Transaction risk intelligence
Automated supplier statement reconciliation
Supplier risk intelligence
Managed AP recovery audit
Supplier file performance review
Forensic risk analysis
Consulting and bespoke reporting
EMPOWER 2026
Our customer conference is dedicated to the world of purchase to pay risk management and best practices for finance teams. This year’s EMPOWER event was the best attended yet, fully booking all available spaces. The focus of the event was the theme: ‘Humans and AI, building value together’.
AI and innovation
FISCAL customers took their seats for sessions on a wide range of topics, with AI and innovation at the forefront. Sessions included a deep dive into how purchase to pay teams can work more effectively with AI, and dedicated workshops on key accounts payable processes. Kat Moy, Education Director for the Accounts Payable Association, gave a thoughtful presentation on how AI is influencing the way professionals learn, upskill, and grow, speaking from her own experiences.
The star of the show: A session sharing FISCAL’s latest software innovations, where customers saw how FISCAL is putting AI to work in AP controls. We heard from the product dream team, Ian Bamber, Chris Reed and Craig Smith, on:
Automated supplier statement reconciliation
The FISCAL team have incorporated agentic supplier communications seamlessly, enabling the AP team to complete most of the process within the software. This addition automates emails requesting statements and uses AI to create follow up emails if there is a discrepancy, so the AP team can get on with updating the ledger and recovering overpayments.
AI connectivity
The ability to connect FISCAL software with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and other AI opens a world of possibilities for P2P teams. Finance management can get real-time insights into their risk controls and reports, enabling them to analyse data and make informed decisions faster. Finance teams can run workflows from their AI, dipping into the software for deeper risk control work.
Credit monitoring
FISCAL users a can prevent supply chain risks with full context on the financial implications. The new functionality allows users to better understand the level of financial risk associated with each supplier, and gives relevant information to help them make business decisions, including historic risk scores and reasons for the current score.
Keynotes and sessions all about AI
The event opened in earnest with a rousing keynote on ‘Leading through uncertainty: Turning the unknown into an innovation advantage’, delivered by Pete Ashcroft, a lead facilitator of Uncertainty Experts. Pete delivered an engaging and thought-provoking session which focused on how to deal with uncertainty, both in and out of the workplace. Nearing the end, he talked about a few of the most common uncertainties his clients come to him with, focusing on job security.
The first day’s sessions ended with a dedicated product surgery, where the FISCAL product team spoke directly to customers, answering questions about the software functionality showcased earlier.
Gala and EMPOWER awards
At the sparkling 70s-inspired gala dinner and awards, the attendees gathered together to enjoy great food, acknowledge the incredible work that FISCAL’s customers do, and be highly entertained by a wonderful ABBA tribute band.
The FISCAL team was proud to give the following EMPOWER 2026 awards:
TOP PERFORMER IN PAYMENT PROTECTION
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust
NXG TRAILBLAZER
Northern Gas Networks
STATEMENT RECONCILIATION EXCELLENCE
Breheny Civil Engineering
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Guest Motors
RISING STAR
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
CHAMPION OF THE PUBLIC POUND
Brent Council
OVERALL CHAMPION and HONORARY FISCALite
Stuart Gagen – McCarthy Stone
CUSTOMER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Tracey Jones – Morgan Sindall
Panels and workshops for in-depth discussions
After a stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel and a brief roundup of learnings from the previous day, attendees took part in a workshop on AI in AP, discussing where their own teams are now and how that could look different in the future.
The partner panel discussion included representatives from the Purchase to Pay Network, Proservartner, Kefron, IFOL, and Oxygen Finance. It made for a highly educational piece on the practicalities of implementing finance solutions, touching on sector-specific challenges finance teams face. It touched on a wide range of topics, including how AI is shaping current finance practices.
A session with FISCAL CFO Frances Lawrence and Purchase to Pay Network CEO Ellen Leith covered everything that finance teams need to know on the upcoming e-invoicing mandate, set to arrive in 2029. There were plenty of questions at the end, discussing how the mandate would work in practice.
Closing the event, David Griffiths thanked the event team, partners and the FISCAL customers who attended. He encouraged attendees to speak to the team no matter what their challenges, emphasising how conversations on the day would shape how FISCAL plans for the future to deliver the best possible software and value consultancy for its customers.
