Finance joined up: Business Central and AI for growing businesses

It's 2026, and too many growing businesses are still holding their finances together with spreadsheets, workarounds and a lot of manual re-keying. Disconnected systems make it hard to see what's really going on - and harder still to make a confident call when you need to. Join Elliott Poulter, SMB Business Lead UK&I - AI Business Process at Microsoft UK, for a session on how Microsoft is helping businesses sort this properly, with AI powered, cloud-based tools like Dynamics 365 Business Central that connect your data and your operations. We'll look at how Business Central moves you beyond accounting-only software, pulling finance, sales, purchasing and operations (and plenty more) into one place. You'll see how it plugs straight into the Microsoft tools you already use every day - Microsoft 365, Teams, Outlook and the Office suite - so nothing feels bolted on. And Elliott will show where Microsoft's investment in automation, AI and Microsoft Copilot actually earns its keep: less manual work and forecasting you can trust. Come along if you want your numbers joined up and your decisions a good deal easier to make with greater data insights.

Speakers:

Elliott Poulter

Microsoft

SMB Business Lead UK&I - AI Business Process

Hype to hands on – Practical AI for Finance today

You've heard about AI in finance. But most of it is advisory, answering questions, providing insights. Agentic AI is different. It actually works. It processes your invoices, catches your errors, routes approvals, and reconciles your books - 24/7, autonomously. Your team focuses on strategy instead of admin. Discover what forward-thinking finance leaders are learning about deploying AI that executes, not just explains.

Speakers:

Peter Beard

GenFinance.AI

Founder and Director

Cloud ERP + AI in action: Reimagining Finance and HR together

Migrating your systems into the cloud isn't just about technology, it's about how you can empower your team with AI-powered automations that stretch across finance and HR departments. This session looks at how the latest SAP Cloud ERP and AI innovations can automate and eliminate manual processes that often slow your teams and decision-making down. You'll see how you can make huge productivity gains by moving to Cloud ERP and learn more about how AI-supported tools can connect finance and HR processes - which are relevant for many FDs. Join this session and see how affordable digital transformation now includes HR as part of the picture.

Speakers:

Sneha Achar

SAP

Senior Solutions Advisor S/4HANA Public Cloud

Derek Byrne

Seidor

Senior Account Executive

Fractional CFOs: Getting your sales process running – selling to SMEs and Start-ups

Fractional finance is booming, but most new FDs struggle with one thing: selling. Elliott breaks down the precise sales process behind scaling a fractional CFO business to a seven-figure valuation, a full pipeline, and the ability to turn clients away. Using SPICED, a free CRM setup, and a step-by-step workflow, he shows how finance leaders can run stronger discovery calls and follow-ups. Attendees will also see real examples of messaging, deal tracking, and next-day actions they can implement immediately to start winning fractional work.

Speakers:

Elliott Gaspar

Momentum CFOs

Director

Copilot & Agents in Finance: Automating the admin, freeing up the analysis

Daniel Booth from mhance walks through how Copilot and Agents are being used in finance teams to automate reconciliations, streamline reporting, and cut down on repetitive admin work, and how these fits with the wider Microsoft 365 stack :Teams, Outlook, Excel, and Dynamics. You'll leave this session able to: Set up a Co-pilot-assisted reporting workflow using tools your team already has in Excel and Dynamics Build a basic case for where to start with AI adoption in your own finance function, based on time saved on routine processing

Speakers:

Daniel Booth

Mhance

AI Business Solutions Technical Specialist

The CFO reality check

Uncertainty is high. Cost pressures are intense. Yet global growth remains resilient. Why? For how long? And what does it mean for the advice CFOs are giving their businesses? ACCA Chief Economist Jonathan Ashworth will discuss the outlook for the global and UK economies, exploring where the risks lie, and what finance leaders should be watching. Clive Webb, Head of Business Management at ACCA, will then bring the discussion into the finance function, exploring how CFOs are translating the economic environment into advice on growth, investment, costs, cash and risk. CFOs and FDs from across the North will put that thinking to the test, sharing how the current environment is influencing the advice they give their boards, the decisions they are making and where they are choosing to invest or hold back. Hear the evidence. Test it against the experience of finance leaders across the North. Leave with a clearer view of how CFOs are navigating growth, costs, investment and risk in an uncertain environment.

