---
title: UK accounting & business software media reputation tracker – August 2026
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Accounting & Business Software
period: August 2026
coverage_start: '2026-08-01'
coverage_end: '2026-08-31'
date_published: '2026-09-01'
last_updated: '2026-09-01'
organisations: 7
articles_analysed: 161
mentions: 69
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/data.json
summary: Sage had the highest average monthly share of coverage (53.6%) among 7 providers
  in UK earned media from 1 August 2026 to 31 August 2026, ahead of Xero (21.7%) and
  Intuit QuickBooks (11.6%).
---

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

> Sage had the highest average monthly share of coverage (53.6%) among 7 providers in UK earned media from 1 August 2026 to 31 August 2026, ahead of Xero (21.7%) and Intuit QuickBooks (11.6%). The Access Group had the most favourable net tone (+100). Omniscan analysed 161 articles containing 69 mentions of the providers tracked.

Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08

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

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Sage | 53.6% | 37 | 30% | 51% | 19% | +11 |
| 2 | Xero | 21.7% | 15 | 40% | 40% | 20% | +20 |
| 3 | Intuit QuickBooks | 11.6% | 8 | 0% | 25% | 75% | −75 |
| 4 | Dext | 4.3% | 3 | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0 |
| 5 | FreeAgent | 2.9% | 2 | 50% | 50% | 0% | +50 |
| 5 | IRIS Software Group | 2.9% | 2 | 0% | 0% | 100% | −100 |
| 5 | The Access Group | 2.9% | 2 | 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 (53.6%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 37 mentions and a net tone of +11.

August brought a 23-point rise to 53.6%, with financial and analyst coverage dominating amid scrutiny of Sage’s shares and the wider software sector. August 2026: share rose 23 points to 53.6% and volume increased by 11 to 37; stories included the Yooz purchase-to-pay expansion and Sage Intacct’s AI-powered financial controls. Sage and Yooz have expanded their purchase-to-pay automation partnership to additional markets, including the UK and Ireland. The integrated offering provides AI-assisted invoice processing and connected finance workflows for selected Sage products. Sage has launched its Sage Foundation Grow programme in the UK from the North East, providing four local charities with five months of expert support. The initiative draws on Sage leaders' expertise in areas including governance, recruitment, marketing and AI. The article explains how accounts-payable automation can integrate with Sage to streamline invoice processing, approvals and audit records. It presents automation as a complement to Sage for growing finance teams.

Key messages:

- Sage and Yooz have expanded their purchase-to-pay automation partnership to additional markets, including the UK and Ireland. The integrated offering provides AI-assisted invoice processing and connected finance workflows for selected Sage products.
- Sage has launched its Sage Foundation Grow programme in the UK from the North East, providing four local charities with five months of expert support. The initiative draws on Sage leaders' expertise in areas including governance, recruitment, marketing and AI.
- The article explains how accounts-payable automation can integrate with Sage to streamline invoice processing, approvals and audit records. It presents automation as a complement to Sage for growing finance teams.
- Sage's London-listed shares were trading 1.04% lower on the day as investors assessed its cloud accounting and payroll growth strategy. The article highlights recurring subscription revenue, cloud migration and customer retention as valuation considerations.
- Sage shares rose alongside European software stocks following reported US enterprise-software takeover discussions. The coverage considers whether consolidation could improve valuations for UK-listed software companies.

Leading themes:

- Financial & analyst: 64.9% of Sage's coverage (theme index 4.15, net tone +4)
- Product & AI: 18.9% of Sage's coverage (theme index 0.86, net tone +29)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 5.4% of Sage's coverage (theme index 0.12, net tone 0)

Notable positive coverage:

- 3 August 2026, enterprisetimes.co.uk: [Yooz, Sage team up to extend Purchase-to-Pay Automation globally](https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2026/08/03/yooz-sage-team-up-to-extend-purchase-to-pay-automation-globally/). Sage and Yooz have expanded their purchase-to-pay automation partnership to additional markets, including the UK and Ireland. The integrated offering provides AI-assisted invoice processing and connected finance workflows for selected Sage products.
- 26 August 2026, prolificnorth.co.uk: [Accounting and payroll software giant brings charity foundation to UK with native North East launch](https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/accounting-and-payroll-software-giant-brings-charity-foundation-to-uk-with-native-north-east-launch/). Sage has launched its Sage Foundation Grow programme in the UK from the North East, providing four local charities with five months of expert support. The initiative draws on Sage leaders' expertise in areas including governance, recruitment, marketing and AI.
- 18 August 2026, londonlovesbusiness.com: [Why Sage accounts payable automation matters for growing finance teams - London Business News](https://londonlovesbusiness.com/why-sage-accounts-payable-automation-matters-for-growing-finance-teams/). The article explains how accounts-payable automation can integrate with Sage to streamline invoice processing, approvals and audit records. It presents automation as a complement to Sage for growing finance teams.

