---
title: UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – July 2026
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Accounting & Business Software
period: July 2026
coverage_start: '2026-07-01'
coverage_end: '2026-07-31'
date_published: '2026-09-01'
last_updated: '2026-09-01'
organisations: 7
articles_analysed: 208
mentions: 85
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/data.json
summary: Sage had the highest average monthly share of coverage (30.6%) among 7 providers
  in UK earned media from 1 July 2026 to 31 July 2026, ahead of Xero (27.1%) and IRIS
  Software Group (15.3%).
---

# UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker: July 2026 (1 July 2026–31 July 2026)

> Sage had the highest average monthly share of coverage (30.6%) among 7 providers in UK earned media from 1 July 2026 to 31 July 2026, ahead of Xero (27.1%) and IRIS Software Group (15.3%). The Access Group had the most favourable net tone (+100). Omniscan analysed 208 articles containing 85 mentions of the providers tracked.

Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07

## UK Accounting & Business Software ranking by share of coverage, July 2026

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Sage | 30.6% | 26 | 58% | 31% | 11% | +46 |
| 2 | Xero | 27.1% | 23 | 52% | 31% | 17% | +35 |
| 3 | IRIS Software Group | 15.3% | 13 | 38% | 31% | 31% | +8 |
| 4 | Intuit QuickBooks | 11.8% | 10 | 40% | 0% | 60% | −20 |
| 5 | FreeAgent | 9.4% | 8 | 63% | 12% | 25% | +38 |
| 6 | Dext | 4.7% | 4 | 75% | 25% | 0% | +75 |
| 7 | The Access Group | 1.2% | 1 | 100% | 0% | 0% | +100 |

## Providers in detail

### Sage

**Sage leads coverage as AI and financial scrutiny alternate**

Sage ranked 1st of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (30.6%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 26 mentions and a net tone of +46.

July was at 30.6% despite reporting on nine-month revenue growth, Pay by Bank and expanded regional AI training. Sage reported 11% revenue growth in the first nine months, with UK and Ireland revenue up 10% and cloud revenue up 15%. It is expanding AI features across its accounting software portfolio and maintained full-year guidance. Sage and GoCardless have expanded their partnership to embed Pay by Bank in Sage Business Cloud Accounting for UK and Irish users. The feature enables instant account-to-account invoice payments and automatic reconciliation. Sage reported nine-month revenue growth of 11% to more than £2bn, supported by strong demand and subscription growth. It highlighted AI development, Sage Intacct growth and UK MTD tailwinds. Sage has expanded its Teens in AI partnership to launch an AI literacy and talent programme for young people across North East England. The initiative includes new AI courses and builds on Sage Foundation volunteering and education support.

Key messages:

- Sage reported 11% revenue growth in the first nine months, with UK and Ireland revenue up 10% and cloud revenue up 15%. It is expanding AI features across its accounting software portfolio and maintained full-year guidance.
- Sage and GoCardless have expanded their partnership to embed Pay by Bank in Sage Business Cloud Accounting for UK and Irish users. The feature enables instant account-to-account invoice payments and automatic reconciliation.
- Sage reported nine-month revenue growth of 11% to more than £2bn, supported by strong demand and subscription growth. It highlighted AI development, Sage Intacct growth and UK MTD tailwinds.
- Sage has expanded its Teens in AI partnership to launch an AI literacy and talent programme for young people across North East England. The initiative includes new AI courses and builds on Sage Foundation volunteering and education support.
- A user reports that Sage Accounting is unable to send an MTD submission because of a stated known HMRC data issue. The article asks whether other users are encountering the problem.