Speakers:

Peter Hucker

Xledger UK

CEO

Jonathan Ashworth

ACCA

Sarfaraz Akram

Lancashire Farm

Chief Operating Officer

Clive Webb

ACCA

Senior Insights Manager

Susan Allan

TVS Interfleet

Growth through M&A: Baby boomers, opportunity and risk

The UK is approaching a major exit crunch. Baby Boomers own 37% of UK businesses, rising to 66% when including owners aged 50+, many of whom will seek to exit at the same time. For CFOs, the risk is clear: without early value creation, most businesses will fail to attract buyers and face costly solvent liquidation. As organic growth is unlikely to deliver £1m+ EBITDA and an attractive multiplier, this session explores how CFO and Accountants should take the lead to help owners execute a successful buy‑and‑build strategy to build value and enjoy a successful exit in a buyer’s market.

Speakers:

Steve Darnell

VFD Pro Ltd

CCO

Putting the customer first in a digital world

Hear from HMRC on how they’re using a customer-centred approach to update and improve services. With an ambition for most tasks to be possible through digital self-service by 2030, HMRC’s Customer Experience team are investing in a user-focused approach to ensure products are accessible and provide real value to taxpayers. This ensures phonelines are available for more complex issues, or those who need additional support. Find out more about how HMRC is meeting its ambitions to become a digital-first tax authority while remaining customer-centric.

Speakers:

Natalie Gillson

HM Revenue & Customs

Head of Customer Intelligence Hub

Kathleen Rawlinson

HM Revenue & Customs

Deputy Director, Customer Experience Communications and Education

John Swift

HM Revenue & Customs

Head of Industry Engagement and External Learning

Redesigning the Accounting Firm for an AI world

The traditional model of the accounting practice is already been disrupted by AI – but will it be pulled apart entirely? This panel brings together firm owners and AI experts to confront the uncomfortable questions: if AI absorbs the compliance work junior staff used to cut their teeth on, how do firms train the next generation? What does a leaner team structure actually look like, and which skills become essential when technical ability is no longer the differentiator? And what should employees now expect from a career in accountancy? This is an honest look at how firms may need to rebuild themselves.

Speakers:

Billie McLoughlin

Aiccountancy

Founder

Andy North

TaxCalc | Engager

Chief Customer Officer

Lucy Williams

Team JS

Managing Partner

Lucy Cohen

Mazuma

Founder and CEO

The reality of MTD for Income Tax after quarter one

How prepared is the profession really for MTD for Income Tax? Following the first quarterly filing period, Bright surveyed accountants across the UK to understand what happened in practice. What challenges did firms face? Which processes stood up to the pressure? And what lessons will shape the remaining quarterly filings and first year-end submissions? Join Paul as he shares the findings, exploring everything from client readiness and record keeping to communication, workflows and technology. Leave with practical insights into how firms are adapting and what the most successful practices are doing differently.

Speakers:

Paul Onions

Bright

VP of Product

Future talent: Why different people will be tomorrow’s leaders

The accountancy world is changing fast. The future of leadership is in question. AI is taking many entry-level roles, and young people are looking at, traditional models of employment and not seeing a world they want to be part of. Many are choosing self-employment or starting their own businesses. What does this mean for the future? The next generation of leaders will be different. This panel discussion will look at this topic from different angles. We will discuss: Gender diversity Racial diversity Neuro-diversity Socio-economic diversity Age diversity We will discuss practical ideas for leaders to think about now.

Speakers:

Phil Hobden

Sage

Head of New Customer Advocacy

Nicole Lonsdale

Ginger Bucks

Director

Kayleigh Graham

Telleroo

Head of Partnerships & Growth

Mo Kanjilal

Edge Of Difference

Founder & Director

An update on Companies House reform and accounts changes

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced significant changes to UK Company Law. Since that time, Companies House has begun a phased implementation of reform measures, which give Companies House the power to play a more significant role in tackling economic crime and supporting economic growth. This session will provide a high-level overview of progress, with a particular focus on accounts reform.

