Digi-Tools In Accrual World DigiTools-In-AccrualWorld

Have you caught the news on the latest apps in the market?
There are some new kids on the block in payment automation apps, and we’re keen to hear from some of the OGs to find out their perspectives and lessons learned on market trends/adoption over the last two years. We spend some time with Joe Lines, CEO of Nook, to talk about tech innovations, future features and the appetite from SMEs for more. 

Tune in if you’re looking to compare the market on AP or AR automation.

We also spend some time with Vipul Sheth, whose upcoming pre Accountex event is imminent. If you’re not on his list and want to see whether you’d benefit then here’s 8 minutes from the man himself.

Finally app news this week:
Phil Hobden joins Silverfin - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/philhobden_accountex-accountants-fintech-activity-7181574519524839424-FrEF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Diya Jolly promoted to CPTO - https://www.xero.com/uk/media-releases/diya-jolly-promoted-chief-product-and-technology-officer/

Five vendors for MTD ITSA release - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/five-vendors-available-as-hmrc-readies-mtd-itsa-testing-relaunch

Spendesk acquires Okko - https://www.pymnts.com/acquisitions/2024/spendesk-adds-procurement-to-spend-management-platform-with-okko-acquisition/

Xero new invoicing - https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/xero-invoicing-smarter-flexible-future/

Syft updates
Scrutton Bland acquired by Sumer - https://www.accountancyage.com/2024/04/10/sumer-expands-scottish-and-northern-english-footprint-with-merger-of-eq-and-douglas-home-co/

Apron, the AP accounting tech focusing on all things payable, has been on a mission for some big software releases since it burst onto the scene late last year post their Series raise. We catch up with Bogdan Uzbekov about his plans to service the accounting market and plans to go into banking, carding or lending. Hear more here.

And this week in app news:

Iplicit – 18th fastest growing UK business - https://www.ft.com/ft1000-2024?utm_content=284715055&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-10141131
Iplicit is best MAT tool – MAT awards - https://www.iplicit.com/blog/iplicit-secures-tech-company-of-the-year-accolade-at-na[…]tm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-10141131
Allica bank integrates with Sage and Xero - https://www.assetfinanceinternational.com/index.php/technology/technology-archive/technology-articles/23570-allica-bank-announces-integrations-with-sage-and-xero-accounting-platforms
Coconut acquires MyPAYE https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/coconut-owners-acquire-cloud-payroll-tool-mypaye
Xero announces exciting payroll changes - migration made easy - https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/new-changes-in-xero-payroll-uk/
Capium releases new time and fees - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/practice-software/capium-releases-new-time-and-fees-tracking-module
Zahara custom fields and payments 
Dext due dates extraction - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephenedginton_we-now-extract-due-dates-via-ai-dext-used-ugcPost-7170766424586588160-5sX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Nook app updates - payment run resolutions & ability to change scheduling dates on payments and rules & pre-warning of shortage of funds. Payments for payroll via the app!
BBC AI taking grind out of accountancy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68553123

Join John while he interviews Vidya Peters on her time so far with Datasnipper. Ex-Marqeta COO, Vidya was appointed CEO of Datasnipper, an intelligent automation platform that recently raised $100 million in a Series B funding round at a valuation of $1 billion. John catches up with Vidya to find out the plan for growth in the UK and all things accounting.

Also we find time with Vipul Sheth, CEO of AdvanceTrack, to talk more on the opportunity for mid-tier firms and trends he’s seen on recruitment of talent in the space.

In this week’s app news:

Bye bye Xero Go - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/siwoodhams_uk-mobile-app-xero-go-to-be-retired-xero-activity-7173598209813000193-UCSa?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios, https://blog.xero.com/product-updates/retiring-xero-go/
Alex Von Schirmeister expans role to EMEA - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexander-von-schirmeister-045375_i-am-delighted-to-have-been-asked-to-expand-activity-7170458969570758656-h3V9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Xero payroll Bureau product
Xero releases JAX - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/xero-backs-generative-ai-to-accelerate-software-shift-to-mobile
Sage co-pilot - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/sage-unveils-cross-platform-generative-ai-copilot-tool
RP - Sage expands construction solutions with acquisition - https://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/sage-expands-and-enhances-construction-solutions/
QBO confirms FRS102 and personal tax filing - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/quickbooks-confirms-frs-102-and-personal-tax-filing
Datasnipper - $1B valuation - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/abigail-weir-b68917198_thank-you-nyse-for-inviting-the-datasnipper-ugcPost-7171978576378994688-ruLq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Wolters Kluwer unveils CCH IFIrm cloud tax and accounting https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/practice-software/wolters-kluwer-unveils-cch-ifirm-cloud-tax-and-accounting-platform
Wolters Kluwer release AML for CCH Ifirm https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/wolters-kluwer-releases-cloud-aml-module-for-cch-ifirm
Apron invoice capture released - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/apron-serves-up-invoice-capture-tool-to-streamline-accounting-data
MTD ITSA testing starts 22/4 - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tax/hmrc-policy/hmrc-to-kick-off-mtd-itsa-testing-on-22-april
Pleo – invoice approvals, invoice status, employee reimbursements 
Pleo pricing changes – Pleo’s Advanced Plan starts at £99/month - and includes new releases such as spending budgets, SaaS vendor cards and higher overdraft limits. Cashback contracts require minimum 12-month commitment with upfront payment
Lightyear employee expenses - https://www.lightyear.cloud/features/expenses

