WEEKLY EDITION BY MARINA MOUKA

Welcome to your latest Accountancy Age’s Weekend Digest, your go-to source for the week’s top insights and updates tailored for accountants.

In this edition you’ll find:

◾ Manual AP processes stall growth - smart tools free finance teams to focus on strategy, not paperwork.

◾ Agentic AI is here - Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel tackles complex tax and audit work so accountants can focus on strategy.

◾ Sage says goodbye to month-end. AI is reshaping accounting into a faster, more strategic profession.

INSIGHTS

Choosing the right AP tools to support business growth

As businesses scale, outdated accounts payable (AP) processes quickly become roadblocks. This piece breaks down how scalable AP tools—like automated invoice capture, customizable workflows, and seamless integrations—can transform finance teams from back-office processors to strategic growth enablers.

From reducing audit headaches to improving supplier relationships, modern AP systems deliver visibility, speed, and control. The takeaway? The right AP tech isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about leading with smarter, future-ready financial operations.

NEWS

Thomson Reuters launches agentic AI for tax and accounting professionals

Thomson Reuters has unveiled CoCounsel, a domain-specific agentic AI platform built to automate complex tax, audit, and accounting tasks. Unlike traditional chatbots, agentic AI completes multi-step assignments with minimal oversight—integrating tools like Checkpoint and the IRS code into real-world workflows.

CoCounsel promises to free up professionals for higher-value work while keeping human judgment in the loop. As skills shortages and compliance pressures mount, Thomson Reuters is betting big on AI’s ability to transform the future of professional services.

INSIGHTS

The end of month-end: How AI is changing accounting for the better

AI is disrupting the centuries-old accounting playbook, with tools that automate manual month-end processes and free accountants to focus on advisory work.

Sage CTO Aaron Harris argues that continuous accounting, real-time data, and intelligent automation are ushering in a new era—one where professionals lead with strategy, not spreadsheets.

By 2030, AI will slash time spent on routine tasks in half, creating new job roles like AI compliance specialists and systems integrators. The future of accounting isn’t just faster—it’s smarter and more human.