids on the Block: Xero’s October App Store Additions 32:47 HMRC rolls out Copilot 36:25 Unleashed Software Enhances its Production & Inventory Features 40:40 Channel Focus: Xledger from a Partner’s Perspective 50:52 Outro

Welcome to the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast, your essential update on UK Accounting Tech News and Fintech News!  This week, Ryan Pearcy and John Toon discuss the strategies shaking up the software world and the latest app updates you need to know about. First, Ryan speaks with Ben Carter, Product Director for the Small Business Division at Access. Ben shares the vision behind integrating products like Unleashed, MintSoft, and Tradify. He explains their mission to deliver "value in seven minutes" and how they're using AI to revolutionise data onboarding for new trial users.   Then, it's a packed App News segment: Sumday (Xero): An AI bot has been added to the carbon tracking platform to help analyse data and build sustainability business cases. AI-Native Payments: Ryan questions if AI-driven automatic payment runs are a genuine innovation or just a buzzword. Adfin Autopilot: The platform has launched an AI agent to intelligently and automatically chase customer debts. Karbon & Spotlight: A new integration allows firms to automate the scheduling and generation of Spotlight reports directly from Karbon tasks. Katana: The inventory tool for manufacturers has introduced a free plan, limited to 30 SKUs and 3 locations. WorkGuru: The project management tool adds project document templates and an OCR integration with Easy Bills. Employment Hero: The system now automates the complex calculation of leave entitlement for offboarding employees. Cyber Attacks: John covers startling research from FreeAgent showing 6 in 10 UK small businesses were hit by a cyber attack last year. Finally, Kevin Fitzgerald, MD of UK for Employment Hero, returns. He explains the strategic decision to pause and relaunch their bureau program , moving away from a "race to the bottom" on price to a new model focused on integrating HR and payroll services for accounting firms.   This episode is sponsored by Unleashed and Employment Hero.    TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 03:44 Unleashing Success: Inside the Small Business Division at Access 14:18 App News 14:22 Xero adds Sumday AI sustainability analysis 17:06 AI-native payments promise faster cashflow for firms 20:58 Adfin launches Autopilot automation 23:40 Karbon integrates with Spotlight for automated reporting 25:52 Katana introduces free plan for small manufacturers 27:52 WorkGuru adds templates and purchase orders 30:36 Employment Hero automates leave entitlement on offboarding 32:10 FreeAgent: Three in five small businesses hit by a cyber attack 38:00 Transforming Bureaus: Employment Hero's Approach to Payroll and HR Subscribe to our newsletter for more news, and reach out if you're interested in attending the Digital Disruption Awards next year!

This week on the Digi-Tools in Accrual World we share the latest updates in accounting and fintech news.  We kick off with insights on the recent Digital Disruptor Awards and plans for next year’s event.  App News segment covers big names like Iris Software, Telleroo, Xero, and Monzo, with notable updates on faster payments, MTD tools, and AI-driven solutions.  We explore evolving payroll systems, the impact of AI on product development, and integrating multi-functional solutions to streamline business processes and data security.  Don’t miss our discussion on recent AWS outages and their impact on firms, plus the ongoing debate between Xero and QuickBooks users over bank reconciliation. Stay ahead in the world of accounting tech with this comprehensive and engaging episode. 00:00 Introduction 04:44 AI’s Role in Rapid Evolution: A Discussion with Ben Carter / Unleashed App News 15:03 AWS outage slows down multiple SaaS platforms 16:48 Debate: Cloud Dependency and Resilience 20:50 Xero vs QBO: accountants debate the best bank rec tool 27:11 Sage powers Monzo’s new Making Tax Digital tool 28:44 IRIS partners with Telleroo for faster payments 30:31 Modulr’s Confirmation of Payee for Batch Payments 32:14 Pleo launches embedded finance solution for SMEs 35:05 Apron’s Accounts Receivable Tool 38:06 Appventory’s New Onboarding Methods 41:25 Joiin’s Live Data Integration with Excel 45:27 From Fragmentation to Integration: The Evolution of Employment Tools - Employment Hero 55:06 Like and Subscribe!

