20.9K
Downloads
148
Episodes
The go-to place for all things cloud accounting and digital. Find out the latest in accounting app news and exclusive interviews with cloud pioneers in the accounting industry.
Episodes
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Welcome back to Digi-Tools in Accrual World! We are kicking off 2026 with a packed episode of accounting tech news and fintech news to help you navigate the year ahead.
Join John Toon, Ryan Pearcy, and Indi Tatla as they look at the latest launches, from the world's first "AI CFO" to major platform updates from the industry giants. Plus, the team breaks down bold predictions for the profession - is the manual month-end close dead?
In this episode, we cover:
-
Nume Launch: We analyse the release of Nume, the "first AI CFO". Is this $99/mo tool a threat or an opportunity for accountants?
-
Intuit Accountants Suite: A look at Intuit’s massive redesign, including the new "close books at scale" feature and AI-powered client insights.
-
Fintech & Capital: Updates on the QuickBooks Capital Marketplace, featuring new integrations with Adsum for instant VAT refunds and YouLend for working capital.
-
Iris Elements Summary: A review of Iris’s 2025 updates, including new large-firm features, IFRS support, and the long-awaited tax anomaly detection.
-
2026 Predictions: We debate Digits CEO Jeff Seibert's claim that the month-end close will be fully automated by the end of this year.
-
Future Trends: Insights from Wallester on why real-time finance and spend management are becoming the new advisory standard.
-
Solver's New AI: A look at Solver’s new AI-driven supply chain management solution for manufacturing and logistics clients.
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by iplicit, the award-winning mid-tier accounting software.
Subscribe for more insights into the digital evolution of accounting!
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Join Indi, Ryan, John and Leigh for the Digi-Tools in Accrual World Year-End Special - sponsored by Advancetrack.
In this episode, the team gathers in the studio to wrap up a massive year in accounting tech news.
We break down the most controversial and exciting stories of 2025, from Xero and QuickBooks Online introducing strict usage caps to the explosion of fintech news surrounding AI agents and automated ledgers. We also cover major acquisitions, including the TaxCalc and Engager merger, and discuss the latest feature drops from Dext and FreeAgent.
Finally, we gaze into the crystal ball to share our predictions for 2026. Will AI replace compliance? Is e-invoicing about to change everything? Tune in to find out.
In this episode, we cover:
00:00:00: Welcome to the Christmas Special
00:02:41: Xero and QBO Fair Use Policies & Usage Caps
00:05:48: MTD for Income Tax Product Releases
00:07:22: FreeAgent Files MTD from Space
00:09:28: The Launch of Vinyl & AI Advisory
00:12:13: Digits Releases AI-Powered Ledger
00:14:23: Major Dext Feature Updates
00:17:25: TaxCalc Acquires Engager & Pricing Controversy
00:20:36: Intuit Platform & New AI Agents
00:23:58: CIS Features for QBO and FreeAgent
00:24:56: iplicit and Cin7 Integration
00:25:51: The Impact of API Charges 00:28:43: Digital Disruptor Awards Recap 00:30:50: Predictions for 2026
Subscribe for more insights into the world of accounting technology!
Monday Dec 22, 2025
Monday Dec 22, 2025
In this episode of Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we break down a massive fortnight of news in the accounting tech ecosystem. From leadership changes at the top of the UK’s biggest platforms to the "unbundling" of SaaS pricing, we analyse the strategic moves that will define 2026.
The Big Xero Shift: The team reacts to the continued fallout from Xero’s new API pricing model and the news that Alex von Schirmeister is stepping down to join Nomentia. We discuss whether Xero is moving away from "inclusivity" as it pivots toward profitability.
The AI Reality Check: Despite the hype, recent data shows a decline in active generative AI usage in the workplace. We explore why Microsoft Copilot is struggling to gain traction and why "Ask Digits" represents the future of AI as a primary software interface.
Acquisitions & Payments: We look at the strategic implications of Mollie acquiring GoCardless for £1.1bn and how Intuit is tightening its grip on the UK market with the official launch of QuickBooks Payments.
Strategic Pricing: Finally, we analyse Unleashed Software’s move to "unbundle" its pricing. Is functionality-driven pricing the new standard for SaaS?
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Welcome To Digi-Tools in Accrual World
App News
03:08 Ecosystem Friction: Developers React to Xero's API Pricing Model
10:42 Leadership Change: Alex von Schirmeister Steps Down at Xero
17:56 Xero Update: MTD Support for Multiple Businesses
19:02 M&A Alert: GoCardless Acquired by Payments Giant Mollie
23:33 Why Microsoft is Struggling with AI Agent Traction
32:33 The AI Dip: Workplace Surveys Show Usage Decline
35:58 App Spotlight: Digits Unveils "Ask Digits" AI Interface
38:06 QuickBooks Payments Officially Launches in the UK
40:06 Intuit's "Agentic" Capabilities for QuickBooks & MailChimp
43:52 Briefcase Platform: Absorbing Complex Tax Codes via AI
46:07 SaaS Strategy: Unleashed Unbundles Pricing & Inventory Features
49:53 Like, Subscribe and Join Us!
Keywords / Hashtags: #AccountingTech #Xero #Intuit #QuickBooks #GoCardless #Mollie #SaaSStrategy #AI #GenerativeAI #FinTech #Unleashed #SaaSActivation #ChannelStrategy
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
This week on Digi-Tools in Accrual World, John Toon joins Indi from Las Vegas to unpack a massive week in accounting tech.
