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

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!

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!

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!