Accounting Apps Podcast

Discover the biggest announcements from XeroCon London 2026, including Xero Force, Partner Hub, Smart Document Capture, AI-powered automation, and what's next for accountants.
 
At XeroCon London 2026, Xero unveiled a wave of AI-powered innovations designed to help accountants and bookkeepers work more efficiently while supporting the needs of increasingly complex businesses. In this episode, Heather Smith speaks with Diya Jolly, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Xero, about the company's latest product announcements, the thinking behind its AI strategy, and how these developments will shape the future of the Xero ecosystem.
XeroCon London 2026 highlights: Xero celebrates reaching five million subscribers and unveils major product announcements, including Xero Force, Xero Ultra and the new Xero Partner Hub.
Smarter practice workflows: Learn how Book Health, Month End Readiness, Auto Bank Reconciliation and Smart Document Capture use AI to reduce manual work and improve bookkeeping accuracy.
Building for larger businesses: Discover why Xero Ultra has been introduced and how Xero plans to support businesses as they grow without requiring a move to enterprise software.
The future of AI at Xero: Diya explains Xero Force, AI agents, practical automation, and how AI is being embedded across the platform to help accountants deliver greater value.
Lessons from the Australian outages: An open discussion about the AWS infrastructure incident, what happened behind the scenes, and how Xero is strengthening platform resilience.
Whether you're an accountant, bookkeeper or Xero user, this conversation offers an inside look at the strategy, technology and product direction emerging from XeroCon London 2026. It provides valuable context behind the announcements and practical insights into how AI and automation are set to transform accounting workflows in the years ahead.
 
Apps & Tools Mentioned: Xero, Xero Partner Hub, Book Health, Month End Readiness, Auto Bank Reconciliation, Smart Document Capture, Hubdoc, Xero Files, Xero Force, Xero Ultra, Xero Payments, AWS, Amazon Web Services, OCR, JAX, AI Studio, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT
 
Episode resources and links:
Diya Jolly Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/diyajolly/
Xero https://www.xero.com/
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

The second quarter of 2026 has delivered another wave of innovation across the accounting technology landscape. In this episode, Heather Smith is joined by Tyler Caskey from The Bean Counters to unpack the recent product releases, AI developments, payroll changes, reporting enhancements, and practice management updates shaping the profession. Alongside practical commentary on the latest features from leading accounting platforms, they discuss cybersecurity lessons, the impact of industry layoffs, emerging AI-first accounting systems, and several standout apps that deserve attention. Whether you're an accountant, bookkeeper, advisor, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights to help you stay informed and identify technology worth exploring.
 
Key discussion points
Heather and Tyler discuss major updates from QuickBooks, MYOB, Xero and Easy Business App, including AI-powered reconciliation, open banking developments, Employment Hero integration, and evolving automation features.
They explore emerging accounting platforms including Digits and Prosaic, examining how AI-native general ledgers could reshape the future of bookkeeping and financial management.
The conversation covers important payroll and compliance developments, including Beam, Employment Hero, Tanda, and practical considerations for Australian businesses adapting to the new requirements.
A wide range of specialist apps are highlighted, including RecHound, XBert, Calxa, HoneyBook, TaxDome, MinuteDock, DataSights, Archer Cards, Hello Cashflow, Kloud Connect, WorkGuru, EzyCollect and many more, with practical commentary on where each solution fits.
Heather also shares her recent experience recovering a compromised Google account, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity, strong authentication, backup recovery methods, and maintaining trusted professional networks.
 
The accounting technology ecosystem continues to evolve at an incredible pace, with AI, automation, compliance, and integration driving much of the innovation. While not every new feature will suit every business, understanding what's available helps accountants and bookkeepers make better technology decisions for themselves and their clients. This episode provides a practical snapshot of where the industry is heading and highlights the solutions that are genuinely worth keeping on your radar.
 
This episode is also syndicated to Accountants Daily Under the Hood podcast.
 
Read here how I work with some solutions mentioned  https://endorsementdisclosure.com/
 