Speakers:

Henry Vaile

Companies House

Principal Policy Advisor

Sarah Whitehead

Companies House

Director of Strategy, Policy, Communications & Legal

HMRC Making Tax Digital – Where we are now and where we are heading

Following the rolling out of the first phase of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, in this session you can join Craig Ogilvie, Director of Making Tax Digital, to hear an update about what has happened so far. Craig will also talk about what’s coming next as he looks towards the next phase that will roll out from 6 April 2027, to incorporate businesses with a turnover of above £30,000. There’ll also be the opportunity for you to ask questions at the end of the presentation.

Speakers:

Craig Ogilvie

HM Revenue & Customs

Director, Making Tax Digital

Top 5 tax issues for Autumn 2026

Join Emma Gilbert-Smith as she highlights her top 5 tax considerations for tax agents in Autumn 2026, with plenty of practical pointers and takeaways. This not-to-be-missed session will include: - Director loan accounts and dividends - Cryptoassets and missed capital gains - Inheritance tax planning for pension wealth - Expectations for Budget 2026 - And more For each topic, opportunity for proactive advisory services will be highlighted, delivering real value at every touch point.

Speakers:

Emma Gilbert-Smith

20:20 Innovation

Practice Consultant

Scale clients, not costs: How smarter payments unlock practice growth

Growth shouldn't mean adding admin and headcount at the same pace as clients. In this customer-led panel, two firms share how they took ownership of the payment step for payroll and supplier payments, standardised workflows across their client book, and created capacity without adding cost. Expect honest lessons on what changed operationally, what it was worth commercially, and how clients responded, including what it takes to move work off manual bank portals and roll automation out across a client base, and how the time saved can be reinvested in advice, stronger relationships and long-term growth.

Speakers:

Joe Lines

Modulr

Director of SME Channel Partnerships

Rosie Berridge FMAAT

Accountability Edinburgh

Director

Stuart Hurst

Cloud 10 Accounting Limited

Founder

Chinyere Hatton

Modulr

Strategic Account Executive

Why I quit accounting to fix it: Lessons from an accountant turned AI founder

While 80% of accountants believe they deliver exceptional client service, only 8% of clients agree. OUCH! In this candid session, Fi shares why she traded in accounting for tech, to tackle what’s truly broken: client experience. Fi will share how her close work with SMEs exposed a growing gap between how accountants operate and what clients now expect - and ultimately what drove her to build a better way forward. Expect honest lessons on where firms lose clients, how expectations have shifted, and what accounting must fix fast to stay relevant, valued, and human in the AI era.

Speakers:

Fi Titus

Fineo

CEO & Co-Founder

I let AI do every role in my accountancy practice. I don’t recommend it

AI is advancing fast in accountancy, but it’s not always clear where it genuinely helps — and where it creates problems. So Alexis decided to go too far on purpose, letting AI do every role in an accountancy practice to stress-test how it behaves in the real world of complex work, multiple teams, and client expectations. Through funny failures and surprising successes, Alexis explores what this revealed about where AI shines, where it struggles, and why leaders often find change hard to embed — from fear of failure and unclear outcomes to change fatigue and benefits that never quite spread across the firm.

Speakers:

Alexis Kingsbury

De-stress Your Business podcast

Author, Podcast Host, Entrepreneur

HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap

Hear from HMRC’s Director General for Strategy and Policy, Jonathan Athow, on delivering in the first year of the Transformation Roadmap. Find out what has happened already, what will be happening next, and how different groups can get involved in the next steps for the UK’s tax and customs authority.

Speakers:

Jonathan Athow

HM Revenue & Customs

Director General for HMRC Strategy and Tax Design

Winning with AI: Why better data is the real competitive advantage

AI is transforming accountancy, but the firms gaining the greatest advantage aren't simply adopting the latest tools - they're building the data foundations to make them work. Drawing on real-world experience with accounting firms, this session explores why data quality, governance and trusted reporting are the real enablers of AI success. Attendees will discover the common challenges holding firms back and leave with practical steps to strengthen their data, embrace AI with confidence and create a lasting competitive advantage.