Get your weekly fix of accounting tech news and fintech news with Digi-Tools in Accrual World. This week, we uncover a shocking new trend: over half of taxpayers are now using AI to prepare their tax returns, but are they ignoring the risks? We debate whether this is an opportunity or a threat for accounting professionals. Next, we explore a critical topic for accountants: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Stu from FreeAgent joins us to explain their unique approach of segregating landlord and sole trader income, and how creating separate ledgers can simplify bookkeeping and boost automation for your clients. Finally, we reveal the hidden impacts of payroll errors. With a staggering 84% of SMEs having experienced a payroll mistake, we discuss how these errors can erode employee trust and create significant compliance headaches. Plus, don’t miss our roundup of the biggest stories in the accounting tech space: ICAEW has launched the biggest overhaul of the ACA qualification in 30 years. TRIVER secures £114m to expand its SME invoice finance platform. Caseware unveils ’Validate’, an AI tool for last-mile audit review tasks. Thomson Reuters acquires AI startup Additive to boost tax automation. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the  Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast! 04:06 Segregating Landlord and Sole Trader Income for MTD - FreeAgent 13:49 App News 13:55 ICAEW launches future proofed qualification 17:20 Majority of taxpayers now using AI for tax returns 20:24 TRIVER secures £114m to expand SME lending platform 23:30 Caseware unveils AI audit tool for ‘last-mile’ review tasks 24:41 Light raises $30m to grow AI-powered finance platform 27:01 Thomson Reuters acquires Additive, boosting AI tax automation 28:32 The hidden impacts of payroll errors - Employment Hero 36:57 Come and join us on the pod!

Welcome back to Digi-Tools in Accrual World, your weekly source for the latest accounting tech news and fintech news! This week, Indi and Ryan dive into a massive wave of AI innovation sweeping the industry. The AI revolution is here! We break down Microsoft’s game-changing ”Agent Mode” for Excel, which promises to automate complex data analysis and reporting tasks. In other huge app news, Karbon has acquired the AI platform Aider to supercharge its practice management capabilities, and Sage is getting ahead of the curve by launching a new AI agent designed to tackle the administrative burden of MTD for ITSA. Join us as we cover all the essential updates you need to know, including: Karbon’s AI Future: An in-depth look at the Aider acquisition and what it means for practice management. Microsoft’s ”Agent Mode”: How AI is about to turbocharge Excel and Word for accountants. Sage’s MTD Agent: A new tool to automate client onboarding and quarterly submissions. App News Round-up: Dext introduces a WhatsApp integration for easy receipt capture, QuickBooks unveils a major UI overhaul, Acting Office integrates with FreeAgent, and Brieff connects with Karbon for smarter meeting workflows. MTD Client Transition: We catch up with Dave from FreeAgent to discuss strategies for moving clients to MTD. Payroll Pitfalls: Kevin Fitzgerald from Employment Hero joins us to explain why running payroll on spreadsheets is a recipe for disaster. This episode is packed with critical insights into the tools and trends shaping the future of accounting. Don’t miss out on the latest fintech news! Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World App News 16:02 Karbon Acquires Aider to Boost AI Capabilities 18:18 Brieff Announces Integration with Karbon 21:16 Dext Introduces WhatsApp Integration 22:26 QuickBooks Unveils New User Interface 24:20 Acting Office Integrates with FreeAgent 28:50 Microsoft Introduces ”Agent Mode” for Excel 32:01 Xero Launches New Partner Hub 34:22 Sage Announces AI Agent for MTD 37:58 Why Running Payroll on Spreadsheets is a recipe for disaster - Employment Hero 44:24 Accountants and Bookkeepers - Come and join us on the pod!

This episode is sponsored by Advancetrack, the go-to outsourcing and podsourcing specialists to help build capacity for your practice.   This week's accounting tech news is dominated by the rapid rise of Accounting AI agents! We take a first look at the US-based “Digits” platform and its AI-powered general ledger, which claims to auto-categorise up to 97% of transactions. We also explore Adsum's new 'Agent Mode' for data interrogation and automated reminders , and discuss how the profession is moving towards a future defined by these specialised AI agents.   Dave Norwell from FreeAgent joins us to tackle the very real challenge of client resistance to MTD for ITSA, sharing common patterns of denial and stressing the need for practices to create a proactive plan. We also round up the latest fintech news, including FYI's new team productivity and interim invoicing tools , a major integration between Active Workpapers and Alphatax for corporation tax , and Xero's new beneficial ownership compliance tool. Finally, James Rose of Content Snare offers his perspective on the accounting tech scenes in Australia and the UK, comparing tech adoption rates and concluding that the UK is much further ahead than many believe.   00:00 Introduction and Event Highlights 04:17 Client Resistance to MTD - FreeAgent App News09:38 FYI Releases Team Productivity and Invoicing Tools12:29 Gather Nexus Announces Integration with QuickBooks Online17:09 Adsum Releases OpenTax Agent Mode in Beta19:25 Active and Alphatax Announce Integration for Corporation Tax22:45 Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Development23:01 Roveel Partners with Tradebox for Enhanced E-commerce Reporting24:40 Xero Releases New Beneficial Ownership Compliance Tool29:33 A First Look at the New “Digits” Accounting Platform35:37 How Agentic AI is Redefining the Future of Accounting 44:29 AU vs UK - Tech and Compliance Readiness - Content Snare54:33 Outro