 
Apps & Tools Mentioned:
Apps & Tools Mentioned:
Dext – https://dext.com/
Google Workspace (Gmail) – https://workspace.google.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com
GoCardless – https://gocardless.com
Reddit – https://www.reddit.com
QuickBooks – https://quickbooks.intuit.com
Employment Hero – https://employmenthero.com
MYOB – https://www.myob.com
MYOB Solo – https://www.myob.com/au/products/solo
Airwallex – https://www.airwallex.com
NAB Connect – https://www.nab.com.au/business/internet-banking/nab-connect
CommBiz – https://www.commbank.com.au/business/online-banking/commbiz.html
ING – https://www.ing.com.au
Xero – https://www.xero.com
Claude – https://claude.ai
Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com
Easy Business App – https://easybusinessapp.com.au
Digits – https://digits.com
Ignition – https://www.ignitionapp.com
Karbon – https://Karbonhq.com
Reach Reporting – https://reachreporting.com
Prosaic – https://www.prosaic.works/
Zoho – https://www.zoho.com
RecHound – https://rechound.com
Easy Month-End – https://easymonthend.com
HoneyBook – https://www.honeybook.com
TaxDome – https://taxdome.com
XBert – https://www.xbert.io/
Calxa – https://www.calxa.com
Beam – https://www.beamconnect.com.au
Hero Force – https://employmenthero.com
Tanda – https://www.tanda.co
MinuteDock – https://minutedock.com
Google Authenticator – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en&pli=1
Microsoft Authenticator – https://www.microsoft.com/security/mobile-authenticator-app
Xero Verify – https://www.xero.com/security/two-step-authentication
Archa Cards – https://www.archa.com.au/
Wise – https://wise.com
Weel – https://www.weel.com.au
DataSights – https://datasights.co
Microsoft Azure – https://azure.microsoft.com
Power BI – https://powerbi.microsoft.com
Lovable – https://lovable.dev
Cadence – https://cadenceapp.com.au
Hello Cashflow – https://www.hellocashflow.com/
Float – https://float.app
Kloud Connect – https://www.kloudconnect.com.au/
FYI – https://fyidocs.com
SharePoint – https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/sharepoint
com.au – https://pay.com.au
EzyCollect – https://ezycollect.com.au
Apple Pay – https://www.apple.com/apple-pay
Google Pay – https://pay.google.com
WorkGuru – https://www.workguru.io
Dashboard Insights – https://dashboardinsights.com.au
Wagepoint – https://wagepoint.com
Sage – https://www.sage.com
 
Episode resources and links:
 
Tyler Caskey : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercaskey/
The Bean Counters : https://www.thebeancounters.com.au/
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Not every opportunity that lands in your inbox is the right fit. In this episode, Heather (me!) explores the concept of "handball referrals" and why passing opportunities to the right person can strengthen relationships, build trust, and create value across the accounting profession. Drawing on real-world examples from speaking engagements, networking experiences, and community involvement, she shares practical advice on becoming a thoughtful connector within your professional network.
Key Discussion Points
Why saying "no" can be the most professional response when an opportunity falls outside your expertise.
How to identify the right person in your network and make meaningful referrals.
The importance of maintaining professional credibility by matching opportunities with genuine expertise.
Lessons learned from speaking engagements, panel discussions, and community involvement.
How strategic introductions build trust, strengthen industry relationships, and contribute to long-term professional success.
Conclusion
Professional networks thrive when people actively support one another. Whether it's a speaking opportunity, client referral, advisory role, or project, taking a few minutes to connect the right people can have a lasting impact. Heather encourages listeners to think beyond simply declining opportunities and instead consider how they can contribute to a stronger, more connected accounting community.
 
Episode resources and links:
 
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Technology should make accounting firms more efficient, but many firms have accumulated layers of disconnected tools that create complexity rather than clarity. In this discussion, Heather Smith is joined by Tyler Caskey from The Bean Counters and John Munden from Cloud Office to explore how firms can simplify their technology stack, improve workflow visibility, reduce manual work and make better technology decisions.
Key Discussion Points
Tyler Caskey shares why firms often accumulate too many disconnected tools and how visualising workflows can reveal inefficiencies.
John Munden explains how standardised workflows help reduce bottlenecks, improve onboarding and create consistency across teams.
The panel discusses common technology traps including decision fatigue, duplicated processes and underutilised software.
Practical advice is shared on auditing a tech stack, identifying manual processes and prioritising integrations.
The conversation explores leadership, change management, client communication challenges and the future role of automation and API-driven workflows.
The key takeaway is that firms do not need more technology. They need better connected technology, clearer workflows and a structured approach to change. By focusing on visibility, automation and process consistency, accounting firms can reduce overwhelm and create scalable systems that support long-term growth.
Episode resources and links:
 