Notable negative coverage:

- 26 August 2026, independent.co.uk: [FTSE 100 drifts lower as eyes turn to Nvidia](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/wall-street-nvidia-aim-dow-jones-industrial-average-nasdaq-composite-b3039836.html). Sage was among the FTSE 100's largest fallers, declining 3.8% after Intuit's weaker outlook prompted concern over accounting-software demand. The article reports UK market trading and identifies Sage's share-price reaction.
- 9 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Any Sage perpetual users getting countdown?](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/any-sage-perpetual-users-getting-countdown). A Sage 50 perpetual-licence user reports repeated offline validation countdowns after updates and describes workarounds intended to prevent licence-server contact. The post characterises the issue as pressuring users towards subscriptions.
- 27 August 2026, ad-hoc-news.de: [Sage stock slips as Intuit outlook weighs on FTSE 100 software peer](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/boerse/news/corporate-news/sage-stock-slips-as-intuit-outlook-weighs-on-ftse-100-software-peer/70007900). Sage shares fell 4.39% after cautious guidance from Intuit prompted a reassessment of accounting-software growth expectations. The report attributes the move to sector sentiment rather than a Sage trading update.

- [Sage deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=sage&view=deep-dive)
- [Sage PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/sage.pdf)

### Xero

**Making Tax Digital & HMRC shaped Xero's media profile during August 2026**

Xero ranked 2nd of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (21.7%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 15 mentions and a net tone of +20.

In August 2026, Xero recorded 15 mentions, 21.7% of cohort coverage and rank #2, with net sentiment of +20. Coverage focused on Making Tax Digital & HMRC. August 2026: Xero appointed Argonaut for a global AI-enabled brand campaign covering the UK and Ireland, reported by MediaPost. An Australian software company has been named a finalist in Xero's Global App Awards, presented in connection with the Xero app ecosystem and Xerocon London. The company serves customers including those in the UK. ApprovalMax was named UK Small Business App of the Year in the Xero Global App Awards. The release highlights the Xero app ecosystem's use by finance teams and accounting practices. An accountancy-practice user says Xero has become more expensive and includes functions they do not need. They report moving MTD clients to another vendor and say clients want to leave Xero.

Key messages:

- Xero used an AI-enabled production pipeline to create more than 600 localised campaign assets for eight markets in eight weeks. The global brand campaign supports its expansion strategy across the UK, Australia/New Zealand and North America.
- An Australian software company has been named a finalist in Xero's Global App Awards, presented in connection with the Xero app ecosystem and Xerocon London. The company serves customers including those in the UK.
- ApprovalMax was named UK Small Business App of the Year in the Xero Global App Awards. The release highlights the Xero app ecosystem's use by finance teams and accounting practices.
- An accountancy-practice user says Xero has become more expensive and includes functions they do not need. They report moving MTD clients to another vendor and say clients want to leave Xero.

Leading themes:

- Product & AI: 26.7% of Xero's coverage (theme index 1.44, net tone +50)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 26.7% of Xero's coverage (theme index 1.2, net tone −25)
- Other: 13.3% of Xero's coverage (theme index 3.6, net tone +50)

Notable positive coverage:

