Episodes
-
This week on Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we’re unpacking the biggest headlines in accounting tech news — from game-changing AI features to major payments milestones and strategic acquisitions shaking up the UK accounting software space.
🔍 Top stories:
Sage Intacct launches powerful AI-driven period close tools for mid-market firms
QuickBooks rolls out MTD ITSA tools powered by automation — are they the new frontrunner?
TrueLayer processes £10bn in one month — open banking is now mainstream
iplicit + GoCardless = in-app Direct Debit and smoother mid-market workflows
Brieff expands its AI notetaker to in-person meetings
Briefcase now extracts data from Word and Excel files — not just PDFs
Allica Bank nearly doubles profit, hits £3bn lending milestone
IRIS Elements now FRS 102 compliant
Rippling vs Deel legal drama heats up amid a $450M raise
FreeAgent, Capium, and Bright continue pushing forward with niche tools
Whether you’re advising SMEs, scaling an accountancy firm, or just keen to stay ahead in fintech and software, this episode brings everything together — with commentary, context, and a bit of clarity.
Chapters:
00:00 Coming Up
02:00 Intro & Man Flu Drama
03:18 App News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
04:50 Brieff launches in-person AI notetaker
08:15 QuickBooks unveils AI-driven MTD tools
12:45 Sage Intacct adds AI-powered close tools
17:30 TrueLayer hits £10bn in monthly payments
21:00 Briefcase adds Word & Excel support
23:45 Allica Bank financial results
27:50 iplicit expands GoCardless integration
30:50 IRIS Elements now FRS 102 compliant
33:00 Wrap-up & what’s next
-
No break for us at Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we we’re back straight after Accountex to cover the biggest developments in accounting tech news and fintech innovation fresh off the back of Accountex 2025.
Headlines:
•TaxCalc acquires Engager in a bold play to power up its practice management suite.
•Bright snaps up TimeKeeper to bolster its payroll game — targeting summer 2025 for full integration.
•Capium 365 launches to support MTD ITSA, offering a simplified, client-facing bookkeeping tool.
•FreeAgent drops multiple updates, including Find & Fix, Management Reporting, and AI-powered invoice capture via Jenesys.
•Dwayne Jackson returns with a free CIS compliance app — smart move or Trojan horse? Or both?
•QuickBooks introduces usage caps across plans — time to check your limits.
•Rippling raises $450m, but the Deel lawsuit adds drama to their $16.8B valuation.
•Xero launches Tap-to-Pay via Stripe — now your phone is your card reader.
We also recap our own Accountex circus antics, explore community feedback on our upcoming Digital Transformation Certification, and tease what’s next for accountants looking to modernise.
Perfect for accountants, CFOs, and tech-curious bookkeepers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
00:00 Coming Up
01:05 Intro
09:27 App News
09:31 TaxCalc acquires Engager to boost practice management offering
14:10 Bright acquires TimeKeeper to enhance payroll offering
15:50 Capium launches Capium 365 to tackle MTD complexity
18:28 FreeAgent and Powdr partner on financial modelling for startups
18:57 FreeAgent integrates with Jenesys for AI-powered insights
19:16 FreeAgent unveils new features and AI partnership at Accountex 2025
21:04 KashFlow founder launches CIS compliance app
25:07 QuickBooks introduces usage limits across plans
26:39 Rippling raises $450m at $16.8bn valuation
29:34 Xero launches Tap to Pay for UK businesses
32:23 Close
-
Missing episodes?
-
In this episode of the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast, we jump back int the latest accounting tech news. trends and updates, including Xero and QuickBooks integrations, revenue and profit growth statistics, and the impact of automation and AI.
Join us as we explore new research from Credence Research, the market valuation of the small business accounting software market, and the latest updates from leading providers like Canopy and WorkflowMax. Additionally, we have an insightful interview with Monica Odysseos from Grant Thornton Cyprus, who shares her journey in AI and its transformative effects on the accounting field.
Don't miss out on the essential tech news and expert advice to stay ahead in the industry!
00:00 Coming Up00:55 Welcome!
