AccountingWEB

Lisa Miles-Heal, CEO of Silverfin, joins AccountingWEB's technology editor Tom Herbert to unpack research showing senior accountants are embracing AI faster than their younger peers. They explore the surprising trend, from access and trust issues to the different roles each generation plays in accounting firms.

After seven years of waiting, audit reform faces yet another delay. Matthew Ord reports that business minister Justin Madders has confirmed the draft Audit Reform and Governance Bill won’t move forward for pre-legislative scrutiny. He shares reactions from Julia Penny, Bruce Cartwright and Iain Wright, as the team wonders when reform will finally happen. Tom Herbert then rewinds 30 years to look back on how we have used accounting software. What started as a menu-based, point-and-click system is shifting toward AI-driven free text boxes, but is this really the future? Herbert questions how effective this will be and whether firms are ready to embrace it. Looking ahead, Richard Hattersley turns to growing Budget speculation. With the National Institute for Economic and Social Research warning of a £41.2bn gap, he discusses the potential fallout for businesses, the likelihood of broken manifesto promises and what moves the government might make.

On the latest episode of The Progressive Firm Podcast, James Gosling of AJ Chambers and Tim Halford of Xeinadin discuss adopting an M&A approach to growth, the ongoing influence of private equity and the importance of developing a gut feeling.

After enjoying a week in Tenby, Richard Hattersley returns to the podcast to discuss Companies House reforms. While Companies House confirmed small companies will be required to file their profit and loss (P&L) accounts, doubts quickly followed. Hattersley unpacks where the reforms stand, the debate around P&L filing and why the situation has become so unclear. Back from Norway, Tom Herbert takes a look at the audit market and shares his growing concerns about the role of auditors. He draws on David Graeber’s “Bullshit Jobs” concept, where people feel their work lacks real purpose, and wonders if audit is heading in that direction. Once seen as a pillar of financial integrity, audit may be losing its meaning. Herbert reflects on what this could mean for attracting new talent, the growing skills gap and the deeper identity crisis facing the profession. Matthew Ord shares a new ICAEW report on the evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms, highlighting that many still aren’t convinced by private equity. He runs through some of the findings, as the team explores why some independent firms remain cautious, whether we’ll ever agree on whether PE is good or bad and how the ongoing skills gap continues to shape the conversation.

Marc Jeschonneck of EY joins AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert to discuss the importance of addressing AI concerns, ensuring buy-in from auditors and accountants who aren’t up to speed with the latest developments, and the ongoing role of regulators in the space.

AccountingWEB’s MTD Accountability Club is in full swing. In association with Sage, it follows accountants and bookkeepers preparing for the first mandation date. Richard Hattersley goes through the early results from our recent survey (which is still open), on how the profession is coping, exploring what the answers reveal about MTD readiness. Tom Herbert shares the news that Xero has acquired the bill payments platform Melio for $2.5bn. Herbert explains who Melio are and what it signals about Xero’s global strategy, especially as UK users already have an end-to-end accounts payable workflow and recent price hikes are causing concerns. Finally, Matthew Ord turns to audit reform as the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy confirms plans to update the corporate reporting framework. The team discusses what’s coming and shares their thoughts on key topics also on the agenda, including talent, AI, sustainability reporting, and money laundering regulations.

On the latest episode of The Progressive Firm Podcast, Leanne Wilkins of MHA and Jorgia Hatton of JS discuss the importance of recruitment in a growing firm, why communication is key and bridging the skills gap.

Tom Herbert returns from the Sage Future user conference in Atlanta and spills all. He shares Sage’s artificial intelligence insights, classified into waves, and explores what each means. While discussing tech adoption, he argues that it’s not all about the technology, explaining other ways to get the attention of customers. Richard Hattersley reflects on the government's spending review. While no tax changes were announced, he talks about the document confirming a £500m investment in HMRC’s digital services. Alongside this, another document was released: Tax Policy Making Principles. Hattersley explains the concept of this document, its principles and whether they’ll remain unbroken. Matthew Ord closes the podcast with a look at private equity’s presence in audit. He recalls his chat with CEO Bruce Cartwright on why audit quality must stand apart from private equity’s influence. The team discusses the fine balance that the profession needs to get right seeing as both private equity and audit have come under scrutiny.