Speakers:

Yemi Wedderburn

Wolters Kluwer

Professional Services Consultant

Ed Franklin

Wolters Kluwer

Business Intelligence Manager

Press record: Why accountants and bookkeepers need to start using video

Video is one of the fastest ways for accountants and bookkeepers to build trust, show personality and become more visible. But for many, it still feels scary, awkward or far too technical. In this practical panel session, Ashley Leeds is joined by Lee Stallard, Samantha Mitcham and Penelope Stallard to explore why video matters, what stops people getting started, and how simple it can be. You’ll hear real stories, practical tips and see a video created live on stage. You don’t need fancy kit, perfect confidence or a polished script. You just need to press record.

Speakers:

Ashley Leeds

Full Cup Coaching

The 15-Minute Guy

Penelope Allard

Wild Bookkeeping Ltd

Director

Samantha Mitcham

SJCM Accountancy

Licensed Accountant

Leigh Stallard

Nomad Flow

Founder

Less admin. More impact: Creating capacity for the next wave of change

By September 2026, the first MTD quarterly update cycle will have revealed what firms are really facing: new workflows, changing client behaviours and fresh pressure points. At the same time, AI, HMRC change, Companies House reform, payroll, benefits in kind and e-invoicing are adding to the pace of change. This keynote will explore how firms can create capacity for what comes next by reducing hidden admin, improving client readiness and building repeatable workflows. Attendees will leave with practical areas to focus on now, and a clearer view of how trusted AI can turn pressure into progress.

Speakers:

Aaron Patrick

Boffix Accountants

Founder

Lisa Ewens

Sage

Senior VP for Small Business Product

Nick Williams

Sage

VP for Product Management AI and Accounting

Why choosing clients is the most expensive decision in your firm

Most accounting firms don’t lack leads, they lack visibility. Busy feels like growth, but without clear data on which enquiries are profitable, firms end up making critical decisions based on guesswork. This session introduces the PROFIT Filter™, a practical method modern firms use to decide who to accept, who to reject, and why. You’ll explore how better data at the point of enquiry reveals hidden patterns in pricing, client fit, and marketing performance, and how the best firms use this insight to grow calmly, confidently, and profitably without adding more work.

Speakers:

Rachel Harris

striveX

Director

Be the one they ask – Making AI part of how you and your clients work together

AI is already changing how accounting firms and their clients work. In this practical session, Kat Bond and Dale Reigate explore how to become the adviser clients ask first; not by chasing every new tool, but by starting with one client, one workflow and one better habit. Through practical Xero examples rather than a product-heavy demo, they’ll show how cleaner data, lighter admin and smarter financial conversations can create more time for advice. You’ll leave with ways to guide clients through AI, keep professional judgement at the centre and build confidence step by step.

Speakers:

Dale Reigate

Xero

Solutions Consulting Manager

Kat Bond

Xero

Head of Partner Success

How marketing and client experience work together in the perfect loop

A candid fireside chat with the avengers of marketing, join the @accountant_she team to lift the fourth wall as we dive into how striveX analyses data, uses language, makes micro changes, integrates and improves the workflow and client service delivery that has scaled their firm rapidly whilst scaling client experience.

Speakers:

Rachel Harris

striveX

Director

Jaya Meadows

StriveX

Business Development

Tamzin Allinson

Accountant_She

Content Lead

Kevin Kerrigan

AML HQ

Founder & COO

From quarterly updates to a quarterly service: Rethinking the MTD client model

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax creates more than a filing requirement. It introduces a frequent service relationship between accountants and their clients. This panel will explore how firms are turning quarterly activity into a clear, repeatable client proposition. Practising accountants will discuss how they’re defining the service, segmenting clients, setting expectations, pricing the work and deciding what support different client groups will receive. Discover how firms can make quarterly touchpoints valuable and sustainable, rather than allowing MTD to become another layer of administration.

Speakers:

Rosie Cooper

PM+M

Director - Cloud Accounting

Ryan Alderson

DJH

Head of Cloud Advisory

Fraser Peebles

FreeAgent

Senior Business Development Manager

Stu McEwan

FreeAgent

Principal Product Manager

AML Essentials: The fundamentals that matter

Join three AML panel experts from ACCA, AIA and CIOT/ATT where they will share the most common AML compliance failures and, more importantly, how to prevent them. This practical session will provide actionable insights to help you strengthen your firm's AML processes, reduce risk, and stay compliant with evolving regulatory requirements. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your compliance framework, avoid costly mistakes, and protect your business with greater confidence.