03:38 App news03:43 Small business accounting software market forecast to 2032 08:35 Xero releases 2025 accounting industry report15:55 HMRC seeks new CRM to replace Salesforce 20:00 MTD proving more expensive for businesses than expected23:07 Canopy raises $70m to scale AI-powered accounting platform 26:21 Xero and BGL announce Workpapers integration partnership29:08 QuickBooks enhances sole trader features for accountants31:57 WorkflowMax delivers March 2025 product updates
34:37 AI in Accounting: Regulation, Implementation and Ethics - Monica Odysseos
-
In this episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we discuss the rapid advancements in AI and their impact on the accounting profession, looking at an insightful report by LinkedIn predicting that 70% of workforce skills will be replaced by AI within five years, and touch on the significant replacement of the bookkeeping workforce.
Updates and innovations from FreeAgent, XLedger, and Dext are highlighted, alongside an engaging interview with Dom Gibbs from S&W and Laura from Xledger, covering strategic outsourcing and technology's role in transforming finance functions.
PLUS previews of what we’re up to at Accountex this year!
Accountaxe: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accountaxe-2025-london-tickets-1235998257059How to effectively partner with vendors: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-transformation-training-tickets-1338884693159
00:00 Coming Up01:04 Intro02:25 Accountex Previews
05:46 App News05:51 The Accountant 207:46 Agentic AI edges closer to mainstream accounting adoption16:25 FreeAgent expands integrations with Stripe and more18:32 Dext launches Vault for AI-powered document storage21:24 Dext rolls out supplier statement matching features24:04 BILL expands into procurement and cashflow management26:30 BILL powers Xero’s US online bill payments28:41 Xero highlights April’s newest app integrations
31:15 Process Outsourcing at scale48:28 Outro
-
In this episode, we unpack the latest in accounting tech news and fintech developments for UK firms and beyond.
We kick off with OpenTax’s new feature for tracking corporation tax deadlines — a smart move for firms managing multiple client obligations. Then it’s over to Wolters Kluwer’s long-awaited cloud tools rollout, where existing customers face dual-platform fees and usage-based pricing as they migrate.
Mid-market ERP is booming. We speak with Xledger and Moore Insight about the tier-two ERP explosion and what makes this segment increasingly attractive for growing businesses and charities.
Plus, there’s a full preview of AccountAxe 2025 — now hosted at Fairgame London with support from Karbon, FreeAgent, Employment Hero, Advancetrack, iPlicit, Xledger and Scoro
Book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accountaxe-2025-london-tickets-1235998257059
Also in the mix:• Airwallex is pursuing banking licences in the UK and US — signalling a major shake-up for cross-border payments, lending, and SME banking.• Xero’s online bill payments go global, now supporting 25+ currencies through Crezco.• Intuit acquires HR platform GoCo, deepening QuickBooks’ suite for SMBs with payroll and human capital management.• Caseware launches Validate, its new financial check automation tool.
We wrap up with ERP consultancy insights and why scalable, cloud-based systems are making Tier 1 look bloated. A must-listen for anyone tracking the future of accounting tech.
00:00 Coming Up00:35 Intro
05:16 App News05:20 OpenTax launches first stage of Corporation Tax tracking07:38 Airwallex to pursue UK and US banking licences12:52 UK online bill payments from Xero go global15:01 Wolters Kluwer rolls out cloud tax and accounts production tools18:44 Caseware launches Validate to automate financial checks20:11 Intuit to acquire HR platform GoCo
23:30 Moving on up from Tier 3: Xledger
-
Digi-Tools in Accrual World - The place for accounting tech news!
In this episode of the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast by Digital Disruptors, we discuss the nuanced landscape of CEO salaries, with a special focus on gender biases and the contrast between different markets.
We take a closer look at MHA's IPO, exploring their growth strategies and valuation concerns. Regulatory issues are also a key topic, with Revolut facing a significant fine for anti-money laundering violations.
Additionally, we delve into the evolving role of technology, sector specialisation in accountancy, and the impact of AI on the profession.
Our episode is sponsored by Advancetrack, and we’re excited to share insights on how MTD public beta testing, voluntary ID checks for directors by Companies House, and news from XLedger are shaping the future of accounting.
0:00 Coming Up1:10 Intro
03:05 App News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~03:10 MTD public beta goes live, Excel (not) dead, One Login security woes05:51 Companies House rolls out identity verification10:35 Xero’s $25m CEO pay package under scrutiny16:07 MHA confirms float date and £269m valuation22:51 UK tech start-up vows to ‘do to Sage what Netflix did to Blockbuster’26:22 Revolut fined €3.5M over money laundering failings
30:02 Showcase your sector expertise with the right finance tech: Xledger
37:17 Don't forget to leave a like or rating!