When Steve Hare first qualified as an accountant, he never imagined presenting to 4,000 people as chief executive of the UK's largest technology firm, steering it into the age of AI. However, he believes his accounting background will prove pivotal in managing one of the most transformational technologies seen in a generation. Hare joined AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert at the Sage Future user conference in Atlanta last week, where he spelt out his vision for how artificial intelligence will be implemented across Sage’s product lines, helping the vendor leapfrog competitors and position Sage at the forefront of AI accounting – but also outlined why he believes there will always be a need for accountants.

With the cut to Level 7 apprenticeship funding now confirmed, Richard Hattersley explains what it means for firms and training across the profession. He shares reactions from professional bodies and considers the long-term impact of the decision. Tom Herbert looks at the shift in focus from vendors and investors, from small business cloud accounting to the mid-market. He breaks down what “mid-market” means, why interest is growing and how the competition is shaping up. Herbert outlines three key categories and who fits where before the team asks: who has it the hardest? Though it almost feels taboo to mention on this podcast, Matthew Ord introduces the brand new Progressive Firm Podcast, which is out now. Episode one focuses on growth and Ord recaps the first episode – what was discussed, who joined and how it went. He also gives a sneak peek at what’s coming in episode two, so keep an eye out.

In the first episode of The Progressive Firm Podcast, Laura Leslie of DSG and Scott Heath of DJH pull back the curtain on their growth journeys, looking at how such an idea is born and subsequently implemented.

After attending six events this year, Tom Herbert wraps up the spring events season and shares what stood out. Suggesting there’s been a big push around software that sorts, stores and manages data, Herbert looks at why there’s an increased interest and whether firms actually want it or whether it’s a way for vendors to justify their GenAI investments. Meanwhile, Richard Hattersley digs into HMRC’s latest move against one of the UK’s most well-known tax avoidance promoters, Paul Baxendale-Walker. With a Stop Notice now issued, Richard explains what it means and whether HMRC’s tougher stance is finally starting to bite. And to round things off, Matthew Ord looks into the concerns about the ethical consequences of using AI. After chatting with Brad Channer, he explores the environmental cost of AI and whether the pressure to keep up with tech is worth the long-term impact.

Just ahead of the bank holiday, the government released a surprise Spring tax update. Richard Hattersley breaks down the key announcements, including the delay to the mandation of payrolling benefits and updates to the CEST tool. He also looks at proposed simplifications, such as helping businesses integrate gov.uk guidance with their AI products. As cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated, Tom Herbert shares a conversation with the owner of a small family firm that recently fell victim to a breach. He explains why such firms are attractive targets and reflects on advice from Francis West of Security Everywhere on how firms can protect themselves and respond if a breach occurs. Matthew Ord explores MHA’s decision to pursue an initial public offering (IPO), speaking with CEO Rakesh Shaunak about why he chose this route over private equity (PE). With few firms openly turning down PE investment, the team discusses MHA’s approach and whether more firms might follow with IPOs of their own.

With HMRC expanding the MTD pilot from 16 April, Richard Hattersley unpacks the updates, including long-awaited multi-agent access and questions around the value of quarterly updates. Tom Herbert adds insight into technical challenges and what this means for accountants. Herbert then shifts gears to agentic AI, a more advanced form of artificial intelligence that carries out complex, multi-step tasks. Drawing from a conversation with tax advisor Alastair Wilson, he explores how this tech could reshape the profession, reduce overheads and impact entry-level roles. To close, Matthew Ord looks at a string of audit sanctions against EY, including issues with audits of Thomas Cook and Stirling Water Seafield Finance. Hattersley rounds out the discussion with news of the FRC’s investigation into EY’s handling of the Post Office audit, as the team reflects on the growing need for reform.

With the new tax year starting on 6 April, Richard Hattersley runs through the key changes, from the rise in employer national insurance to HMRC’s focus on debt management. He also covers the MTD countdown, HMRC’s confidence in a 2026 rollout and whether it’s time to rethink the UK tax year. Tom Herbert shares the latest MTD software market updates. Herbert also looks into the latest in artificial intelligence (AI), starting with ICAEW president Malcolm Bacchus’s call for a mindset shift in the profession. Herbert then highlights recent AI product launches from Jenesys, NetSuite and Vinyl. Lastly, Matthew Ord looks at Wilson Partners’ acquisitive growth, with their latest deal doubling the team working in high-growth tech and life sciences. Tom Herbert explores why now is a smart time to target these sectors, while the team weighs in on the rising concerns around private equity’s growing role in accounting following their partnership with PE firm Fordhouse.