This week we are joined by MD of Major’s Accounts, Eriona Bajrakurtaj, who talks about her entrepreneurial journey from very humble beginnings to being one of the most enterprising female entrepreneurs in the accountancy industry. If you’re looking at how to shake up your Practice and press a hard reset, give this a listen to see if Eriona’s playbook could work for you.

Also we’re joined by Vipul Sheth, the CEO of AdvanceTrack Outsourcing, who talks about the value of his tech stack and data. Outsourcing is not for every firm but at a time where finding good talent is not easy, AdvanceTrack are leading the way on remote management of resources with a tech first approach.

Finally in this week’s app news:


Pento acquired by HiBob - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonasboegh_glad-youre-here-welcoming-pento-to-the-activity-7163092169174589440-cVuS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

QBO – advanced forecasts - https://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/quickbooks-online-advanced-financial-forecasts/

QBO standard payroll replaced by Core 

QBO Bureau payroll launches 

Revolut to release Billpay later 2024 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marcelvanoost_banking-digitalbanking-businessbanking-activity-7165618394849882113-ovG9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

KPMG launches AI tax tool with Blue J - https://www.accountancyage.com/2024/02/22/kpmgand-blue-j-launch-ai-tax-tool/

Chaser releases auto-call - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/soniadorais_automation-chaser-accountsreceivables-activity-7165753014652223489-4KcQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

FreeAgent Dext Prepare integration - https://www.freeagent.com/blog/dext-prepare/

FreeAgent extends Amazon integration - https://www.freeagent.com/blog/extending-amazon-integration-reach/

Mayday intra entity recharging 

End of the road for TAS Books - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/tasbooks-heads-for-the-exit-door

Capium releases Time & Fees - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/introducing-capiums-new-time-fees-software-for-the-accounting-and

Companies House fee increases, plus digital only - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/business/financial-reporting/companies-house-fees-set-to-rise

This week we’re joined by the super impressive Sabby Gill who talks to us about how Dext has levelled up on its core product, Bookkeeping Data Automation. We cover latest changes and priorities for the business as well as Dextension and the application of AI in the roadmap.

Also in this week’s app news:

End of QB desktop in US? - https://insightfulaccountant.com/accounting-tech/general-ledger/is-july-31-2024-the-end-of-quickbooks-desktop/

Datasnipper valuation $1bn - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/youssefhounat_datasnipper-startup-that-uses-ai-to-eliminate-activity-7158781672820264960-4IM-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Pennylane becomes unicorn -https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/07/accounting-software-startup-pennylane-becomes-frances-latest-unicorn/

ChangeGPS will be part of Access - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidboyar_i-am-thrilled-that-the-next-phase-of-changegps-activity-7158562132257566724-zPMn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Classic invoicing is retiring – Xero – App news channel 30/1/24

Karbon billing and payments 

Xbert launches AI data tool - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/xbert-launches-ai-data-tool-in-the-uk
Deepfake CFO - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/deepfake-cfo-dupes-hong-kong-business-into-ps20m-payment

Sage for accountants release - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/sage-for-accountants-in-2024-the-11-latest-features-to-enhance-your

Hear the latest app news with Ryan, John and Indi:
HMRC mandate payrolling benefits https://www.accountancyage.com/2024/01/25/hmrc-to-mandate-payrolling-of-benefits-from-april-2026-implications-and-preparations-for-accountants/
Launch of Receipt Bot - https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/receipt-bot-targets-accounting-data-revolution
Xemplo integrates with xero payroll - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/xemplo_xemplo-xero-payroll-integration-explore-activity-7155012613800652800-6acN?utm_source=combined_share_message&utm_medium=member_io
GoCardless enhances FreeAgent integration - https://www.freeagent.com/blog/direct-debit-gocardless-payments/
Naq raised €3m seed round - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7155868898850930688-Tlpl/?utm_source=combined_share_message&utm_medium=member_ios
Netcall acquires Skore - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/skore-labs_netcall-acquires-process-improvement-provider-activity-7155504602488999936-f3nO?utm_source=combined_share_message&utm_medium=member_ios
Capitalise powers FSB funding platform - https://capitalise.com/gb/insights/the-federation-of-small-businesses-partners-with-capitalise
Coconut & GoSimple Tax integration - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/james-cryne-451b2a16_exciting-news-for-accountants-activity-7155507714498916352-Ti6P?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
We also catch up with Lucy Cohen from Mazuma about her latest raise and plans for their proprietary data capture app MazApp. Is AI next on the roadmap?