Speakers:

Aranjeet Gill

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Senior Supervision Officer AML

Jane Mellor

Chartered Institute of Taxation and Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)

Head of Professional Standards

David Potts

Association of International Accountants (AIA)

Director of Policy & Regulation

Bookkeepers beyond the bookkeeping

Bookkeepers have always been vital to businesses - but as technology transforms the profession and client needs evolve, many are expanding the support they offer beyond the numbers. Join ICB CEO Ami Copeland as she hosts a panel of ICB bookkeepers sharing how they are extending their services, from payroll and tax support to cashflow forecasting, credit control, management reporting and advisory. They’ll explore how these services add value, strengthen client relationships and create new opportunities, alongside practical advice on pricing and delivery.

Speakers:

Ami Copeland

ICB

CEO

Alice Mason

Biking Bookkeeper

Founder & MD

Linda Owen

LMO Bookkeeping

Founder & Director

Humans, numbers and technology – A heady cocktail if you get it right

Your firm's future depends on 3 things: the right technology (yes, including AI), the right people with the right knowledge, skills and habits, and the right numbers to manage by. Get all three working together and you transform your results. In this short workshop session you'll see real examples of firms putting technology, people and numbers to work successfully - and leave with practical steps to do the same in your firm.

Speakers:

Paul Shrimpling

Remarkable Practice Ltd

Managing Director

The connected platform advantage: Turning AI, MTD and client data into advisory revenue

AI can help save time, but time saved does not automatically become revenue. Data only creates value when it is connected and acted on. As firms learn from the first months of Making Tax Digital, connected platforms and AI are reducing fragmentation, improving visibility and giving teams greater control across their client base. Clients are also using AI and expect more: faster answers, clearer guidance and proactive support. This panel explores how firms can turn connected data and AI insight into stronger client relationships and repeatable advisory revenue.

Speakers:

Dr Kamran Shaikh

Morgan Reach

Managing Director

Oliver Meyers

AMS Accountants Group

Director

Emma Hallam

Intuit QuickBooks

Head of Product Management Operations

John Allan

Clydegrove Accountants

Director

MTD for landlords: preparing for the £30k threshold in April 2027

With the next phase of Making Tax Digital approaching, thousands more landlords will fall within scope from April 2027. In this practical session, landlord accounting specialists from Hammock and a partner from a Top 100 accountancy firm will discuss how practices can prepare now. We'll cover identifying affected clients, onboarding efficiently, managing digital records, common implementation challenges, technology choices, and communication strategies. Leave with practical actions to help your practice deliver a smooth transition and create long-term value for landlord clients.

Speakers:

Rachel Armstrong

Crowe UK

Senior Manager, Client Solutions Development

Matthew Perkins

Hammock

Head of Customer Success

James Kilpatrick

Hammock

Head of Business Development

Exciting session coming soon

Escaping the always-on trap: Boundaries that actually work

We know the always-on trap better than most. Deadlines, billable hours, and the expectation of being reachable at all times create a culture where switching off feels like falling behind. We might look like we're coping, but underneath, decision-making slows, patience shortens, and the work that actually needs focus gets pushed to 10pm. This session challenges the belief that sacrifice is the price of good performance. Drawing on his own experience building and exiting a multi-award-winning business, then burning out at the top of it, Gary makes the case that boundaries aren't about saying no; they're about communicating expectations clearly and trusting the capable people around you to step up. You'll leave with a practical way to do this, so you can perform and win sustainably, not just in the moment.

Speakers:

Gary Parsons

Selfish Thinking Co

Founder

How purpose-built technology supports the modern accounting practice – AI you can count on, workflows that work

AI is everywhere - but not every solution is built with accounting practices in mind. In this session, Paul and Eva take a practical look at what AI can genuinely help firms achieve, drawing on real workflows, real customer experiences and lessons learned since the first phase of MTD for IT. Expect an honest discussion of where AI adds value, what to look for in a platform, and how purpose-built technology can support the way practices work today.

Speakers:

Eva Mrazikova

IRIS Software

Senior Global Product Marketing and Digital Transformation Leader

Paul Lodder

Dext

VP, Accounting Product Strategy

Jon Cooper

IRIS Software

Principal Product Marketing Executive