Leading themes:

- Financial & analyst: 42.3% of Sage's coverage (theme index 0, net tone +91)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 19.2% of Sage's coverage (theme index 0.6, net tone −40)
- Product & AI: 15.4% of Sage's coverage (theme index 0.43, net tone +50)

Notable positive coverage:

- 29 July 2026, cityam.com: [Sage accelerates AI expansion as revenue grows](https://www.cityam.com/sage-accelerates-ai-expansion-as-revenue-grows/). Sage reported 11% revenue growth in the first nine months, with UK and Ireland revenue up 10% and cloud revenue up 15%. It is expanding AI features across its accounting software portfolio and maintained full-year guidance.
- 31 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Sage and GoCardless expand partnership to add Pay by Bank for small](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/sage-and-gocardless-expand-partnership-to-add-pay-by-bank-for-small). Sage and GoCardless have expanded their partnership to embed Pay by Bank in Sage Business Cloud Accounting for UK and Irish users. The feature enables instant account-to-account invoice payments and automatic reconciliation.
- 29 July 2026, business-live.co.uk: [Sage focuses on AI development as revenues soar](https://www.business-live.co.uk/professional-services/sage-focuses-ai-development-revenues-34370181). Sage reported nine-month revenue growth of 11% to more than £2bn, supported by strong demand and subscription growth. It highlighted AI development, Sage Intacct growth and UK MTD tailwinds.

Notable negative coverage:

- 31 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Sage Accounting MTD Submission not sending](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/sage-accounting-mtd-submission-not-sending-0). A user reports that Sage Accounting is unable to send an MTD submission because of a stated known HMRC data issue. The article asks whether other users are encountering the problem.
- 23 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Sage Accounting Online - MTD Tax Error](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/sage-accounting-online-mtd-tax-error). An AccountingWEB user reports a Sage Accounting Online MTD tax-submission report error and asks when the fix will be available.
- 20 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [MTD for income tax on Sage - return dates](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/mtd-for-income-tax-on-sage-return-dates). An accountant reports that Sage’s MTD for Income Tax return output cannot be cut off at the requested quarter-end date. The author contrasts this with Xero, which they say handles the date cut-off correctly.

- [Sage deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=sage&view=deep-dive)
- [Sage PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/sage.pdf)

### Xero

**Xero ranked second overall amid a July concentration in product coverage**

Xero ranked 2nd of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (27.1%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 23 mentions and a net tone of +35.

Xero ranked second overall amid a July concentration in product coverage July 2026: Xero launched Industry Benchmarks using anonymised customer data, reported by Enterprise Times. Xero ranked second overall amid a July concentration in product coverage. Xero used Xerocon London to announce JAX AI features, Xero Force, Corporation Tax and the forthcoming UK beta of Xero Ultra. The company said it has 1.3 million UK subscribers and is expanding AI-led automation for accountants and businesses. Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy discussed AI integrations with Anthropic and Microsoft, Xero Force and Just Ask Xero. The article also covers UK compliance workflows and the planned UK beta launch of Xero Ultra. Xero's UK Xerocon event promoted AI-enabled practice workflows, including its Xero Force product announcement. Speakers also discussed accountants' adaptation to MTD, e-invoicing and automation.

Key messages:

- Xero has launched Industry Benchmarks in Xero Analytics, using anonymised customer data and AI-generated insights to compare small-business performance with peers. The feature is positioned to support business decisions and accountant-client advisory conversations.
- Xero used Xerocon London to announce JAX AI features, Xero Force, Corporation Tax and the forthcoming UK beta of Xero Ultra. The company said it has 1.3 million UK subscribers and is expanding AI-led automation for accountants and businesses.
- Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy discussed AI integrations with Anthropic and Microsoft, Xero Force and Just Ask Xero. The article also covers UK compliance workflows and the planned UK beta launch of Xero Ultra.
- Xero's UK Xerocon event promoted AI-enabled practice workflows, including its Xero Force product announcement. Speakers also discussed accountants' adaptation to MTD, e-invoicing and automation.
- The article describes Xero's Xerocon London 2026 event at Olympia London, attended by 2,200 UK and European delegates. It highlights the conference's small-business focus, senior Xero speakers and sustainability measures.

