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 00:55 Welcome!

03:38 App news 03:43 Small business accounting software market forecast to 2032 08:35 Xero releases 2025 accounting industry report 15:55 HMRC seeks new CRM to replace Salesforce 20:00 MTD proving more expensive for businesses than expected 23:07 Canopy raises $70m to scale AI-powered accounting platform 26:21 Xero and BGL announce Workpapers integration partnership 29:08 QuickBooks enhances sole trader features for accountants 31:57 WorkflowMax delivers March 2025 product updates

34:37 AI in Accounting: Regulation, Implementation and Ethics - Monica Odysseos