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?

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

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!

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