- 24 August 2026, roastbrief.us: [How Xero drove its global expansion with 600 AI-powered campaign variations](https://roastbrief.us/how-xero-drove-its-global-expansion-with-600-ai-powered-campaign-variations/). Xero used an AI-enabled production pipeline to create more than 600 localised campaign assets for eight markets in eight weeks. The global brand campaign supports its expansion strategy across the UK, Australia/New Zealand and North America.
- 21 August 2026, mediapost.com: [Xero Taps Argonaut For Global Brand Campaign 08/21/2026](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/417378/xero-taps-argonaut-for-global-brand-campaign.html). Xero appointed Argonaut for a global AI-enabled brand campaign that includes the UK and Ireland. The campaign supports Xero's growth strategy and localises creative assets across eight markets.
- 24 August 2026, marketingedge.com.ng: [Xero picks Argonaut to lead global "Love Changes Everything" brand push](https://marketingedge.com.ng/xero-picks-argonaut-to-lead-global-love-changes-everything-brand-push/). Xero selected Argonaut for its global brand campaign, which will roll out in the UK and Ireland as well as other markets. The campaign uses AI-assisted localisation and supports Xero's expansion strategy across accounting, payroll and payments.

Notable negative coverage:

- 7 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [XERO](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/xero-10). An accountancy-practice user says Xero has become more expensive and includes functions they do not need. They report moving MTD clients to another vendor and say clients want to leave Xero.
- 7 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Problems mapping Xero acc codes to HMRC for MTD](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/problems-mapping-xero-acc-codes-to-hmrc-for-mtd). A user reports difficulty mapping Xero chart-of-account codes to HMRC boxes after setting up Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. The post describes the process as complicated and frustrating.
- 3 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Client ignoring requests to set up bank feed - MTD](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/client-ignoring-requests-to-set-up-bank-feed-mtd). An accountant reports difficulty getting MTD clients to connect bank feeds in Xero for quarterly submissions. The post also asks how others handle quarterly adjustments in the platform.

- [Xero deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=xero&view=deep-dive)
- [Xero PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/xero.pdf)

### Intuit QuickBooks

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

Intuit QuickBooks ranked 3rd of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (11.6%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 8 mentions and a net tone of −75.

August produced a third-place ranking but a slightly lower 11.6% share, with company-focused discussion centred on e-invoicing readiness and difficulties using MTD submission dates and windows. A UK-practice discussion raises alleged QuickBooks Online gaps against EU e-invoicing requirements and asks how firms are preparing for the UK’s planned 2029 mandate. It contrasts QuickBooks with Xero’s Peppol integration. An accountant seeks help submitting a client's first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update through QuickBooks. They report confusion over the available quarterly submission windows and unhelpful support. Sage shares fell 4.39% after cautious guidance from Intuit prompted a reassessment of accounting-software growth expectations. The report attributes the move to sector sentiment rather than a Sage trading update. Sage was among the FTSE 100's largest fallers, declining 3.8% after Intuit's weaker outlook prompted concern over accounting-software demand. The article reports UK market trading and identifies Sage's share-price reaction.

Key messages:

- A UK-practice discussion raises alleged QuickBooks Online gaps against EU e-invoicing requirements and asks how firms are preparing for the UK’s planned 2029 mandate. It contrasts QuickBooks with Xero’s Peppol integration.
- An accountant seeks help submitting a client's first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update through QuickBooks. They report confusion over the available quarterly submission windows and unhelpful support.
- Sage shares fell 4.39% after cautious guidance from Intuit prompted a reassessment of accounting-software growth expectations. The report attributes the move to sector sentiment rather than a Sage trading update.
- Sage was among the FTSE 100's largest fallers, declining 3.8% after Intuit's weaker outlook prompted concern over accounting-software demand. The article reports UK market trading and identifies Sage's share-price reaction.

Leading themes:

- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 62.5% of Intuit QuickBooks's coverage (theme index 3.47, net tone −60)
- Financial & analyst: 37.5% of Intuit QuickBooks's coverage (theme index 0.88, net tone −100)

Notable negative coverage:

- 5 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [EU e-invoicing on QuickBooks -- how are you coping?](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/eu-e-invoicing-on-quickbooks-how-are-you-coping). A UK-practice discussion raises alleged QuickBooks Online gaps against EU e-invoicing requirements and asks how firms are preparing for the UK’s planned 2029 mandate. It contrasts QuickBooks with Xero’s Peppol integration.
- 4 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [MTD ITSA Quickbooks stuck on 1 April](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/mtd-itsa-quickbooks-stuck-on-1-april). An accountant reports that QuickBooks MTD for Income Tax clients remain set to a 1 April start date despite standard-period elections, preventing the intended submission.
- 3 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Quickbooks Quarterly Submission Windows](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/quickbooks-quarterly-submission-windows). An accountant seeks help submitting a client's first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update through QuickBooks. They report confusion over the available quarterly submission windows and unhelpful support.