This week, the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast brings you front-row access to the biggest news in UK accounting tech! We’re fresh from an ”insane week” hosting the Digital Disruptor Awards and we’re recapping all the winners and highlights from the must-attend event. Then, in a special takeover episode, we hand the mic to FreeAgent for an exclusive review into their product roadmap and award-winning strategy. Staff Product Manager Stu McEwan joins us to pull back the curtain on: Strategic Integrations: Why FreeAgent is moving away from a vast ecosystem to focus on selective, ”best-in-class” partners in key verticals like practice management and accounts payable. Award-Winning CIS Module: How listening to accountants shaped a flexible and easy-to-correct CIS solution for both contractors and subcontractors. Practice Efficiency: A look at new tools like ”Find and Fix” for bulk reclassifying transactions and enhanced dashboard controls for managing client tax information and permissions. Serving Larger Clients: How features like enhanced Management Reports, budgeting, and upcoming Tracking Groups are expanding FreeAgent’s capabilities beyond the micro-entity market. A Pragmatic Approach to AI: Why FreeAgent is deliberately focusing on embedded machine learning rather than jumping on the generative AI hype, prioritising solutions that solve real customer problems. Finally, James Rose from Content Snare joins us to discuss his realist take on AI in document collection, arguing why protecting the client experience must come before full automation. Whether you’re looking for the latest accounting tech news, insights from the Digital Disruptor Awards, or a strategic look into FreeAgent’s future, this episode is unmissable. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to the Digitals and the Cruel World Podcast 09:46 Digital Disruptor Award Win - FreeAgent Reaction ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 14:43 App News - FreeAgent Takeover 15:30 Introducing Stu McEwan 16:36 Approach to Integrations 21:04 FreeAgent Card?! 22:09 Practice Management 24:03 Why CIS? 26:35 Voice of the customer 30:00 Find and Fix 35:09 Management Reports 39:16 FreeAgent’s Customer Focus 42:18 Tracking Groups 44:30 Release of the Year 46:30 Hot Topics: Payments and AI ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 54:26 Beyond the Hype: A Pragmatic Approach to AI - Content Snare 01:05:49 Enjoyed the pod? Leave a rating!

Ryan and Indi are back with your weekly dose of accounting tech news and fintech news, headlined by the launch of a new AI-native accounting platform set to challenge the established players - this episode sponsored by Content Snare. The big story this week is the emergence of Artifact AI, an ”agentic AI accountant” backed by a $4 million seed round from Andreessen Horowitz. Is this the beginning of the end for traditional ledgers? Ryan, who has been advising the company, shares his inside take on how these AI-native platforms are built from the ground up to automate workflows and disrupt the market. The news roundup also covers AccountsIQ’s move into non-financial metrics, major compliance updates from Bright and Inform Direct, and Zoho Books’ competitive free plan for MTD ITSA. We’re also joined by Paul Sparkes from iplicit to discuss the power of integration, and why moving from a closed legacy system to a connected ecosystem is critical for the mid-market. Then, James Rose from Content Snare dives deep into security, exploring how to balance robust protection with a simple client experience that finally moves accountants away from insecure email exchanges. 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 07:00 From Closed Systems to Connected Solutions - iplicit 17:58 App News 18:03 Artifact AI Launches New Accounting Platform with $4M Seed Funding 22:21 AccountsIQ Unveils New Non-Financial Metrics Tracking Tool 25:31 Unleashed Enhances Platform with AI and Workflow Updates 27:44 Bright Continues Expansion with Acquisition of The Payroll Centre 30:18 Inform Direct Adds Identity Verification for ECCTA Compliance 31:58 Zoho Books Offers Free Software for MTD ITSA 33:52 Paradigm Launches Innovative Spreadsheet with AI in Every Cell 36:14 Beyond Email: How Content Snare is Revolutionising Secure Document Exchange 46:58 Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a rating!