Leading themes:

- Product & AI: 60.9% of Xero's coverage (theme index 3.43, net tone +64)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 21.7% of Xero's coverage (theme index 0.71, net tone 0)
- Accountants & channel: 8.7% of Xero's coverage (theme index 1.08, net tone +50)

Notable positive coverage:

- 3 July 2026, enterprisetimes.co.uk: [Xero launches industry benchmarking intelligence for small businesses](https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2026/07/03/xero-launches-industry-benchmarking-intelligence-for-small-businesses/). Xero has launched Industry Benchmarks in Xero Analytics, using anonymised customer data and AI-generated insights to compare small-business performance with peers. The feature is positioned to support business decisions and accountant-client advisory conversations.
- 8 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Xero goes all in on AI at Xerocon London](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/accounting-software/xero-goes-all-in-on-ai-at-xerocon-london). Xero used Xerocon London to announce JAX AI features, Xero Force, Corporation Tax and the forthcoming UK beta of Xero Ultra. The company said it has 1.3 million UK subscribers and is expanding AI-led automation for accountants and businesses.
- 13 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Xero CEO on AI, the builder class and Xero at 20](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/tech/tech-pulse/xero-ceo-on-ai-the-builder-class-and-xero-at-20). Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy discussed AI integrations with Anthropic and Microsoft, Xero Force and Just Ask Xero. The article also covers UK compliance workflows and the planned UK beta launch of Xero Ultra.

Notable negative coverage:

- 30 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [An I alone in thinking Xero a con](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/an-i-alone-in-thinking-xero-a-con). A user criticises Xero’s automatic saving and VAT-adjustment workflow, describing the audit trail as cluttered and difficult to track.
- 14 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Processing CIS Subcontractors in Xero for MTD ITSA](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/processing-cis-subcontractors-in-xero-for-mtd-itsa). An accountancy-practice discussion raises difficulties handling CIS suffered amounts in Xero Simple for MTD for Income Tax. It contrasts Xero’s limitations with FreeAgent’s easier gross-up option and criticises Xero pricing.
- 10 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Xero faithful looking to jump ship - am I mad?](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/xero-faithful-looking-to-jump-ship-am-i-mad). An accounting practice discusses dissatisfaction with Xero pricing and usability, and considers alternatives including Sage Business Cloud. FreeAgent and QuickBooks are also assessed as unsuitable for more complex clients.

- [Xero deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=xero&view=deep-dive)
- [Xero PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/xero.pdf)

### IRIS Software Group

**IRIS finished fourth as coverage shifted around MTD readiness**

IRIS Software Group ranked 3rd of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (15.3%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 13 mentions and a net tone of +8.

July had the largest monthly volume, with 13 mentions, alongside a 15.3% share and third place, while independent reporting covered Surya Sagi’s appointment as IRIS’s first Chief Data and AI Officer. July’s agenda also contained several company-focused practitioner questions about MTD submissions, integrations and obligation updates. IRIS Software Group appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead enterprise data, AI strategy and governance. The article connects the role to IRIS’s acquisition-led platform integration, including Dext. IRIS promotes an on-demand webinar on building scalable modern accountancy practices, featuring speakers from IRIS, Dext and Galloways Accounting. It focuses on productivity, visibility and practice operations. The article outlines how accountancy practices can use integrated technology, resource management and pricing data to support growth. It presents IRIS Firm Management as a practice-management platform for this purpose.

Key messages:

- IRIS Software Group appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead enterprise data, AI strategy and governance. The article connects the role to IRIS’s acquisition-led platform integration, including Dext.
- IRIS promotes an on-demand webinar on building scalable modern accountancy practices, featuring speakers from IRIS, Dext and Galloways Accounting. It focuses on productivity, visibility and practice operations.
- The article outlines how accountancy practices can use integrated technology, resource management and pricing data to support growth. It presents IRIS Firm Management as a practice-management platform for this purpose.
- An IRIS Elements user reports that Foreign Property MTD quarterly submissions are not being submitted or received by HMRC. The issue is unresolved close to the filing deadline.

