No Accounting for Taste ep188: Spring tax update, cybersecurity and IPO’s
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.
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25:10
No Accounting for Taste ep187: MTD, agentic AI and audit sanctions
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.
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30:29
No Accounting for Taste ep186: New tax year, AI and acquisitive growth
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.
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30:09
NetSuite founder on AI progress, breaking down siloes and the one-person unicorn
Oracle NetSuite founder Evan Goldberg and senior vice president EMEA Nicky Tozer join AccountingWEB technology editor Tom Herbert to discuss new products launched at the show, how the developer is using artificial intelligence to connect businesses, and why technology could enable the first billion dollar company run by one person. For full show notes visit: https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/content/netsuite-founder-on-ai-progress-breaking-down-siloes-and-the-one-person-unicorn
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17:33
No Accounting for Taste ep185: A 2025 Spring Statement special
Rachel Reeves kept her promise with no tax changes in yesterday’s Spring Statement. With expectations low, Richard Hattersley recaps the key takeaways, including the eight consultations and policy papers released and looks ahead to what the Autumn Budget might bring.
One of the policy papers released confirmed that sole traders and landlords with incomes of more than £20k would be pulled into the system by 2028. Tom Herbert explains what this means and why Reeves didn’t mention MTD in the Spring Statement.
Matthew Ord shifts focus from the Spring Statement to HURST, an accounting and business advisory firm with big growth plans. He recalls his chat with managing partner Tim Potter on their strategy, recruitment challenges and tech investments.
UK