This special panel episode, recorded live at Accounting Business Expo, explores AI tools that are genuinely useful right now for accounting firms. With perspectives from firm owners and a software vendor, the discussion covers practical implementation, guardrails, and real-world results.

• Chris Wheatley, Kylie Baxter, and Tim Garth share how AI fits into their tech stacks
• Liam Hindle shares MYOB’s vendor perspective, including how AI is automating BAS preparation and removing the “work around the work” so accountants can focus on higher-value advice.
• Meeting transcription tools like Otter, Fireflies and Copilot are becoming essential
• Workflow automation using tools like n8n and ClickUp is reducing admin time
• AI agents, sentiment analysis and BAS automation are emerging opportunities
• Guardrails matter: paid accounts, privacy settings, and compliance boundaries are critical

The conversation reinforces that AI is not about hype. It is about removing grunt work so accountants can focus on strategic client advice and better outcomes.

Apps & Tools Mentioned:Otter – https://otter.ai
Fireflies – https://fireflies.ai
Microsoft Copilot – https://copilot.microsoft.com
Practice Ignition – https://www.practiceignition.com
Ignition – https://www.ignitionapp.com
Practice Protect – https://practiceprotect.com
Change GPS – https://www.changegps.com
Dext – https://dext.com
MYOB AE – https://www.myob.com/au/products/practice-solutions/accountants-enterprise
AccountKit – https://www.accountkit.com.au
Xero XPM – https://www.xero.com/au/practice-manager
BGL – https://www.bglcorp.com
BGL Infinity – https://www.bglcorp.com/infinity
Annature – https://annature.com.au
Seamless – https://www.seamless.com.au
Content Snare – https://contentsnare.com
Law Cyborg – https://lawcyborg.ai
n8n – https://n8n.io
ClickUp – https://clickup.com
Claude – https://claude.ai
Cursor – https://cursor.sh
Glean – https://www.glean.com
Abby – https://www.abby.com.au
OMBLE – https://www.omble.com.au
Planful AI – https://www.planful.ai
MYOB AI BAS – https://www.myob.com
Twine Apps – https://twineapps.com.au
Twine Biller – https://twineapps.com.au
Xero – https://www.xero.com
Intuit – https://www.intuit.com
Employment Hero – https://employmenthero.com

Episode resources and links:

Chris Wheatley, Director, Scope Accounting : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wheatley-fca-29398533/

Scope Accounting : https://www.scopeaccounting.com.au/

Small Business Accountants & Advisers Brain Trust, Australia FaceBook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/977122739056681

Kyelie Baxter, Managing Director, IQ Accountants

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyelie-baxter-fcpa-43224334/

https://iqaccountants.com.au/

Tim Garth, Podcountant, Director and Co-host of the Two Drunk Accountants Podcast, CATS Accountants

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-garth-11721370/

CATS Accountants : https://catax.com.au/

Two drunk Accountants : https://twodrunkaccountants.com.au/

Liam Hindle, General Manager - Product, MYOB

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamhindle/

https://www.myob.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/

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