Leading themes:

- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 46.2% of IRIS Software Group's coverage (theme index 1.85, net tone −50)
- Leadership & workforce: 23.1% of IRIS Software Group's coverage (theme index 16.62, net tone +67)
- Accountants & channel: 15.4% of IRIS Software Group's coverage (theme index 2.22, net tone +100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 8 July 2026, itbrief.co.uk: [IRIS names first Chief Data & AI Officer Surya Sagi](https://itbrief.co.uk/story/iris-names-first-chief-data-ai-officer-surya-sagi). IRIS appoints Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer. He will lead the group's enterprise data, AI governance and responsible-AI strategy.
- 17 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [IRIS Webinar: How Modern Accountancy Firms Can Build for Sustainable](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/iris-webinar-how-modern-accountancy-firms-can-build-for-sustainable). IRIS promotes an on-demand webinar on building scalable modern accountancy practices, featuring speakers from IRIS, Dext and Galloways Accounting. It focuses on productivity, visibility and practice operations.
- 7 July 2026, techmarketview.com: [TechMarketView](https://www.techmarketview.com/ukhotviews/archive/2026/07/07/iris-makes-ai-a-board-level-product-and-data-priority). IRIS Software Group appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead enterprise data, AI strategy and governance. The article connects the role to IRIS’s acquisition-led platform integration, including Dext.

Notable negative coverage:

- 24 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Iris Elements Foreign Property MTD IT submission](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/iris-elements-foreign-property-mtd-it-submission-0). An IRIS Elements user reports that Foreign Property MTD quarterly submissions are not being submitted or received by HMRC. The issue is unresolved close to the filing deadline.
- 13 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [MTD - Live updating of 3rd party software](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/mtd-live-updating-of-3rd-party-software). An accountant asks whether IRIS Elements can provide live MTD obligation updates for clients using third-party filing software. The post describes manual refreshing as impractical ahead of wider MTD adoption.
- 10 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Absolute numpty](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/absolute-numpty). A Taxfiler customer migrating to IRIS Elements complains about an automatic renewal and a 90-day cancellation notice requirement. The customer seeks to downgrade and cancel before a higher-priced subscription renews.

- [IRIS Software Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=irissoftwaregroup&view=deep-dive)
- [IRIS Software Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/irissoftwaregroup.pdf)

### Intuit QuickBooks

**QuickBooks ranked third as product coverage gave way to MTD issues**

Intuit QuickBooks ranked 4th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (11.8%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 10 mentions and a net tone of −20.

July brought another fourth-place result at 11.8%, alongside company-focused broadcasts about advisory workflows and community reports of duplicate transactions, incorrect VAT treatment and MTD submission errors. An Intuit QuickBooks EMEA compliance manager advises accountancy firms on operational preparation for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly filing. The article highlights QuickBooks automation and error-flagging features as tools to support MTD workflows. An Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast argues that AI-driven automation makes hourly pricing less sustainable for accountancy firms. Intuit describes Intuit Accountant Suite capabilities including drafting follow-ups, invoicing, reporting and MTD-readiness checks. The article reports discussion from an Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast on reliable operational data as the basis for AI-enabled advisory work. An Intuit QuickBooks representative outlines a 30-day approach for firms adopting advisory workflows.

Key messages:

- An Intuit QuickBooks EMEA compliance manager advises accountancy firms on operational preparation for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly filing. The article highlights QuickBooks automation and error-flagging features as tools to support MTD workflows.
- An Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast argues that AI-driven automation makes hourly pricing less sustainable for accountancy firms. Intuit describes Intuit Accountant Suite capabilities including drafting follow-ups, invoicing, reporting and MTD-readiness checks.
- The article reports discussion from an Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast on reliable operational data as the basis for AI-enabled advisory work. An Intuit QuickBooks representative outlines a 30-day approach for firms adopting advisory workflows.
- An accountant seeks help resolving duplicate QuickBooks VAT-payment transactions that have left a VAT suspense-account credit balance. The post describes difficulty identifying and deleting the duplicate postings.