Indi and Ryan are back with the latest accounting tech news and fintech news, leading with their in-depth Xerocon reaction.  Tickets to the Digital Disruptor Awards are now available: https://digitaldisruptorawards2025.eventbrite.co.uk In this episdoe, sponsored by Tugger, Xero has unveiled its new AI ”Financial Superagent,” an evolution of JAX. But is it a game-changer or a disappointment? The hosts dive deep into the announcement, discussing the agent’s capabilities for providing insights rather than processing transactions, the staggered global rollout which initially excludes the UK, and other key updates from Xerocon, including a new homepage, payment features, and payroll enhancements. The app news doesn’t stop there. The duo also covers Dext’s impressive new AI-powered line item extraction and the latest innovations from QuickBooks, including a ’Pay by Bank’ feature, enhanced CIS functionality, and a direct PayPal integration.  We round off the news with Socket’s new Zapier integration, unlocking more automation for your practice 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 03:05 Solving the Month-End Bottleneck - iplicit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ App News 13:25 Xero Reveals ”Financial Superagent” 15:38 Other Xerocon Announcements and more on JAX 2.0 23:56 Xero Payroll Updates 25:58 Dext Adds AI Line Item Extraction via Unleashed 29:59 QuickBooks Launches New AI-Powered Innovations 34:52 Socket Announces New Zapier Integration ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 36:28 Making it ’Stupid Easy’ for clients to provide MTD info - Content Snare 47:18 Enjoyed the pod? Leave us a rating! This episode’s sponsors: iplicit: https://www.iplicit.com Content Snare: https://contentsnare.com/ Tugger: https://tuggerapp.com

Stay ahead with the latest accounting tech news and fintech news on Digi-Tools in Accrual World. This episode (sponsored by Scoro), we dive deep into two critical areas: AI-driven forecasting and cost-effective client reporting. First, discover how to make budgeting smarter by removing human emotion and bias from your forecasts. We talk with Paul Sparkes about how iplicit's new AI tools are enhancing ERP systems to provide more accurate, data-driven financial projections. Later in the show learn how to unlock better client reporting and simplify your Power BI sharing process with Craig Morrall from Tugger. Plus, get caught up on the biggest headlines in the accounting tech space, including: M&A Alert: Dutch payments giant Mollie in talks to acquire GoCardless. Compliance Tech: How Firmcheck is preparing firms for new Companies House ID verification rules. Feature Updates: Dext introduces live VAT number validation to fight fraud. Industry Trends: Surprising research shows senior accountants are adopting AI faster than juniors. ERP Evolution: Oracle launches a new AI connector for NetSuite to enhance data integration. (00:00) Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World(03:47) Make Budgeting Smarter with AI Forecasting(14:59) App News Roundup(15:04) Mollie in Talks to Acquire GoCardless(17:15) Roveel Rolls Out Summer Platform Upgrades(19:01) Firmcheck Ready to Help Firms Meet New Companies House ID Rules(21:25) Dext Introduces Live VAT Checks(23:56) Accounting Seniors LEAD Juniors in AI Adoption(26:01) Clockwork.ai Partners with Thomson Reuters(29:45) Oracle Launches NetSuite AI Connector(33:22) Xero Urges Government for SME Digital Roadmap(36:59) Unlock Better Client Dashboards for Less(47:27) Leave a rating to help us grow the podcast! This episode's sponsors iplicit: https://www.iplicit.comTugger: https://tuggerapp.comScoro: https://www.scoro.com/

