Accountability takes DAS
We’re well and truly into events season and we wanted to give you a little flavour of what the team get up to when attending. We asked Justis - who recently attended the Digital Accountancy Show in London - about her experience.
My Experience at the Digital Accountancy Show in London
I recently attended the Digital Accountancy Show in London and let me tell you—it was nothing like I expected. When I first heard about it, the event was marketed almost as a "silent disco for accountants," and I thought well, that sounds cool and definitely different. What I didn’t anticipate was how exciting, innovative, and the sensory upgrade the whole experience would be. I was even able to meet my favourite F1 driver – Oscar Piastri (not really but it was a cool April Fools Joke).
First Impressions
Arriving at the venue, I was taken aback by how much it lived up to the hype. On day one, there was a massive line to get in, and you could feel the buzz of excitement in the air. Inside, the venue was darkened with colourful lights shining all around, creating an energetic atmosphere that immediately set the tone for the event. The opening talk by Dan Cockerton was nothing short of dramatic in the best way possible - with fire blasts, a Bulletproof remix blasting, and an incredible light show. It was a welcome departure from the traditional, sometimes dull, accountant conferences experienced before.
The layout was great, packed with a variety of vendors showcasing the latest tools, each one welcoming and eager to chat. It was easy to connect with them and learn about the software they were offering.
Standout Sessions
There were two sessions that really stood out for me. The first was the Apron demo, which I had been following for some time. Seeing the software in action was super exciting, especially with the new features they’re rolling out. The second session was a debate-style panel about whether traditional accounting skills are becoming obsolete due to AI. The panellists had to argue both sides, and it was fascinating to hear their arguments. In the end, the audience overwhelmingly agreed that traditional skills aren’t going anywhere—there’s still a huge need for human interaction, something AI can’t replicate. Jenny Blewett also shared a great tip about getting your team to try coding—it doesn’t have to be for everyone, but even if 20-25% of your team can get on board, it can really help automate processes.
What really struck me was how much this session made me think about the training available for junior accountants. A lot of the "grunt work" AI is taking over now was exactly where I learned the most early in my career. Those mistakes and challenges laid the foundation for my current understanding of the job.
Discovering New Tools
There were plenty of exciting software tools showcased at the event. As I mentioned earlier, Apron continues to impress, and Keeper was another tool that left a strong impression on me and my colleague, Becky. We had some great conversations with vendors about these tools, and I’m definitely interested in exploring them further.
Networking and Connections
The networking opportunities were fantastic. I had the chance to meet and connect with some amazing individuals, including Shona Barker and Deborah Worsell. One of the highlights was an evening out with Elspeth Cordray from A2X, Shona, Rosie, and Becky, where we had dinner at Fiume—an unforgettable evening and a perfect opportunity to bond and discuss everything from business to tech.
Impact on My Work
There were a couple of takeaways that I plan to implement in my work. First, I’m really inspired to start learning a bit of coding, after hearing about how Jenny Blewett’s team uses it to automate processes. Additionally, I want to focus more on building my social media presence, particularly because it’s such a big focus for Gen Z. I realized that I, too, check Instagram and TikTok for recommendations—whether for a new restaurant in a different city or local events—and Gen Z is definitely heading in that direction. It’s clear that if we want to attract the next generation of clients, we need to get serious about our online presence.
The Vibe
The overall vibe of the event was fun and innovative. The use of headphones for the talks was such a brilliant touch—it made listening to sessions so much easier, especially if you were further back in the audience. Random light shows and twinkling lights on the ceiling added an immersive, almost festival-like experience to the event. It definitely went beyond just vendor booths—it was about creating an atmosphere that kept attendees engaged and energized throughout.
Special shoutout to the food vendors as well, we had the most incredible pizza in the sun on the second day and it was such a great break in the middle of the day.
A Few Surprises
One thing that surprised me was how much of the content revolved around AI. Don’t get me wrong, AI is incredibly exciting and transformative, but after a while, some of the talks started to feel a bit repetitive. I would’ve liked to see more variety in the topics covered, but overall, the event was still incredibly valuable.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! The Digital Accountancy Show was an amazing experience. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with software vendors and network with other like-minded individuals in the accounting community. I’m already looking forward to the next one!