Tyler Caskey : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercaskey/
John Munden :  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmunden/
Cloudoffis : https://cloudoffis.com.au/
Apps & Tools Mentioned
Xero, SharePoint, APS, Excel, Microsoft Lists, HandiSoft, BGL, NowInfinity, FYI Docs, Xero Practice Manager, Content Snare, Annature, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, Employment Hero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Stripe, Pinch Payments, Macquarie Bank Feeds, Mayday, Seamless
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Accounting technology leader Ben Richmond joins the podcast to discuss his remarkable journey from regional accounting practice in New Zealand to becoming President and CEO of WagePoint in Canada. Drawing on decades of experience across public practice, corporate finance, Xero’s international expansion and payroll technology, Ben shares lessons on leadership, customer relationships, change management and the future of accounting. The conversation explores how accountants can broaden their career horizons, embrace public speaking, leverage AI effectively and build more meaningful advisory relationships with clients. Ben also reflects on what it takes to grow software businesses across different countries and why the accounting profession remains one of the most impactful careers available today.
Key Discussion Points
Ben Richmond's career journey from public accounting to Xero and WagePoint.
Lessons learned scaling accounting technology across New Zealand, the US and Canada.
Why public speaking, emotional intelligence and relationship skills matter more than ever.
The opportunities and challenges AI presents for accountants and bookkeepers.
How payroll, advisory and specialist services create valuable growth opportunities.
Ben’s perspective offers a refreshing blend of optimism and realism. While acknowledging the disruption created by AI and rapid technological change, he argues that accountants and bookkeepers who embrace innovation, strengthen their advisory capabilities and invest in relationships are exceptionally well positioned for the future. The discussion highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability and customer-centric thinking in both accounting and software businesses.
Apps & Tools Mentioned:
Ben Richmond : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-richmond-ca-b8794220/
WagePoint https://www.wagepoint.com/ 
Xero https://www.xero.com 
Stripe https://stripe.com/ 
QuickBooks, https://quickbooks.intuit.com
 
Episode resources and links:
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

I sat down with Paul Wittich, General Manager APAC at Dext, to explore how the platform is evolving beyond document capture into a fully automated bookkeeping workflow. We discuss AI Assist, payments, underused features, pricing transparency and what 2026 looks like for the profession.
 
Paul’s career journey from management accountant to APAC leader at Dext
Dext’s evolution from OCR tool to end-to-end bookkeeping automation platform
AI Assist and how it learns user behaviour to reduce repetitive work
Underused features: Vault, supplier statements, supplier rules and practice insights
Pricing transparency, ecosystem competition and what is coming next in 2026
 
The profession is shifting rapidly. As AI accelerates change, the firms that embrace automation thoughtfully and strategically will be best positioned to move beyond compliance and into higher-value advisory services.
 
 
Episode resources and links:
https://dext.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulwittich/
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

This episode is a personal and confronting reflection on how quickly even a cyberaware professional can lose control of a long-standing Gmail account. What began as a seemingly legitimate brand collaboration unfolded into a carefully orchestrated phishing attack that removed all security measures within seconds. The experience highlights how modern cybercrime blends patience, credibility signals, automation and psychological triggers to bypass even cautious users.
The phishing grooming process and credibility signals used• The red flags hidden in plain sight• What happened in the 60-second account takeover • The recovery journey and escalation through professional networks • Three essential security measures: 2FA, passkeys and backup codes
This story is not about fear. It is about awareness, practical action and understanding how sophisticated attacks have become. The lesson is simple: five minutes of security setup can prevent four days of stress.
Apps & Tools Mentioned:
1Password, LastPass Authenticator, Coursera, Impact, Google, Gmail, Revolut, Claude, ChatGPT, LinkedIn, Twitter, TeamYouTube
Episode resources and links:
Alex falcon Huerta’s story : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alexfalconhuerta_fraud-alexfalconhuerta-share-7394786345610682370-s-49/
 https://cyberwardens.com.au partners with the Australian Government to deliver free online security courses with verifiable CPD.
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

This episode explores how a Chartered Accountant can move beyond traditional finance roles to create meaningful community impact. Josh Hickford shares his journey from Big Four accounting and banking to founding a cancer support app and leading Taranaki Foundation. It is a conversation about resilience, technology, philanthropy and the evolving role of accountants in a digital world.
Josh Hickford’s career journey from PwC and TSB Bank to CEO of Taranaki Foundation
Founding Ripple after a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in partnership with the Cancer Society
Building a donor journey using digital tools like Raisely and Stripe
Technology, automation and trust in community foundations
Why human connection remains central to the future of Chartered Accountants
This episode reminds us that accounting is not just about compliance or reporting. It is about leadership, confidence and using financial skills to build stronger communities. Technology may accelerate the journey, but purpose and people still lead the way.
Apps & Tools Mentioned: 
Raisely - https://www.raisely.com/ 
Sharesies https://sharesies.com.au/ 
Stripe, GoFundMe,  Otter.ai, Xero,
Episode resources and links:
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshhickford/ 
https://taranakifoundation.org.nz/ 
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ 
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/ 
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting 
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