Join our newsletter: https://digitoolsinaccrualworld.substack.com
-
Welcome to the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Podcast - your place for accounting tech news!
This episode is sponsored by FYI, the new practice management challenger, John and Ryan bravely soldier on without Indi to keep them in line.
They dive deep into Xero's new API-like MCPs, discuss the eye-watering $2.2 billion valuation of Penny Lane, and share updates from a huge week of product releases - from FreeAgent, Intuit TaxCalc Joiin, Workflow Max and Countingup.
00:00 Intro
02:49 App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
02:52 Xero adds MCP server for smarter integrations
08:34 Pennylane doubles valuation to $2.2bn
11:27 FreeAgent rolls out CIS features for contractors
13:49 Intuit adds project tools to enterprise suite
16:39 TaxCalc bridges the MTD spreadsheet gap
25:32 Xero and Sumday partner on free carbon accounting tools
28:20 Countingup introduces new product features
30:55 WorkflowMax shares latest product updates
33:39 Joiin unveils new features in ‘Joiin Unwrapped’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
37:11 From Outsourced Finance Provider to Partner: Winning Against the In-House Trend: Xledger
47:29 Outro
-
In this episode, we chat about Indie’s hollibobs, the exciting space venture by FreeAgent, and mind-blowing AI tools in the accounting world - sponsored by Employment Hero.
Plus, we'll dive into some juicy app news on Xero and discuss the intriguing launch of Vinyl’s private beta and iplicit’s client manager.
Hold on tight as we geek out over Jack 3.0’s cool features and crack up at the idea of being AI's guinea pigs. Don’t miss our convo with FreeAgent’s Tony Stevenson on their latest integrations!
00:00 Intro
02:37 App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
02:41 FreeAgent takes MTD to new heights—literally
05:26 Vinyl launches private beta and lands Google backing
08:22 iplicit unveils BPO-focused client manager tool
10:50 Jenesys introduces AI tools to boost trust and transparency
15:19 Adsum announces OpenTax partner programme.
18:13 MTD for ITSA threshold to drop to £20K in 2028
21:54 Xero highlights new apps in March App Store roundup
24:04 Xero unifies global app partner awards into one programme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
26:00 The FreeAgent Universe is Expanding
-
This episode of the Digitals and Accrual World Podcast is a rollercoaster ride through the latest, juiciest app news. From Rippling's 50-page lawsuit against Deel alleging corporate espionage (yes, we said SPY!) to groundbreaking updates from Xero, Access Group, Bright Pay, and FreeAgent, there's enough drama to rival a Hollywood thriller.
Plus, discover how MTD can now be done from SPACE and why accountants everywhere should be keeping a close eye on Apron's new expense card.
Join Ryan, Indi and John for a wild journey through the ever-accelerating world of accounting technology.
00:00 Coming Up
00:48 Intro
02:46 App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
02:51 🟡 Rippling / Deel legal handbags
07:39 🟡 What's new in Xero
08:32 🟡 Xero + Syft enhancements (vs Fathom)
11:14 🟡 JAX expands
12:24 🟡 Access buy Geo
14:21 🟡 BrightPay to discontinue desktop
15:41 🟡 AIQ launches new workflow approvals
17:04 🟡 Apron launches expense card
24:36 FreeAgent's Journey from 'Contractor Tool' to 'Full Practice Solution' to... space?
36:58 Outro
-
Join us for this special DAS episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World - with the inside scoop from Dan Cockerton on the sale of the show, latest integrations from FreeAgent and the very latest in AI and App Accounting News.
A perfect companion for your train / plane / drive to Battersea!
00:00 Coming Up
01:02 Welcome back!
App News
04:17 📍 Digits debuts AI accounting tool
07:50 📍 iplicit Gocardless partnership
09:06 📍 Mimo raise $8.5m
11:18 📍 Oaknorth to be parent of CUB
14:16 📍 Services as software
17:40 📍 Tugger releases partner program
18:26 📍 Transplants not deemed exempt
20:36 FreeAgent: Integrations Progress
25:09 Dan Cockerton: DAS and beyond
36:29 See you at DAS!
-
Making Tax Digital is back on everyone’s radar as we chat to Tony from FreeAgent and hear some of the highlights from John’s chats at FAB, with Tom Herbert, Jenesys, FYI.
Love it or loathe it - MTD is coming.
Outside of the fascinating world of MTD, we have the usual updates in App News, including Indi’s analysis on embedded finance.
