Description

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