We cover Thomson Reuters' major move to integrate their PPC methodology with AI audit partners like Trullion and Fieldguide. We also break down Xero's two biggest announcements: the "JAX" powered automated bank reconciliation that learns from your history, and a complete overhaul of the dashboard into a "financial command center".
Plus, we discuss the confirmation of a "soft landing" for MTD for Income Tax penalties and the UK Budget’s surprise announcement mandating B2B e-invoicing by 2029.
0:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World!
App News
02:49 Thomson Reuters Integrates PPC Methodology with AI Audit Partners
06:50 Xero Rolling Out JAX-Powered Bank Reconciliation
11:00 New Xero Homepage Dashboard Launched
16:03 Xero Celebrates Ecosystem Innovation with November Updates
17:34 MTD Penalty Soft Landing Confirmed
21:43 Budget 2025 Mandates E-Invoicing by 2029
22:50 Like and Subscribe!
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
This week on Digi-Tools in Accrual World, we dive deep into the biggest accounting tech news of the week. Indi is joined by accounting tech veteran Leigh Stallard to break down the "spicy" new tiered pricing model for the Xero API - a move that could change the landscape for Xero's ecosystem.
We discuss whether this is a strategic defensive play or a barrier to innovation. Plus, we cover MIMO's new AI Associate for month-end automation, TaxCalc’s unique hybrid cloud announcement, and FreeAgent’s latest MTD controls.
Chapter Markers
00:00 - Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World
02:41 - App News
02:46 - Partners celebrated in 2025 Global App Awards
05:21 - Developers face new tiered pricing model for Xero APIs
14:35 - Reporting updates include percentage rows and better Excel formatting retention
16:26 - November update adds purchase order revisions and pause timers for billing
18:37 - New controls from FreeAgent launched for MTD for Income Tax
21:21 - Live two-way integration with Engager removes data re-keying requirements
23:09 - TaxCalc confirms hybrid future with browser-based option for compliance suite
29:04 - Mimo releases AI Associate to automate month-end journals and anomalies
34:04 - Rate and Subscribe
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
The Taxfiler founders are back with TaxPad, a new compliance suite for smaller firms, but will accountants trust them after the sale to Iris? Ryan and Indi discuss the market’s cautious reaction and whether a commitment to not sell is enough .
This week's accounting tech news:
Fintech Exits: Lloyds Banking Group acquires Curve for £120m—less than half of what the fintech raised—marking a sobering reality for valuations. Meanwhile, US spend management platform Ramp hits a massive $32bn valuation.
AI Agents: Expensify releases a "hybrid contextual AI expense agent" that works across the platform .
Compliance & Audit: TaxCalc launches biometric ID checks for Companies House verification , and Caseware brings group audit functionality to the cloud .
New Tools: TaxNav launches a simple bridging tool for landlords, Solver integrates with Microsoft Fabric, and BrightPay Cloud introduces a new app for employees.
Finally, John Toon speaks with Peter Hucker from Xledger about the friction in the audit process . They discuss how giving auditors read-only access and using automation for month-end accruals can solve the annual audit pain for mid-market finance teams.
Timestamp
00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World!
App News
02:47 Taxfiler founders return with TaxPad
08:16 TaxCalc launches biometric ID checks
11:02 Expensify releases hybrid AI expense agent
14:14 Caseware brings group audit functionality to the cloud
15:51 Lloyds Banking Group acquires fintech Curve for £120m
20:01 Solver announces new data integration with Microsoft Fabric
21:47 TaxNav launches simple MTD bridging tool for landlords
22:49 Ramp hits $32bn valuation in latest funding round
27:00 BrightPay Cloud introduces new manager and employee app
28:46 The Problem With Audit...
38:57 Rate and Subscribe!
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Monday Nov 24, 2025
Is the audit profession under threat from AI? Ryan and Indi discuss a viral discussion sparked by a graduate questioning if they should accept a Big Four internship given PwC's heavy investment in AI audits.
The hosts discuss whether automation will replace juniors or simply change the nature of the work.
Also - this week in accounting tech news:
Intuit and OpenAI: Intuit announces a strategic partnership with OpenAI to power new AI agents across Credit Karma and TurboTax.
Digits' Bold Claim: The platform says it can automate the monthly close and bank reconciliations to save significant time on manual work.
New Entrants: Record OS launches to fix the data collection bottleneck for self-assessments, whilst Vinyl releases a mobile app to capture client meeting data.
Integration News: Karbon connects with Active Workpapers and Socket, whilst FreeAgent integrates with Pleo via Shift API.
Plus, good news for the industry as Mazuma founder Lucy Cohen is appointed President of the AAT.
Finally, Ryan speaks with Anoop Rehal from BKL for the Xledger spotlight. They discuss why mid-market firms are turning to outsourcing to solve talent gaps and how moving away from complex app stacks to modern ERPs helps drive efficiency.
➡️ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Digi-Tools in Accrual World podcast!
03:32 PwC bets big on AI audits
10:37 Intuit deploys AI agents across Credit Karma and TurboTax
14:50 Karbon connects with Active and Socket
16:22 FreeAgent connects with Pleo
19:47 Digits claims to fully automate the monthly close using AI bank reconciliation
21:36 New entrant Record OS launches to fix the self-assessment bottleneck
23:52 Vinyl launches a mobile app to help accountants manage meetings on the go
27:30 Dext releases November product updates
28:43 AAT appoints Mazuma founder Lucy Cohen as its new president
32:34 Mid-Market Outsourcing: Solving Talent Gaps and Tech Stacks with BKL - Xledger
44:16 Rate, like and subscribe
Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
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
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
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
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
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.
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
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!