FAB, Accountex & DAS—Oh My! A Real-Talk Recap of 2025’s Accounting Events
Events. If you’ve ever tried explaining an accounting expo to someone outside the industry, you’ll know the look: somewhere between confused and politely concerned.
But for those of us in the industry, we know better. These events are our chance to break out of the inbox, shake hands (or bump elbows), and actually talk—face-to-face—with the people we’re trying to help.
This year, we hit the road (and rails) to attend three standout events: FAB, Accountex, and DAS (Digital Accountancy Show). Each had its moments of brilliance, its quirks, and its unmistakable value. Here’s our honest review of the 2025 accounting event circuit—and why, despite the aching feet and lost voice, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.
FAB: Small But Mighty
Vibe: Boutique, friendly, surprisingly punchy.
Location: Birmingham
Pros:
Intimate setting made conversations easy—no shouting over sound systems or losing prospects in a sea of booths.
Ideal for forging meaningful connections with smaller firms who might otherwise be overlooked.
Sessions were focused, well-curated, and hit the sweet spot between education and inspiration.
- Bright colours made it very fun.
Cons:
The footfall wasn’t huge. We visited on the second day which was quite quiet at times, so if you’re measuring success purely by volume, FAB might not be your winner.
Slightly limited exhibitor range, which made for a bit of déjà vu by lunch.
- Lunch prices at the event were very expensive!
Verdict:
FAB felt like having a really solid conversation at a dinner party, rather than shouting across a nightclub. If you’re looking for deep engagement over drive-by demos, it’s worth the trip.
Accountex: Excel-ling
Vibe: High-energy, high-stakes.
Location: London Excel
Pros:
Massive crowd = massive exposure. If you want reach, this is it.
Wide spectrum of attendees—from sole practitioners to enterprise software giants. Great chance to network.
Educational sessions galore, for those who remembered to plan ahead.
Cons:
With so much going on, it can be hard to make meaningful connections unless you’ve done your pre-event homework.
Not just for accountants, but for general finance too, which means not everything may be relevant to accountants visiting.
Verdict:
Accountex is the Glastonbury of accounting events. Big, bold, and a bit chaotic. (Pro tip: comfy shoes. Always.)
DAS (Digital Accountancy Show): The Trendsetter
Vibe: Modern, tech-forward—with just enough buzzword bingo to make it fun.
Location: Evolution London
This is the one event this year we attended as exhibitors, here is what we found:
Pros:
This one’s for the innovators. If your product has AI, automation, or the word “cloud” in the first sentence, you’ll fit right in.
Attendees were sharp, curious, and up for real conversations.
Talks and panels weren’t just informative—they sparked discussion, sometimes debate (which we love).
Cons:
More niche in focus, which is perfect for some, but might feel a little future-forward for firms still catching up on MTD.
The vibe is fun, but the layout could get cramped. Sometimes you had to fight a bit for space and signal. Additionally, the lighting was pretty dark and colours changed a lot, which was a bit jarring at times.
Verdict:
If you’re looking to learn more about AI and automation as it grows more prominent in the industry each day, it’s the one to watch.
Why These Events Matter—Even If Your Calendar’s Full
In an industry increasingly defined by remote work, automated tools, and client portals, events like FAB, Accountex, and DAS remind us of one thing: we still need to connect.
These events aren’t just about booth giveaways and collecting lanyards like Pokémon. They’re about:
Meeting clients and prospects face-to-face (and finally learning how tall they really are).
Getting unfiltered feedback from the people using—or avoiding—your product.
Networking with fellow vendors and discovering who’s solving the same problems from a different angle.
Letting accountants see the humans behind the software.
We often talk about how technology is changing the game. These events are where the people behind that change actually talk to one another and the accountants they’re wanting to help.