In this episode, I sit down with Trent Yesberg, founder of Twine Apps and director of Regional Business Services in Townsville. We explore the realities of subscription billing, SaaS development, and what AI means for accounting firms today. This conversation moves from practical billing frustrations to the future of automation in our profession.
Trent’s journey from banking to building Regional Business Services and launching Twine Apps
The problem Twine Biller solves around subscription billing and margin recovery
Fixed fees vs mixed fees and passing on vendor price increases
Launching at Accounting & Business Expo and navigating Pitch Fest
AI, agents, automation and real examples saving hours inside a bookkeeping firm
This episode is a grounded, practical look at innovation from inside the profession. It is about solving real problems, protecting margins, and staying curious in a rapidly shifting tech landscape.
Apps & Tools Mentioned
Twine Biller – https://twineapps.coTwine Apps – https://twineapps.coRegional Business Services – https://www.regionalbusinessservices.com.auIgnition – https://www.ignitionapp.comQuickBooks – https://quickbooks.intuit.comXero – https://www.xero.comMYOB – https://www.myob.comZoho – https://www.zoho.comUber Eats – https://www.ubereats.comDoorDash – https://www.doordash.comDeliveroo – https://deliveroo.comEmployment Hero – https://employmenthero.comClaude – https://claude.aiOpenAI – https://openai.comSubstack – https://substack.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.comFacebook – https://www.facebook.comOtter.ai – https://otter.ai
Episode resources and links:
 
Twine Biller : https://twineapps.coTwine Apps : https://twineapps.co
Trent Yesberg : https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-yesberg-52b35366/ 
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ 
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/ 
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting 
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

The first quarter of 2026 has delivered an extraordinary wave of AI-powered enhancements, mid-market strategy shifts and workflow automation upgrades across the accounting technology ecosystem. This session, presented at the Sydney Accounting and Bookkeeping Expo, dives deep into what matters, what is hype, and where firms should pay attention.
MYOB Solo, MYOB AI BAS checks and Intuit Accountant Suite signal strong practice management evolution
Xero Ultra beta, dashboard upgrades and API pricing changes reshape the mid-market and app ecosystem
Karbon recurring billing, AI agents and Uncat integration enhance workflow efficiency
Paidnice transforms debt collection automation, alongside major payroll innovation from Tanda
Fathom AI commentary, Dext AI Assist and Dashboard Insights BAS Pro elevate advisory conversations
As always, the key message is this: block time in your calendar and properly explore these features. Many of these releases can immediately improve efficiency, reduce risk and deepen client advisory if implemented thoughtfully.
Jump across to the blog here : https://www.heathersmithsmallbusiness.com/blog/ for all the links so you can deep dive into the details.
The podcast is also released on Accountants Daily Momentum Media’s Under The Hood brand : https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/technology/22289-under-the-hood-accounting-tech-update-for-q1-2026 
MYOB – https://www.myob.comMYOB Solo – https://www.myob.com/au/products/soloIntuit Accountant Suite – https://quickbooks.intuit.com/accountants/Xero – https://www.xero.comXero Ultra – https://www.xero.com
Cloudoffis - https://cloudoffis.com.au/ 
Uncat – https://www.uncat.comKarbon – https://www.karbonhq.com 
Paidnice – https://www.paidnice.comA2X – https://www.a2xaccounting.comTanda – https://www.tanda.coEmerge – https://www.emergeapp.netRestoke – https://www.restoke.aiAdvisorLi – https://www.advisorli.comJazoodle – https://www.jazoodle.comFathom – https://www.fathomhq.comEmployment Hero – https://www.employmenthero.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.comActiveCollab – https://activecollab.comCalcs – https://www.calcs.com.auDashboard Insights – https://www.dashboardinsights.com.auSharesight – https://www.sharesight.comBotkeeper – https://www.botkeeper.comZendu – https://www.zendu.comNAB Bookkeeper – https://www.nab.com.au/business/accounts/online-accountingSuiteFiles – https://www.suitefiles.comZapier – https://www.zapier.comProcess Street – https://www.process.stEzzyBill – https://www.ezzybills.com/Procore – https://www.procore.comServiceM8 – https://www.servicem8.com/au/Dext – https://www.dext.comMYOB Discover Live – https://www.myob.com/au/events/discover-liveXerocon – https://www.xero.com/eventsNetSuite SuiteWorld – https://www.netsuitesuiteworld.comIntuit Connect – https://www.intuit.com/connect
 
Episode resources and links:
 
Accounting & Business Expo : https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/accounting-business-expo/index.stm 
 
If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/ 
Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/ 
Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind 
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting 
X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU