NEWS

Starling Group has announced an agreement to acquire Ember, a UK-based accounting fintech company, for an undisclosed sum.   

The acquisition aims to integrate Ember’s digital tax and bookkeeping software into Starling Bank’s existing app and online banking platform, providing small business owners with a solution for managing finances including bank transactions and tax submissions.  

Starling said the integration comes as many sole traders, landlords, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not yet prepared for the UK’s Making Tax Digital initiative, which becomes compulsory from April 2026.   

The legislation mandates that sole traders and landlords earning above a certain threshold submit quarterly tax reports to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) using approved software, alongside their annual self-assessment.  

Ember’s software, recognised by HMRC, is designed to assist business owners in meeting these requirements.   

Starling Group CFO Declan Ferguson said: “We are a natural fintech consolidator, so targeted acquisitions like Ember will form a key part of our strategy as we continue to develop Starling Bank in the UK and Engine by Starling overseas.   

“Just as Fleet Mortgages has flourished since we bought it in 2021, I am confident that Ember’s best-in-class tools will become a fantastic addition to Starling Bank’s offering.”  

Ember co-founders Daniel Hogan and Aaron Shaw said: “We created Ember to take the pain out of accounting for small businesses – to help people make faster, clearer financial decisions without the stress.   

“Making Tax Digital has created a real call to action for SMEs and Ember provides the solution to this. Our deal with Starling Group will mean that we are setting a new standard for how banking and accounting should work together – seamlessly integrated and refreshingly simple.”  

Starling Bank, which is said to have a 9% market share in small business banking, plans to fully integrate Ember’s software by the end of 2025, facilitating compliance with the new digital tax legislation.  

Currently, Ember caters to clients of major banks such as HSBC, Revolut, Barclays and Lloyds.   

However, from 2026, its software will be exclusive to Starling Bank customers.   

Starling also plans to discontinue Ember’s accountancy advisory services following the acquisition, which remains subject to customary closing conditions.  

Grant Thornton Advisors has unveiled plans to invest $1bn over the next three years to integrate advanced AI tools and technology across its multinational professional-services platform.   

The initiative seeks to upgrade the workforce by integrating AI tools, improving the company’s proficiency in accounting, tax and advisory functions. 

The investment is part of the company’s strategy to develop a technology infrastructure that aligns with market needs and supports its growth.   

Currently, the firm is in the process of equipping more than 13,500 employees in 60 offices worldwide with Microsoft 365 Copilot.   

This follows an initial pilot phase where the AI tool was tested with a smaller group of professionals.   

The expectation is that these benefits will be amplified as the technology becomes a standard tool for all employees, integrated with internal Grant Thornton data and Microsoft applications.  

The recent investment by New Mountain Capital, which manages approximately $55bn in assets, has fuelled the firm’s AI initiatives.   

Over the past year, Grant Thornton Advisors has progressed in implementing an AI maturity model within its services.   

This includes the launch of CompliAI, an AI solution designed to assist clients in risk management and assessment through technology and a specialised language model.  

Since its inception in January 2025, Grant Thornton Advisors has been expanding its multi-disciplinary platform, announcing collaborations with accounting and consulting firms in several regions, including Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland/Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, plus the Cayman Islands and the Channel Islands.

The firm’s growth strategy also includes the acquisition of Auxis, a company specialising in outsourcing and business modernisation, and the addition of Stax, a strategy consulting firm known for its work with private equity firms, to its platform.  

Grant Thornton Advisors CEO Jim Peko said: “This isn’t just about investing in AI and technology, it’s about investing in our people. We’re giving every professional across our multinational platform — from Chicago to Dubai — the kinds of tools they need to work smarter, faster and in keeping with their individual styles. The result is something that is uniquely Grant Thornton: People who are empowered do their best work so clients benefit from the quality and results they need.”  

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced new regulations allowing chartered accountants (CAs) to establish minor companies in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

The move is intended to relax the existing exclusivity rules for CAs and enhance India’s standing in the global accounting sector, the Times of India reported. 

The GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) is being developed to attract a significant number of bookkeeping, accounting, taxation and financial crime compliance services (BATF) practices from across the country. 

Previously, CAs who were partners in a company were prohibited from joining any other company to prevent monopolistic practices concerning work related to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). 

However, the ICAI has recently clarified that establishing a similar (mirror) company in the GIFT IFSC does not violate the exclusivity rule that applies to work within India. 

Aniket Talati, the former president of ICAI, said: “Earlier, a CA could not join another CA firm to avoid losing out on RBI and CAG empanelment works. However, IFSCA has offered a new opportunity, and to ensure GIFT City emerges as a global financial services hub, this relaxation has been given. 

“The ICAI is expected to announce the norms soon. If a CA firm with offices in other cities in India opens a mirror firm with similar partners, it will not lose exclusivity. This will enable CA firms from across the country to set up base at GIFT IFSC without losing out on domestic work.” 

Additionally, the ICAI has granted CAs the ability to retain two Certificates of Practice (COPs) – one in India and another in foreign jurisdictions such as the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – thereby allowing them to operate internationally. 

Current ICAI president Charanjot Singh Nanda was quoted by the news agency as saying: “With our reforms, CAs can have two COPs now and provide outsourcing accounting services. 

“We have decided that a CA can have two COPs, also to ensure India becomes a global leader in accounting. 

“Until now, a CA with a COP of India was not allowed to obtain a COP of another country. Now, we will allow COPs of countries like the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, among some others.” 

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has launched the AI Fluency Playbook to help its members better leverage the power of generative AI (genAI). 

This playbook offers practical advice on incorporating genAI into various accounting processes, the accounting body said. 

It features case studies that showcase the influence of AI on client interactions, reporting and the automation of workflows. 

Additionally, it provides toolkits and guides to optimise the use of genAI technologies. 

The AI Fluency Playbook also addresses important considerations such as bias, transparency and data privacy. 

It includes recommended practices for AI governance, implementation and risk management. 

Moreover, the playbook presents educational pathways aimed at helping members evaluate and enhance their AI competencies, said CA ANZ. 

CA ANZ Group Education and Marketing executive Simon Hann said: “The future of accounting will be shaped by those who can bridge human expertise with AI capability. 

“This playbook is our blueprint for building that future – one where chartered accountants lead with insight, integrity and innovation.” 

In April this year, CA ANZ launched a Certificate in AI Fluency to help accountants develop skills for using genAI in finance. 

The certificate curriculum was jointly developed by AI and technology adoption specialist Inbal Rodnay and Peter Williams, chief edge officer at Deloitte Centre for the Edge. 

The 20-hour programme included four micro-courses and two workshops led by experts. 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has unveiled a new e-learning initiative to assist its members in navigating the implications of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) within the finance and accounting fields. 

This programme, which follows the earlier Sustainability Accelerator Programme, provides members with practical resources that explore five key GenAI platforms. 

It includes guidance on potential applications and a structured approach for implementation. 

ICAEW noted that GenAI is currently influencing the profession, rather than being a future consideration. 

A recent survey conducted as part of their 2025 member research revealed that more than half of ICAEW chartered accountants view technology, automation and GenAI as significant opportunities and challenges.

While a notable 85% of respondents indicated a readiness to engage with AI, many expressed concerns about their preparedness, attributing this to insufficient training as a primary obstacle to adoption. 

To mitigate these concerns, ICAEW has established the GenAI Accelerator Programme, enabling members to register and gain insights into tools such as ChatGPT, CoPilot and Grok. 

GenFinance.AI, a firm specialising in assisting finance teams and practices with the adoption of generative AI, played a significant role in the development of the programme. 

GenFinance.AI founder Peter Beard said: “The finance and accounting profession has experienced waves of new technologies over the decades, but nothing like this. 

“The scope and scale of what GenAI can do, its flexibility and its cost-effectiveness mean unparalleled and democratised access to knowledge and capability. “It is one of the most fundamental technological changes of our time. GenAI is levelling the playing field, empowering professionals at every level like no other technology previously before.” 

UK-based chartered accountancy and tax advisory practice HaysMac has appointed Dom Noakes to the position of head of technology. 

Noakes has been part of the HaysMac team since 2016, initially joining as an assistant manager within the Business Support team and subsequently advancing to the role of director. 

His experience covers various business services including management accounts, cloud advisory and cash flow reporting. 

Notably, Noakes has been influential in assisting the company’s early-stage technology clients through their growth phases and has worked closely with the Transaction Advisory team, the company said. 

Noakes said: “I am extremely excited and proud to be stepping into the role of head of technology. Our technology client base encompasses some of the UK’s most innovative businesses and fastest-growing companies, as well as household established industry names.

“The technology team at HaysMac is extremely talented and I am excited to build on this momentum to deliver even greater value to the clients we support now, and in the future.” 

Noakes’ involvement has been central to HaysMac’s integration of cloud-based technology solutions and in maintaining relationships with key service providers, including Xero. 

His efforts contributed to HaysMac being shortlisted as a finalist for Xero’s 2025 Large Firm of the Year. 

HaysMac partner and Sectors & Markets head Jon Dawson said: “Dom’s work has been key in driving forward the growth of one of the firm’s most established sectors, bringing fantastic technology industry knowledge to the firm’s clients across all stages of the life cycle. 

“The appointment of Dom reflects our continued investment in our expanding service lines and I am excited to see what Dom will do to further develop this exciting space.” 

The appointment of Noakes comes at a time of significant development for HaysMac, including a rebranding initiative.