- [Intuit QuickBooks deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=intuitquickbooks&view=deep-dive)
- [Intuit QuickBooks PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/intuitquickbooks.pdf)

### Dext

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

Dext ranked 4th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (4.3%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 3 mentions and a net tone of 0.

In August 2026, Dext recorded 3 mentions, 4.3% of cohort coverage and rank #4, with net sentiment of 0. With Otto launched Otto Capture, a receipt and invoice-processing product aimed at small accounting and bookkeeping practices. The article positions it within a competitive document-capture market that includes Dext and notes Xero's move into the area. Accountants describe errors and added workload caused by clients relying on general-purpose AI for financial and tax work. Dext research and its vice president highlight the scale of the issue and the need for professional oversight. A practitioner criticises unclear IRIS import-field mapping for CIS deductions under MTD for Income Tax and discusses HMRC API treatment. The article also notes that Dext Solo displays CIS suffered but does not submit it in quarterly updates. Product & AI accounted for 2 mentions. This small sample is directional: it describes the articles found in August but is not large enough to establish a durable reputation pattern.

Key messages:

- Dext recorded 3 mentions in August, so the findings are directional.
- With Otto launched Otto Capture, a receipt and invoice-processing product aimed at small accounting and bookkeeping practices. The article positions it within a competitive document-capture market that includes Dext and notes Xero's move into the area.
- Accountants describe errors and added workload caused by clients relying on general-purpose AI for financial and tax work. Dext research and its vice president highlight the scale of the issue and the need for professional oversight.

Leading themes:

- Product & AI: 66.7% of Dext's coverage (theme index 3.67, net tone 0)
- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 33.3% of Dext's coverage (theme index 1.47, net tone 0)

- [Dext deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=dext&view=deep-dive)
- [Dext PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/dext.pdf)

### FreeAgent

**Making Tax Digital & HMRC shaped FreeAgent's media profile during August 2026**

FreeAgent ranked 5th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (2.9%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 2 mentions and a net tone of +50.

In August 2026, FreeAgent recorded 2 mentions, 2.9% of cohort coverage and rank #5, with net sentiment of +50. FreeAgent warns landlords and sole traders about MTD for Income Tax late-submission and late-payment penalties. Its chief accountant advises keeping records current and using MTD-compatible software. HMRC data shows agents completed 69% of registrations for the first MTD for Income Tax deadline, while 50.5% of mandated taxpayers submitted quarterly updates. The article reports software-filing shares for TaxCalc and Intuit QuickBooks and discusses market participation by Xero, Sage and FreeAgent. Making Tax Digital & HMRC accounted for 2 mentions. This small sample is directional: it describes the articles found in August but is not large enough to establish a durable reputation pattern.

Key messages:

- FreeAgent recorded 2 mentions in August, so the findings are directional.
- FreeAgent warns landlords and sole traders about MTD for Income Tax late-submission and late-payment penalties. Its chief accountant advises keeping records current and using MTD-compatible software.
- HMRC data shows agents completed 69% of registrations for the first MTD for Income Tax deadline, while 50.5% of mandated taxpayers submitted quarterly updates. The article reports software-filing shares for TaxCalc and Intuit QuickBooks and discusses market participation by Xero, Sage and FreeAgent.

Leading themes:

- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 100.0% of FreeAgent's coverage (theme index 4.79, net tone +50)

Notable positive coverage:

- 7 August 2026, landlordtoday.co.uk: [How Making Tax Digital fines work (and how to avoid them)](https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/features/tax-and-finance/2026/08/how-making-tax-digital-fines-work-and-how-to-avoid-them/). FreeAgent warns landlords and sole traders about MTD for Income Tax late-submission and late-payment penalties. Its chief accountant advises keeping records current and using MTD-compatible software.

- [FreeAgent deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=freeagent&view=deep-dive)
- [FreeAgent PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/freeagent.pdf)

### IRIS Software Group

**Making Tax Digital & HMRC shaped IRIS Software Group's media profile during August 2026**

IRIS Software Group ranked 5th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (2.9%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 2 mentions and a net tone of −100.

