Digi-Tools In Accrual World

Xero API Pricing, App Awards & The "Function Creep" of Accounting Tech

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

Curve’s £120m exit, TaxPad’s return and Expensify’s hybrid AI agent

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!

PwC’s AI audit bet, Intuit's agent army and the rise of mid-market outsourcing

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

Firms planning to spend big on AI || Accounting Tech News

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

AI Agents, Cloud Moves & Channel Strategy: Unpacking Sage, Intuit & Xledger

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

Cyber Threats, Smart Reports and AI Sustainability Tools || Accounting Tech News

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!

Amazon Shrugged || Accounting Tech News

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!

Taxpayers Turn to AI | MTD for Landlords & The Hidden Cost of Payroll Errors | Accounting Tech News

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!

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