This week’s episode (sponsored by FreeAgent ) dives into the latestaccounting tech news and fintech news, with sharp takes on major acquisitions and the future of user experience. We cover: The big fintech news as Starling acquire Ember — and what it means when a challenger bank strategically pulls the rug out from its high street competitors. Xero's controversial decision to email your clients directly — and the debate on who should own the client relationship. Xero's long-awaited navigation redesign and Syft-powered analytics — and whether this finally brings the user experience up to modern standards. The launch of QuickBooks agentic AI experiences — and how they're leveraging the entire Intuit ecosystem to go beyond simple bookkeeping. Plus: A deep dive into UI/UX with iplicit's CPO Paul Sparks, exploring why modern design and a mobile-first approach are just as critical as the AI hype. We also hear from Tugger's Craig Morrall on why your P&L is only half the story, and how to get true business insight by combining financial and operational data. 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World! 04:43 User Experience Matters: Modernising Accounting Platforms - with Paul Sparks from iplicit05:07 Mobile App Development and User Experience07:08 Platform Usage Analysis by Role08:32 UI/UX Modernisation Plans09:54 AI Assistant Integration 14:31 App News15:18 Starling Bank Acquires Tax Software Ember20:10 Xero will contact your clients on updates23:57 Xero Analytics Gets an Upgrade with Syft27:17 Xero is introducing a redesigned navigation30:34 QuickBooks is launching new agentic AI experiences35:00 Sage has announced the launch of Workforce Intelligence39:05 Sage expands capabilities for Intacct44:10 FreeAgent Adds Excel Export for Management Reports 44:40 Data-Driven Decisions: Combining Financial and Operational Reporting:  with Tugger45:28 Combining Financial and Operational Data48:04 Data Ownership and Reporting Structure50:03 Business Drivers for Integrated Reporting.. 53:27 Legacy Systems Integration55:53 Closing Remarks

This week’s episode (sponsored by Employment Hero) dives into the latest accounting tech news, with sharp takes and practical insights from the team. We cover: Chaser’s new automated late fees and early payment discounts — and why it’s about more than just chasing debt Vinyl’s $2m raise to tackle meeting admin with AI — and whether its specialisation is enough to break through into the overcrowded AI notetaker market FreeAgent’s CIS update for contractors — and why it’s a smart move for a MTD-era market Xero’s long-overdue inventory upgrades and what it means for product-based businesses Dext’s long-awaited prepayments Plus: Tugger’s Power BI integration powered by LLMs, helping firms unlock data insights without a data analyst We also touch on emerging trends in outsourcing, AI-powered forecasting, and much more! 00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast 02:49 What is pod sourcing? || Advancetrack ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 04:56 Market traction and adoption of pod sourcing 06:08 How pod sourcing aligns with AI adoption 08:23 Should firms focus on specialisation over breadth? 10:41 App News ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10:56 Xero upgrades inventory tools 13:54 FreeAgent adds CIS contractor support 15:07 Vinyl raises $2m for meeting automation 19:30 Dext adds prepayments 23:44 Jenesys email cost centre coding 24:40 Briefcase one-click line items 28:22 Chaser launches automated late fees 32:39 Float adds VAT cashflow predictions 35:11 Next-Level Data Insights || Tugger ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 35:48 How AI and LLMs are enhancing data analysis capabilities 40:20 How AI will improve Power BI accessibility and reporting 42:25 Join us at the Digital Disruptor Awards!

In this episode of Digi‑Tools in Accrual World, we dive into the latest accounting tech news, covering everything from MTD developments to Sage’s newest moves, plus updates on tooling that matters to modern practices. We speak with Ian Gregory, CTO of Advancetrack, about the future of outsourcing in accounting, how AI reshapes compliance, and the critical role Advancetrack plays in supporting firms through systemic change. Advancetrack  Later, Craig Morrall joins us to introduce Tugger, a cheekily named, no‑code solution for businesses that securely aggregates data from systems like Xero, HubSpot, Harvest—and delivers it straight into Power BI or Tableau. Tugger  This episode is perfect for: Accounting firms navigating Making Tax Digital (MTD) and digital transformation Practice managers and technology leads monitoring Sage, BrightPay, Xero, and Webexpenses updates Firms seeking smarter outsourced workflows and reporting solutions SaaS partners, vendor teams, and tech consultants who support accountants on their advisory journey 0:00 Intro | 5.33 1:43 AI, Outsourcing & the Future of Accounting – Advancetrack App News 11:23 Xero Small Business Index – June Decline 13:53 Avalara introduces AI tax-query bot 17:12 Sage acquires Fyle for expense automation 20:06 Sage explores automating the financial close 26:45 BrightPay adds new payroll tools 30:50 Xero App Store – July releases 34:05 Xero UK now supports SMS invoicing 35:48 Webexpenses launches digital payment cards 38:11 Introducing Tugger – smarter reporting 48:50 Subscribe to our newsletter

