Fathom

Fathom is the tool many UK practices reach for when management accounts move from a trial balance export to something a client will actually read. Its job is turning Xero or QuickBooks data into reports, forecasts and commentary quickly enough that monthly advisory work remains profitable.

What it does well. It is mature and focused. Report templates, KPI libraries, three-way forecasting and consolidations are all well developed, and the Access Financials UK connector plus Xero and QuickBooks cover most UK clients. Commentary Writer is the right kind of AI for a practice: it drafts narrative from the report, but every figure stays traceable, so the reviewer checks rather than rewrites. Pricing is published in pounds and excludes VAT: Pro runs from £43 a month for one company to £350 for 25, and Portfolio, at £50 a month for 100 companies, lets a firm monitor its whole book cheaply and upgrade only the clients who buy advisory.

Where it falls short. The per-company maths matters. Pro companies cost real money once a firm has dozens on full reporting, and advanced features such as custom reports, three-way cash flow and consolidations need a Pro company, not Portfolio. Sage support is listed but not described, so Sage-heavy practices should test it before committing. The forecasting engine suits driver-based monthly forecasts, but businesses with complex scenario or headcount planning may outgrow it; Float is stronger for day-to-day cash flow, and Syft has the closer Xero relationship.

Best for. Practices of any size building a management accounts or advisory service on Xero or QuickBooks, plus groups and franchises needing consolidated reporting. In the 14-day trial, rebuild one existing client pack, test a consolidation with intercompany eliminations, and judge whether Commentary Writer's draft saves time once you have edited it to your house style. Then work out the monthly cost for your real client mix before rolling it out.

Verdict. A mature, accountant-friendly reporting workhorse with sensible, traceable AI commentary and clear sterling pricing, though per-company costs need watching as the advisory book grows.