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

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 Up

03:38 App news

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-1235998257059

00:00 Coming Up

05:46 App News

31:15 Process Outsourcing at scale

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:

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 Up

05:16 App News

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 Up

03:05 App News

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!