00:00 Coming Up…
01:00 Intro
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
04:01 Adfin lands $8m
07:36 Allica launches buy to let mortgages
12:21 Allica rebrand
13:58 Gocardless partners with Pipe
18:12 FreeAgent integrate with Mimo
18:56 Translucent launches prepayments and deferred revenue
22:04 CAS360 launches in the UK
23:29 iplicit (once again) fastest growing firm
26:04 Expensify opens travel management tool
30:25 MTD - Not Going Away (FreeAgent)
40:08 Absolutely FABulous
01:00:59 Like and subscribe!
-
In this episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World is all about control. Controls for accelerating - not slowing - a scaling business, DOGE clampdowns, visits to Westminster and making the bold choice to identify as a person with hair.
Ever thought implementing controls would slow your biz down?
Think again!
00:00 Coming Up01:28 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~App News09:33 2025 Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report16:33 Jenesys launch Jackpod19:09 Xero launches Xero Simple22:55 Xero launches Reconcile period24:32 Xero offers commission for referrals26:35 Xero February apps of the month28:28 Dext SSO30:06 US DOGE fires free tax-filing team in US~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30:59 Boring but Sexy: Controls and Procedures - Stuart Hurst45:10 Rate the pod!
-
As the end of Q1 is in sight, we start to question what can be achieved once the baseline goal of increasing efficiency is solved?
Indi shares her view on the one-person, AI-powered Unicorn and Alex Kesselman talks about how ApprovalMax has evolved from it’s core ‘approvals’ fortress in response to customers developing needs.
As ever, we have all the updates form our space, including: AI-powered 24/7 support by FYI Docs, NetSuite’s massive platform migration, and Caseware’s shiny new acquisitions and AI assistants. Get ready to be amazed by Blake Oliver’s killer use case for AI in pricing decisions and catch an insightful chat.
00:00 Coming up…
00:50 Welcome!
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
03:37 IRIS confirms Taxfiler sunset
04:03 Netsuite migrates to Oracle Autonomous for AI
05:29 FYI launches 24/7 support
08:43 CaseWare acquires Extractly.ai
11:38 How to validate your pricing with AI
15:22 Evolving Product for Evolving Needs - ApprovalMax
22:58 Science Fiction becoming closer to reality?
26:49 Like and subscribe
-
Welcome to another exciting episode of Digitals in Accrual World!
This week, we're dissecting the latest tech updates in the accounting world.
FreeAgent introduces property ownership splitting for the MTD rollout, GoCardless partners with Form3 to enhance BACS payment connectivity, Link My Books joins the Visma family, and Ignition debuts auto-pricing tools to streamline revenue operations. We also delve into Modulr's integration with Nomi for seamless payroll payments and Ecologi's acquisition of Net Zero Now to help businesses achieve net-zero emissions.
Plus, an insightful interview with Matt Lowry from ApprovalMax on combatting fraud in the age of AI. Stay tech-savvy and fraud-free, folks!
00:00 Coming Up00:50 Intro~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~App News03:05 FreeAgent Update: Line by line property split 03:53 GoCardless to provide BACs payments04:58 Linkmybooks joins Visma07:34 Ignition introduces autopricing09:44 Modulr Nomi integration11:19 Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~16:36 Combatting Fraud - ApprovalMax23:44 Like and Subscribe
-
Get ready to dive back into the world of tech in accounting with the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast! In this episode, the team tackles everything from e-invoicing and how it's revolutionising the industry (or not), to the Sage Copilot data blunder that even got America's attention.
We've got updates from Xero, memorable moments from mid-market maestro Laura Jolly from Xledger, and a serious discussion on pushing the limits with tech and risk-taking in the accounting world. Tune in for the insights, stay for the laughs, and leave with some actionable takeaways to rock your accounting game!
00:00 Coming Up…
01:17 Intro
~~~~~~~~~~
App News
02:49 The UK government launches a consultation on E-invoicing
08:57 Sage Updates
13:02 Sage Copilot Data Breach
15:06 Updates From Xero
18:47 Xero's most popular apps of 2024
20:59 Xero API increase~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22:55 Streamlining Bank Automation with Xledger
30:05 Accounting Skills Gap - Finance Takes The Piste Part 3
49:44 Outro
-
In this episode of Digi Tools in Accrual World we discuss the evolving skills required in today's AI-driven environment, focusing on the importance of retaining human advisory roles amidst technological disruption.