In this week’s episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we cover the latest accounting tech news, fintech news, and explore whether the profession is heading towards factory accounting in the age of AI. From HMRC policy shifts to new automation tools, we unpack the changes shaping compliance, advisory, and the future talent pipeline in accountancy. Timestamps 00:00 Coming Up… 01:31 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World! App News 04:14 HMRC scraps MTD for Corporation Tax 05:39 HMRC sets sights on ‘digital-first’ tax system 10:33 Mayday releases automation for prepayments and deferred revenue 13:30 QuickBooks launches ‘Launchpad’ for product updates 15:34 New QBO accounting agent deepdive 18:50 Alexion.AI launches to empower accountants with automation tools 22:58 Acting Office launches ACCAbot to automate bookkeeping 28:02 36-month SaaS contracts spark debate over pricing traps 33:37 AI Accounting Factories: Myth or reality? | Advancetrack interview 43:45 Thanks for joining us! We dive deep into the tools, policies, and strategies that could redefine your firm’s future. Is AI the key to efficiency, or will over-automation strip away the personal value accountants bring? Listen now for insights on:  • HMRC’s shifting Making Tax Digital strategy  • Fintech product launches that could change your workflow  • The reality behind “factory accounting” and what it means for your career or practice Join us for the Digital Disruptor Awards in Manchester in September: Nomination your heroes for an award: https://forms.gle/vEpPrSitc8k32FzM8 Join the waitlist for tickets https://forms.gle/Vjoff74RN1Njaubw6

In this week’s Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast, we dive into the biggest stories in accounting tech news and talk cybersecurity with Dr Ian Gregory from Advancetrack. From AI-driven hacks to practical steps for protecting your data, this episode is packed with insights every accountant and finance professional needs to hear. 00:00 Coming Up 00:56 Welcome to the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast App News 09:53 Socket x Adfin integration enters beta testing 13:44 Fathom launches Sage 50 Accounts integration and dashboard saved views 15:33 Joiin integrates with Pennylane for faster multi-entity consolidation 18:39 Ignition and Karbon release unified billing and workflow integration 22:27 Landlord Studio partners with Habito to support UK landlords and MTD compliance 24:17 Clio to acquire vLex in a US $1 billion deal 25:57 Campfire raises £28 m illion to expand advisory AI platform 27:39 QuickBooks rolls out new Square Connector for sales and payout sync 30:31 Cybersecurity: Where is your firm’s weakest link? || With Dr Ian Gregory - Advancetrack 39:14 Thanks for joining us - please rate the pod! Join us for the Digital Disruptor Awards in Manchester in September: Nomination your heroes for an award: https://forms.gle/vEpPrSitc8k32FzM8 Join the waitlist for tickets https://forms.gle/Vjoff74RN1Njaubw6

Join us as we flash back to the 2024 Digital Disruptor Awards with guests Aaron Patrick, Zoe Whitman, and Jo Wood, discussing whether vendors have become too good at selling their products. We discuss ’magpie syndrome,’ the importance of focus and effective tech adoption, and the crucial role of vendor support and training. Tune in for honest conversations and insights on how to best navigate the evolving landscape of accounting technology - and a small sample of what’s in store for the 2025 awards evening. Join the shortlist to attend:  https://forms.gle/bLoM8yrQFCLagEnf6 Submit your award nominations: https://forms.gle/izNaQddthqJv9Viy8 00:00 Coming Up 01:17 Welcome to the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast! 02:40 Live Podcast: Have Vendors Got Too Good at Selling? 03:20 Accountants and Magpie Syndrome 05:29 The Need for Focus and Consolidation 06:24 The Importance of Training and Support 16:17 Should Accountants Help Clients Implement Tech? 21:40 Outsourcing and Delegation 26:35 Wrap Up - Leave a like!

In this episode of ‘Digi-Tools in Accrual World,’ - sponsored by Advancetrack Outsourcing - hosts Indi and Ryan bring you the latest news from the accounting tech space, with a big slant on fintech news this week, with Dext’s step into the fintech world with their Airwallex partnership, a major KYC misstep from Monzo, and Adfin shake a leg with DD payouts. Along with the regular news, including ‘practical-AI’ news along with more updates from your favourite accounting tech tools. 00:00 Coming Up… 00:37 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World 05:56 Accounting Tech App News 06:01 Dext enters the payments space 09:38 Companies House rules softened for smaller firms 10:52 Monzo fined for fake Downing Street accounts 15:12 UK firms struggling to turn AI hype into impact 19:27 Build AI-powered booking with Replit & Xero 23:36 Expend adds automated mileage tracking 25:55 Adfin promises faster payouts – settlement speeds improved 28:27 WorkflowMax reflects on a year of change 33:37 Rate the pod!

