Digi-Tools In Accrual World

AI Agents Take Over Excel, Karbon & Sage | Dext on WhatsApp & QuickBooks UI Update | Accounting Tech News

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!

The Rise of AI Agents, Digits Focus & UK vs AU Tech Readiness

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

FreeAgent's Next Moves: Deep Dive on CIS, AI & New Features | Digital Disruptor Awards Recap

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
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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!

Artifact AI's Debut, iplicit's Cin7 Deal & Zoho's MTD Gambit || Accounting Tech News

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!

Xerocon Reaction: Xero's AI Superagent, QuickBooks Pay by Bank & Dext's Power Move

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

AI-Powered Accounting Tech | Key Updates from Oracle, Dext, iplicit and Tugger

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.com
Tugger: https://tuggerapp.com
Scoro: https://www.scoro.com/

Starling Acquires Ember, QuickBooks Gets Agentic AI & Xero Emails Your Clients | Accounting Tech News

This week’s episode (sponsored by FreeAgent ) dives into the latest
accounting 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 iplicit
05:07 Mobile App Development and User Experience
07:08 Platform Usage Analysis by Role
08:32 UI/UX Modernisation Plans
09:54 AI Assistant Integration

14:31 App News
15:18 Starling Bank Acquires Tax Software Ember
20:10 Xero will contact your clients on updates
23:57 Xero Analytics Gets an Upgrade with Syft
27:17 Xero is introducing a redesigned navigation
30:34 QuickBooks is launching new agentic AI experiences
35:00 Sage has announced the launch of Workforce Intelligence
39:05 Sage expands capabilities for Intacct
44:10 FreeAgent Adds Excel Export for Management Reports

44:40 Data-Driven Decisions: Combining Financial and Operational Reporting:  with Tugger
45:28 Combining Financial and Operational Data
48:04 Data Ownership and Reporting Structure
50:03 Business Drivers for Integrated Reporting..

53:27 Legacy Systems Integration
55:53 Closing Remarks

FreeAgent’s CIS Boost, Vinyl’s Raise & Chaser’s Late Fee Automation: The Latest in Accounting Tech News

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!

Sage, MTD and the Future of Outsourcing || Accounting Tech News

In this episode of Digi‑Tools in Accrual World (sponsored by Xledger) 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 

 

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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

Will AI Turn Accountants & Bookkeepers into Factories?

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