Leading themes:

- Service, security & outages: 30.0% of Intuit QuickBooks's coverage (theme index 11.25, net tone −100)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 30.0% of Intuit QuickBooks's coverage (theme index 1.07, net tone +33)
- Product & AI: 30.0% of Intuit QuickBooks's coverage (theme index 1.02, net tone +33)

Notable positive coverage:

- 30 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [MTD for Income Tax: four actions firms should take ahead of the first](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/mtd-for-income-tax-four-actions-firms-should-take-ahead-of-the-first). An Intuit QuickBooks EMEA compliance manager advises accountancy firms on operational preparation for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly filing. The article highlights QuickBooks automation and error-flagging features as tools to support MTD workflows.
- 13 July 2026, accountancyage.com: [Hourly pricing is the variable working hardest against your margin](https://accountancyage.com/2026/07/13/hourly-pricing-is-the-variable-working-hardest-against-your-margin/). An Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast argues that AI-driven automation makes hourly pricing less sustainable for accountancy firms. Intuit describes Intuit Accountant Suite capabilities including drafting follow-ups, invoicing, reporting and MTD-readiness checks.
- 6 July 2026, accountancyage.com: [Operational visibility is the foundation underneath every advisory conversation](https://accountancyage.com/2026/07/06/operational-visibility-is-the-foundation-underneath-every-advisory-conversation/). The article reports discussion from an Accountancy Age and Intuit QuickBooks broadcast on reliable operational data as the basis for AI-enabled advisory work. An Intuit QuickBooks representative outlines a 30-day approach for firms adopting advisory workflows.

Notable negative coverage:

- 7 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Quickbooks - duplicate transactions](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/quickbooks-duplicate-transactions). An accountant seeks help resolving duplicate QuickBooks VAT-payment transactions that have left a VAT suspense-account credit balance. The post describes difficulty identifying and deleting the duplicate postings.
- 3 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Quickbooks action required email message?](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/quickbooks-action-required-email-message). An AccountingWEB user asks whether an email about a QuickBooks system issue that incorrectly applied VAT to some transactions is genuine. The reported issue affected some clients on 26 June 2026.
- 2 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [QuickBooks MTD submission error](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/quickbooks-mtd-submission-error). A UK QuickBooks user reports repeated errors when submitting Making Tax Digital quarterly updates, while a VT Software submission succeeded. QuickBooks support reportedly said engineers were investigating the issue.

- [Intuit QuickBooks deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=intuitquickbooks&view=deep-dive)
- [Intuit QuickBooks PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/intuitquickbooks.pdf)

### FreeAgent

**FreeAgent’s MTD profile broadened through products and practitioner issues**

FreeAgent ranked 5th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (9.4%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 8 mentions and a net tone of +38.

July produced the largest monthly volume and a 9.4% share, alongside an independent warning about MTD penalties, a community discussion of the withdrawn Shopify integration, and contributed material on Joiin, mobile filing and the TaxAssist partnership. July 2026: share increased by 3.5 points to 9.4% and rank improved from sixth to fifth; Prolific North carried FreeAgent’s warning about MTD penalty rules. July 2026: FF News carried press-release or contributed copy on FreeAgent’s mobile capability for quarterly MTD submissions. FreeAgent and TaxAssist Accountants announce a UK partnership to provide digital accounting and MTD for Income Tax support to small businesses and landlords. The arrangement includes onboarding, training and commercial support for TaxAssist franchisees. Joiin has launched a direct integration with FreeAgent for automated multi-company financial-data consolidation and daily synchronisation.

Key messages:

- FreeAgent and TaxAssist Accountants announce a UK partnership to provide digital accounting and MTD for Income Tax support to small businesses and landlords. The arrangement includes onboarding, training and commercial support for TaxAssist franchisees.
- Joiin has launched a direct integration with FreeAgent for automated multi-company financial-data consolidation and daily synchronisation.
- FreeAgent has launched mobile capability for UK sole traders and landlords to submit MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates to HMRC. The update is positioned as reducing compliance friction ahead of lower future MTD thresholds.
- A practice-focused discussion says FreeAgent withdrew its Shopify integration in April 2025, leaving manual entry as the official route. It considers workarounds and moving ecommerce clients to Xero.

Leading themes:

- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 50.0% of FreeAgent's coverage (theme index 1.93, net tone +75)
- Accountants & channel: 25.0% of FreeAgent's coverage (theme index 3.85, net tone 0)
- Pricing & subscriptions: 12.5% of FreeAgent's coverage (theme index 2.41, net tone −100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 9 July 2026, ffnews.com: [FreeAgent and TaxAssist Accountants Forge Strategic Partnership to Scale Digital Accounting for UK Small Businesses](https://ffnews.com/news/freeagent-and-taxassist-accountants-forge-strategic-partnership-to-scale-digital-accounting-for-uk-small-businesses). FreeAgent and TaxAssist Accountants announce a UK partnership to provide digital accounting and MTD for Income Tax support to small businesses and landlords. The arrangement includes onboarding, training and commercial support for TaxAssist franchisees.
- 20 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [FreeAgent users can now connect directly to Joiin](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/freeagent-users-can-now-connect-directly-to-joiin). Joiin has launched a direct integration with FreeAgent for automated multi-company financial-data consolidation and daily synchronisation.
- 20 July 2026, ffnews.com: [FreeAgent Simplifies MTD Compliance with New Mobile Quarterly Tax Updates](https://ffnews.com/news/freeagent-simplifies-mtd-compliance-with-new-mobile-quarterly-tax-updates). FreeAgent has launched mobile capability for UK sole traders and landlords to submit MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates to HMRC. The update is positioned as reducing compliance friction ahead of lower future MTD thresholds.

Notable negative coverage:

- 28 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [FreeAgent + Shopify - how are you handling it?](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/freeagent-shopify-how-are-you-handling-it). A practice-focused discussion says FreeAgent withdrew its Shopify integration in April 2025, leaving manual entry as the official route. It considers workarounds and moving ecommerce clients to Xero.

- [FreeAgent deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=freeagent&view=deep-dive)
- [FreeAgent PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/freeagent.pdf)

### Dext

**Product & AI shaped Dext's media profile during July 2026**

Dext ranked 6th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (4.7%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 4 mentions and a net tone of +75.

Dext promotes a demonstration session comparing its purpose-built accounting AI with AI features embedded in Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. The session also covers managing MTD for Income Tax obligations. Dext promotes a demonstration session comparing its purpose-built accounting AI with AI features embedded in Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. The session also covers managing MTD for Income Tax obligations. Dext promotes a panel discussion on practical Making Tax Digital for Income Tax implementation, including software selection and quarterly filing issues. The event is aimed at accountancy practices preparing for the April 2027 phase. IRIS Software Group appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead enterprise data, AI strategy and governance. The article connects the role to IRIS’s acquisition-led platform integration, including Dext. IRIS promotes an on-demand webinar on building scalable modern accountancy practices, featuring speakers from IRIS, Dext and Galloways Accounting. It focuses on productivity, visibility and practice operations.

Key messages:

- Dext promotes a demonstration session comparing its purpose-built accounting AI with AI features embedded in Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. The session also covers managing MTD for Income Tax obligations.
- Dext promotes a panel discussion on practical Making Tax Digital for Income Tax implementation, including software selection and quarterly filing issues. The event is aimed at accountancy practices preparing for the April 2027 phase.
- IRIS Software Group appointed Surya Sagi as its first Chief Data and AI Officer to lead enterprise data, AI strategy and governance. The article connects the role to IRIS’s acquisition-led platform integration, including Dext.
- IRIS promotes an on-demand webinar on building scalable modern accountancy practices, featuring speakers from IRIS, Dext and Galloways Accounting. It focuses on productivity, visibility and practice operations.