THE accounting tech news round-up! Still at full strength again this week’s episode - Sponsored by FreeAgent - the Digital Disruptors crew (Ryan, Indi & John) cover a packed episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World – and there’s no shortage of opinion. Headlines this week: - The Big Four slash graduate intake – has AI killed the accounting career ladder? - RSM US pledges $1 billion to agentic AI – bold move or headline fodder? - Karbon’s latest roadmap: task automation, upgraded portals, and smarter inboxes - FYI and BGL link up for automated cosec workflows - Joiin launches an Excel add-in and AI insights for finance teams - Socket drops a slick new leads module – CRMs beware - Visma eyes up a London IPO (yes, London – not New York) - Digits rolls out AI agents that are 8,500x faster than your average bookkeeper (literally) Expect rants. Expect heat. Expect the kind of fintech and accounting tech commentary you don’t get anywhere else. Whether you’re watching the big AI plays, checking in on SaaS product updates, or just here for the banter – it’s all in this week’s pod. 00:00 Coming up on this episode:? 00:47 Welcome to the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast Accounting Tech App news 06:23 Big four slash graduate jobs for AI 12:15 Karbon product roadmap 14:22 Visma picks London to IPO 17:01 Socket Leads module released in beta 19:03 FYI BGL integration 21:03 New Joiin features 23:09 RSM US to invest $1b in agentic AI 27:09 Digits adds AI agents 30:37 Liked the pod? Let us know!

We’ve got the band back together! After a run of solo gigs, Ryan, John and Indi reunite for a full-cast episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World – and just in time. This week - sponsored by iplicit - we’re riffing on Xero’s $2.5 billion acquisition of Melio, their biggest US push to date. But is this bold play a strategic masterstroke or just another vanity signing? Spoiler: The markets aren’t convinced. From dashboard redesigns to Syft-powered analytics and Xero’s growing interest in verticals like healthcare, we break down everything you need to know about their evolving roadmap – and where it might be heading next. Also in this episode:  • iPlicit partners with Cin7 to streamline stock-heavy businesses  • Sage releases a mammoth list of (mostly incremental) updates  • QuickBooks tries to catch up with new budgeting features and AI migration tools  • And we ask: when is it time for your clients to graduate to a PSA? Whether you’re following the latest Xero acquisition news, watching how fintech is reshaping accounting tech, or just here for the banter – this one’s worth tuning in for. This is your backstage pass to the best in fintech news and accounting tech commentary. We cover: • Xero acquires Melio for $2.5bn – what it means and why the market’s lukewarm • Why Xero’s Syft integration matters for analytics (and what UK users can expect) • Fresh UI, smarter dashboards: Xero’s facelift – a genuine revamp or just lip gloss? • iplicit and Cin7 join forces to supercharge wholesale and distribution • Sage’s latest product push: nice ideas, bland delivery • QuickBooks updates its balance sheet budgeting and plays catch-up on automation • Scoro’s take on when clients need to upgrade their systems and grow up Timestamps: 00:00 Coming Up 01:21 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast! 05:38 App News 05:42 Xero to acquire Melio in $2.5 billion deal 11:17 Xero targets healthcare with new systems push 13:26 Xero Analytics gets smarter with Syft integration 15:59 Xero dashboard gets fresh redesign for better user experience 20:02 Xero highlights June apps on its App Store for new integrations 22:37 iplicit and Cin7 strike partnership to boost wholesale distribution automation 25:49 Sage Accounting introduces quick-approval quotes, GoCardless payments, budgeting tools and invoice improvements 29:28 QuickBooks Online rolls out updates to balance sheet reporting and budgeting 41:25 Scoro: How to know if your client needs a PSA 54:14 Thanks for tuning in – please leave a rating and subscribe to future shows! #Xero #XeroAcquisition #XeroAcquireMelio #AccountingTechNews #FintechNews #DigiToolsinAccrualWorld #AppNews