AccountEx brings together over 300 top software and service suppliers with a CPD-accredited education programme. The Prevail team visited the 2026 event this May – here are our reflections about the show and the trends it revealed about modern accounting.

Exploring accounting excellence at AccountEx

Accountex London brings together 16,000+ accountants, in-house finance professionals, bookkeepers and industry experts from across the UK and beyond.

16,000+ attendees, 240+ sessions – including a panel discussion on which Prevail Accountancy founder Kasia was honoured to take part – and 300+ exhibitors… this year’s AccountEx was a high-energy and inspiring event.

These are our takeaways from the event.

#1. Technology is moving forward fast

We need to have a mindset to embrace the new opportunities technology offers us.

In particular, the exhibitors and sessions gave a great deal of focus and attention to the opportunities of generative AI. Kasia reports that the overwhelming consensus at the event was the need to willingly explore these new opportunities.

She says, “If you stay behind, you will become a dinosaur – and you won’t be able to catch up! There are amazing opportunities to escape the Excel, manual work and confusion.”

#2. Advisory is the differentiator in the age of AI

The consensus among accountants at the show was that, if AI absorbs a lot of the grunt work of accountancy, it also makes the advisory services that accountants offer their clients more valuable.

However, advisory services are more than sending reports. To add real value, your accountant should be truly present as a partner and a leader, helping clients to achieve their goals.

Kasia says, “Understanding the individual goals and contexts of each customer becomes more important to ground AI-augmented services and insights in tailored advice. And nothing can replace the experience that the Prevail Accountancy team brings to the table.”

#3. Focus on self-development

As business leaders we need to build good habits – and this is true for both accountants and our customers.

Integrity is more important than a thousand words.

#4. You are not alone when growing a business

It was interesting to hear other accountants talk about their growing pains when expanding their practices. Many comments resonated strongly with the Prevail Accountancy team because we hear our customers expressing similar sentiments on a weekly basis.

AccountEx offered us a wonderful chance to network and talk to others in our sector.

We encourage all small business owners – whatever sector you operate in – to reach out, find and attend similar events catering to your sector, network and talk to others. You are not alone.

Kasia emphasises, “When scaling up your business, it is important to do what you do best. Delegate and outsource what is not your core activity as this will give you the best opportunity to scale up.”

#5. It was an honour to be included on the Fathom panel

One of the most exciting new technologies that was getting a lot of attention at AccountEx was generative AI.

In fact, Prevail Accountancy founder Kasia was herself invited to take part in a panel debate about artificial intelligence (AI) by our friends at Fathom. The audience valued Kasia’s contribution and the perspectives she brought as a leader of digital transformation and software innovator.

Kasia said, “It was a fantastic experience to be part of the panel. Listening to everyone’s different perspectives and realising how much we had in common was so uplifting. I was deeply honoured to be able to share my insights with such a receptive and encouraging audience.”

What next?

If you’d like to share your feedback on AccountEx or any of the topics discussed in this blog, please join the debate on LinkedIn here:

And of course, as always, if you have particular queries about anything we’ve shared here, please get in touch with our team. We’re always happy to help.

Call: 01706 550 825

Message: https://prevailaccountancy.co.uk/contact-us/