We hear from more of the though leaders at the Finance Takes the Piste event - including though from Alastair Barlow, Krissy Chapleo, Gavin Spencer, Sam Jennings and Antoaneta Pop.
We also have key updates and leadership changes in App News from leading accounting tech firms like Ignition, WorkflowMax, and Dext, and take a deeper look into the innovations in ESG reporting by Xledger.
00:00 Coming Up...
01:09 Welcome!
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
05:02 Ignition appoint new CEO & CFO
08:15 Workflow Max Releases
11:03 Aslan gets $5m seed investment
14:31 Companies House agent filing system launches
18:34 Intuit launches QBO & Mailchimp interface
21:32 Dext integrates with Zoho
22:29 Brieff launches AI notetaker
26:39 ESG Reporting - Xledger
34:16 John's Hazy Ski Trip Memories
35:13 Finance Takes the Piste - Pt 2 - The skills the profession needs next
43:26 Rate and subscribe!
-
Welcome back, digital disruptors! In this explosive episode of the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast, we take AI models head-to-head to see which one might best for accountants in practice
ChatGPTDeepseekClaudePerplexityWe’ve also got the latest App News and exclusive inside gossip and insights from the recent Finance Takes the Piste ski trip!
00:00 Coming Up
02:27 Hello!
05:18 Finance Takes The Piste Recap
06:47 Agent AI
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~
08:35 AI Models for Accounting Firms
12:44 Sage CoPilot Misfire
14:21 Vertice Raise $50m
17:24 AI Line Item Extraction From Briefcase
19:00 iplicit secure £25m
21:05 Xero App Store Updates
23:44 Hedgeflows secures expanded FCA approval
25:42 Accurise on Delivering Outsourced Finance for Mid-Tier Businesses
Piste Artists
~~~~~~~~~~~
33:36 Paul Barnes - The right EBIDTA… for your practice
34:43 Fraser Campbell - The right EBIDTA… for PE
36:24 Paul Barnes - Timesheets, yes or no?
37:28 Pete Everett - Skills of the 'firm of tomorrow'
41:57 Graeme Tennick - Finding the skills we already have
44:40 Jonathan Gaunt - Rockstars vs Superstars
47:24 Like and Subscribe!
-
In this episode of the Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast we cover the recent shocking acquisition of Bench and what it means for AI in bookkeeping, Ryan Pearcy's gets his Jackanory on with the rest of App News
Plus, hear about Capitalise's game-changing collaboration with Plaid, the new automation marvel 'With Otto,' and Pete Hucker from Xledger gives us insights into the difference between accounting in Norway and the UK.
And Indi’s health tips are back - but is it enough to save Ryan’s fragile frame?
00:00 Coming Up
01:49 Intro
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
App News
03:36 Bench Pressed Out of Business
10:14 FYI Launch new integration with companies house
10:57 Thomoson Reuters Acquire SafeSend
13:51 Number Ninja Launches 'With Otto'
16:01 Capitalise integrates with Plaid
19:06 OpenTax Adds Notifications
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19:58 XLedger: UK vs Norway
25:49 Ryan's Aging Vessel
28:39 Like and rate the pod!
-
We dive into App News with multiple stories coming from the Government - but will their involvement help or hinder business and tech?
Still missing our third wheel, John Toon, Ryan and Indi bring you a shorter, but perfectly formed update from the world of accounting tech.
00:00 Coming Up
01:43 Intro
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
04:23 UK AI Growth Plans
08:39 Gov't announce 'new' MTD Sage deal
10:09 Xero Award Win
11:16 Silverfin Docusign Integration
12:57 Caseware Appoint new CEO
15:50 AccountsIQ acquire ExpenseIn
17:50 Rate and subscribe!
-
Easing back into the year, Ryan and Indi tackle the usual latest App News, the shift towards multi-entity and intercompany accounting, the latest in accounting AI with Truewind’s $13M Series A funding, and how businesses can now bid goodbye to AvaTax on Shopify Plus.
Also, find out about the cool new tools from Translucent, Active Workpapers, and Bright's shiny new accounts production tool.
00:00 Coming Up
01:44 Intro
App News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
06:17 Truewind Raise $13million
09:29 Translucent
11:14 Active Workpapers
15:45 Shopify Binning AvaTax
16:49 Bright Accounts Production
20:20 WorkflowMax ❤️ Airwallex
22:36 Leave us a review
- Show more
