On the Ground at Accounting & Business Expo 2026 🎤

The Sydney Accounting & Business Expo 2026 was one of the most energised and well-attended events I have seen in years. AI dominated the conversation, AML reform is reshaping workflows, and innovation across practice management, tax research, onboarding and payments is accelerating fast. This episode captures conversations directly from the expo floor. You will hear insights from keynote takeaways and interviews with founders, product leaders and firm owners building practical solutions for modern accounting firms. Key Discussion Points AI Strategy & LLM Insights, including commentary on Claude, ChatGPT, prompting techniques and why leaders must build hands-on AI capability Practice Management solutions on AI-enabled workflows, month-end automation, advisory reporting and co-worker agents AML & Client Onboarding Tools featuring Seamless, Content Snare and Annature responding to Tranche 2 requirements Tax Research Innovation with Law Cyborg and Tax Guru AI focused on verified, citation-backed AI research Firm Evolution & Financial Independence, including Natalie Lennon’s lifestyle firm model and Shaye Thyer’s CFO advisory for female founders The common theme throughout the expo was clear. We are in another platform shift. Firms that lean into AI experimentation, workflow automation and smarter onboarding processes will create capacity, improve margins and better serve clients. This episode is a snapshot of where the profession stands right now. Curious, slightly cautious, but moving forward with intention. Here is who I spoke with: Kayur Patel – Director, Gen AI & Emerging Tech at PwC Kayur unpacked AI with clarity and calm authority, encouraging accountants to become hands-on fast followers and treat AI as a trained digital team member rather than a magic solution. I shared his insight in my own words. Natalie Lennon – Two Sides Accounting Natalie shared her journey of intentionally redesigning her firm around lifestyle and purpose, reminding us that success in practice is something we can define and rebuild on our own terms. Mary Delaney – CEO of Karbon Mary spoke with deep conviction about the future of AI-enabled firms, where humans and intelligent systems work side by side to elevate the work accountants do best. Manraj Singh Rahi – Product Lead, Law Cyborg Manraj explained how structured, citation-led AI can support confident tax research, positioning technology as a reliable second set of eyes rather than a risky shortcut. Samuel David – Founder of Actually Count Samuel shared a heartfelt journey from persistence in his studies to building a solution that removes BAS friction, showing how lived experience often drives the most practical innovation. Clayton Woods – Co-founder of Seamless Clayton highlighted the quiet inefficiencies in onboarding and re-engagement, demonstrating how thoughtful automation can simplify processes accountants have long accepted as clunky. James Rose – Co-founder of Content Snare James reflected on solving one of the profession’s most persistent frustrations, turning the back-and-forth of client data collection into a structured, accountable process. Ben Gill – Executive Director, Lightyear Docs Ben reframed document creation as an opportunity for deeper client value, encouraging accountants to step into conversations around asset protection and long-term wealth. Michael Jeffries – CEO of Tax Guru Michael outlined a future where highly specialised AI agents deliver fast, structured tax insights, backed by curated expertise rather than generic internet scraping. Shaye Thyer – Finance Coach for Women in Business Shaye brought a powerful blend of practical financial strategy and lived experience, focusing on helping women build capability, confidence, and genuine financial independence. Corey Cacic – CEO of Annature Corey shared how Annature continues to evolve from e-signing into a broader workflow solution, with a strong focus on practical compliance and making everyday processes smoother for firms. Apps & Tools Mentioned: Claude – https://claude.ai ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com Perplexity – https://www.perplexity.ai Copilot (Microsoft Copilot) – https://copilot.microsoft.com Karbon – https://karbonhq.com Seamless – https://seamlessapp.com.au Content Snare – https://contentsnare.com Annature – https://annature.com.au Law Cyborg – https://lawcyborg.com Tax Guru AI – https://taxguru.ai LightYear Docs – https://lightyeardocs.com.au Actually Count – https://actuallycount.com Xero – https://www.xero.com XPM (Xero Practice Manager) – https://www.xero.com/au/accounting-software/practice-manager/ FYI – https://www.fyidocs.com Dropbox – https://www.dropbox.com Suite Files – https://suitefiles.com Zapier – https://zapier.com Episode resources and links: Kayur Patel - Director, Gen AI & Emerging Tech at PwC https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayur-patel-nz/ Shared an overview of two talks he gave on AI.   Natalie Lennon of Two Sides Accounting linkedin.com/in/natalielennon twosides.com.au   Mary Delaney, CEO of  Karbon linkedin.com/in/marywdelaney karbonhq.com   Manraj Singh Rahi Product Lead at Law Cyborg linkedin.com/in/manraj-singh-rahilaw https://www.lawcyborg.com/au/   Samuel David, founder of Actually Count https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpravindavid/  linkedin.com/in/samuelpravin    Clayton Woods, co-founder Seamlss  linkedin.com/in/0claytonwood seamlss.com.au    James Rose, co-founder Content Snare https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrose0/ https://contentsnare.com/    Ben Gill, Executive Director of Light Year Docs https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-gill-b336b928/ https://www.lightyeardocs.com.au/    Michael Jeffries, CEO of Tax Guru https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjeffriess/  https://www.tax-guru.ai/   Shaye Thyer, Finance Coach for women in business linkedin.com/in/shayethyer https://www.wearepallas.io/    Corey Cacic, CEO of Annature linkedin.com/in/coreyannature  https://www.annature.com.au/    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