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.

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

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 News 09:38 FYI Releases Team Productivity and Invoicing Tools 12:29 Gather Nexus Announces Integration with QuickBooks Online 17:09 Adsum Releases OpenTax Agent Mode in Beta 19:25 Active and Alphatax Announce Integration for Corporation Tax 22:45 Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Development 23:01 Roveel Partners with Tradebox for Enhanced E-commerce Reporting 24:40 Xero Releases New Beneficial Ownership Compliance Tool 29:33 A First Look at the New “Digits” Accounting Platform 35:37 How Agentic AI is Redefining the Future of Accounting

44:29 AU vs UK - Tech and Compliance Readiness - Content Snare 54:33 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!