Leading themes:

- Product & AI: 50.0% of Dext's coverage (theme index 1.76, net tone +50)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 25.0% of Dext's coverage (theme index 0.88, net tone +100)
- Accountants & channel: 25.0% of Dext's coverage (theme index 3.38, net tone +100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 21 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Built-in AI vs purpose-built AI: what your accounting software can't](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/built-in-ai-vs-purpose-built-ai-what-your-accounting-software-cant-do). Dext promotes a demonstration session comparing its purpose-built accounting AI with AI features embedded in Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. The session also covers managing MTD for Income Tax obligations.
- 10 July 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Live panel discussion with the MTD Therapy Group](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/live-panel-discussion-with-the-mtd-therapy-group). Dext promotes a panel discussion on practical Making Tax Digital for Income Tax implementation, including software selection and quarterly filing issues. The event is aimed at accountancy practices preparing for the April 2027 phase.

- [Dext deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=dext&view=deep-dive)
- [Dext PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/dext.pdf)

### The Access Group

**M&A, ownership & investment shaped The Access Group's media profile during July 2026**

The Access Group ranked 7th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (1.2%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for July 2026, with 1 mentions and a net tone of +100.

In July 2026, The Access Group recorded 1 mention, 1.2% of cohort coverage and rank #7, with net sentiment of +100. The Access Group is acquiring UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel. The business will join Access Hospitality and the Access Evo platform. M&A, ownership & investment accounted for 1 mention. This small sample is directional: it describes the articles found in July but is not large enough to establish a durable reputation pattern.

Key messages:

- The Access Group recorded 1 mention in July, so the findings are directional.
- The Access Group is acquiring UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel. The business will join Access Hospitality and the Access Evo platform.
- M&A, ownership & investment accounted for 1 mention.

Leading themes:

- M&A, ownership & investment: 100.0% of The Access Group's coverage (theme index 42, net tone +100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 29 July 2026, thecaterer.com: [Access Group acquires workforce management tech firm](https://www.thecaterer.com/products--equipment/access-group-acquires-workforce-management-tech-firm). The Access Group is acquiring UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel. The business will join Access Hospitality and the Access Evo platform.

- [The Access Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07?entity=theaccessgroup&view=deep-dive)
- [The Access Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07/reports/theaccessgroup.pdf)

## Methodology

- **Share of coverage**: an organisation's mentions divided by all mentions of the organisations tracked in the same sector that month, in UK earned media. It is the central measure of media visibility in Omniscan benchmarks. "Average monthly share" is the mean of the monthly shares across the reporting period.
- **Mention**: one article that covers an organisation, classified as positive, neutral or negative in tone. Articles are deduplicated, and an organisation's own websites and passing sponsorship name-checks are excluded, so only earned media counts.
- **Net tone**: positive mentions minus negative mentions, as a percentage of all mentions (range −100 to +100).
- **Themes**: every article is assigned to one of the sector's editorial themes. A theme index above 1 means the organisation is covered on that theme more than its peers are; below 1 means less.
- **Calculation**: every figure is computed directly from the classified articles; narrative summaries are checked against those figures.
- **Sources**: UK national and international, trade and specialist, regional and local, and aggregator and syndication earned media.

## Other UK Accounting & Business Software editions

- [UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – 2026 year to date](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-ytd.md)
- [UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – H1 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-h1.md)
- [UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – August 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08.md)
- [UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – September 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-09.md)
- [All Omniscan media benchmarks](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks.md)

## How to cite

Omniscan, "UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker", July 2026 (1 July 2026–31 July 2026), published 1 September 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07