In August 2026, IRIS Software Group recorded 2 mentions, 2.9% of cohort coverage and rank #5, with net sentiment of -100. A user asks how to change quarterly MTD obligation periods in legacy IRIS software and have the update reflected by HMRC. A practitioner criticises unclear IRIS import-field mapping for CIS deductions under MTD for Income Tax and discusses HMRC API treatment. The article also notes that Dext Solo displays CIS suffered but does not submit it in quarterly updates. Making Tax Digital & HMRC accounted for 2 mentions. This small sample is directional: it describes the articles found in August but is not large enough to establish a durable reputation pattern.

Key messages:

- IRIS Software Group recorded 2 mentions in August, so the findings are directional.
- A user asks how to change quarterly MTD obligation periods in legacy IRIS software and have the update reflected by HMRC.
- A practitioner criticises unclear IRIS import-field mapping for CIS deductions under MTD for Income Tax and discusses HMRC API treatment. The article also notes that Dext Solo displays CIS suffered but does not submit it in quarterly updates.

Leading themes:

- Making Tax Digital & HMRC: 100.0% of IRIS Software Group's coverage (theme index 4.79, net tone −100)

Notable negative coverage:

- 19 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [MTD - CIS Subcontractor Tax Suffered](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/mtd-cis-subcontractor-tax-suffered). A practitioner criticises unclear IRIS import-field mapping for CIS deductions under MTD for Income Tax and discusses HMRC API treatment. The article also notes that Dext Solo displays CIS suffered but does not submit it in quarterly updates.
- 4 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [Iris MTD calendar quarters](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/iris-mtd-calendar-quarters). A user asks how to change quarterly MTD obligation periods in legacy IRIS software and have the update reflected by HMRC.

- [IRIS Software Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=irissoftwaregroup&view=deep-dive)
- [IRIS Software Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/reports/irissoftwaregroup.pdf)

### The Access Group

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

The Access Group ranked 5th of 7 by average monthly share of coverage (2.9%) in the UK Accounting & Business Software benchmark for August 2026, with 2 mentions and a net tone of +100.

In August 2026, The Access Group recorded 2 mentions, 2.9% of cohort coverage and rank #5, with net sentiment of +100. The Access Group has agreed to acquire UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel, with completion expected in August 2026. Talent Funnel will be integrated with Access Evo to expand Access's hospitality workforce and recruitment capabilities. BrightPay released payroll updates including AI-assisted employee onboarding, embedded payments and reporting improvements. BrightPay is an Access Group payroll product. M&A, ownership & investment accounted for 1 mention. This small sample is directional: it describes the articles found in August but is not large enough to establish a durable reputation pattern.

Key messages:

- The Access Group recorded 2 mentions in August, so the findings are directional.
- The Access Group has agreed to acquire UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel, with completion expected in August 2026. Talent Funnel will be integrated with Access Evo to expand Access's hospitality workforce and recruitment capabilities.
- BrightPay released payroll updates including AI-assisted employee onboarding, embedded payments and reporting improvements. BrightPay is an Access Group payroll product.

Leading themes:

- Product & AI: 50.0% of The Access Group's coverage (theme index 2.58, net tone +100)
- M&A, ownership & investment: 50.0% of The Access Group's coverage (theme index 33.5, net tone +100)

Notable positive coverage:

- 3 August 2026, techmarketview.com: [TechMarketView](https://www.techmarketview.com/ukhotviews/archive/2026/08/03/access-adds-hospitality-hiring-with-talent-funnel). The Access Group has agreed to acquire UK hospitality applicant-tracking provider Talent Funnel, with completion expected in August 2026. Talent Funnel will be integrated with Access Evo to expand Access's hospitality workforce and recruitment capabilities.
- 19 August 2026, accountingweb.co.uk: [What's new in BrightPay payroll software for accountants and payroll](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/industry-insights/whats-new-in-brightpay-payroll-software-for-accountants-and-payroll). BrightPay released payroll updates including AI-assisted employee onboarding, embedded payments and reporting improvements. BrightPay is an Access Group payroll product.

- [The Access Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08?entity=theaccessgroup&view=deep-dive)
- [The Access Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08/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 – July 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-07.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", August 2026 (1 August 2026–31 August 2026), published 1 September 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-accounting-software-2026-08