Reckon deepens AWS tie-up as AI lifts efficiency 30%

Reckon has expanded its artificial intelligence strategy through a deeper collaboration with Amazon Web Services and new product development across its software businesses. The programme is already producing efficiency gains in product development.

The Australian accounting software provider has placed artificial intelligence at the centre of its plans for product design, internal workflows and longer-term growth. It is applying the technology across both its core accounting software operations and Zebraworks, its legal technology business.

Sam Allert, Chief Executive Officer, said the company had recorded about 30% efficiency gains in product development as it embedded AI into day-to-day work. The focus, he said, is not on cutting jobs but on changing how teams work.

"Artificial Intelligence represents one of the most significant technology shifts we've seen in decades. At Reckon, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a fundamental enabler of how we build products, serve customers, and operate our business. We are investing meaningfully in AI across both of our businesses, embedding it into our workflows and culture.

"This is already delivering substantial results, with approximately 30% efficiency gains in our product development processes. Importantly, these gains are not about reducing headcount - they are about empowering our people. Our strategy is to combine high-quality talent with AI so our teams can move faster, innovate more effectively, and deliver better outcomes for customers. We believe this human-plus-AI model will be a key competitive advantage in the years ahead.

"We are also proud to work with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support our AI strategy, leveraging their cloud and AI technology, infrastructure, and expertise to accelerate delivery and ensure we are building on a world-class foundation. We have built a long-standing and highly successful collaboration with AWS, which has been foundational to our technology platform. AWS supports all our cloud infrastructure in Australia and NZ, and we have consistently benefited from strong uptime, security, and reliability. This gives us confidence in the resilience and scalability of our systems.

"We are now extending that collaboration into the next phase of our journey. AWS is working closely with us to support our AI strategy, bringing deep expertise and access to advanced AI tools and programs. Through dedicated AI initiatives and enablement programs, they are helping us accelerate innovation and bring new AI-powered capabilities to market more quickly and with confidence. AWS is invested in supporting Reckon's growth and innovation agenda, and we are proud to be working together as we scale our AI capabilities globally.

"From a product perspective, we have already taken important first steps. In our Legal division, we have launched DataQ AI in the United States, enabling firms to extract deeper insights from billing and collections data and drive more efficient invoice-to-cash processes. Across Australia and New Zealand, we are integrating AI into our accounting and payroll platforms for SMEs. These capabilities will focus on automation, intelligent insights, and improved user experience, with first releases expected in the second half of 2026.

"This strategy is already shaping our roadmap. Through our collaboration with AWS, we are building an AI-powered onboarding assistant designed to help new and existing customers get set up and running in our products as quickly and seamlessly as possible. We are also rolling out in-product notification enhancements that proactively alert customers to upcoming compliance obligations, such as Payday Super and STP lodgements, well ahead of time. Behind the scenes, we have delivered an improved bank feed and reconciliation experience, making everyday bookkeeping faster and more automated for our customers.

Our approach to AI is grounded in responsibility. We are implementing governance frameworks to ensure strong oversight, data security, and compliance as we scale these capabilities. Ultimately, our focus is simple - to use AI to help our customers work smarter, operate more efficiently, and make better decisions, while strengthening Reckon's long-term growth and competitive position," said Sam Allert, Chief Executive Officer, Reckon.

Product rollout

One of the clearest near-term developments is in the legal software segment. Zebraworks, which serves law firms in multiple markets, has launched DataQ AI in the United States to support billing and collections analysis and invoice-to-cash processes.

In its accounting and payroll software operations in Australia and New Zealand, Reckon is integrating AI features for small and medium-sized businesses. These additions are centred on automation, customer insights and user experience.

It is also developing an onboarding assistant that uses AI to help customers set up and start using products. The group is also introducing in-product alerts for compliance tasks including Payday Super and STP lodgements.

Another change already delivered is an updated bank feed and reconciliation process intended to make bookkeeping tasks quicker and more automated for users.

AWS role

The tie-up with AWS builds on an existing cloud infrastructure relationship covering Australia and New Zealand. AWS supports all of Reckon's cloud infrastructure in those markets, and the relationship is now being extended to include support for AI development and deployment.

That support includes access to AI tools, programmes and technical input as Reckon broadens its use of the technology. The collaboration forms part of a wider effort to embed AI in products as well as internal operations.

Governance focus

Reckon is putting governance frameworks in place as it expands AI use. Those measures are intended to cover oversight, data security and compliance.

The company, which has operated in accounting and payroll software for three decades, is positioning AI as a central part of how it develops products and manages internal productivity. Zebraworks, its legal technology arm, says its software is used in 52 countries by 40% of the AmLaw 200, 12 of the top 20 firms globally, and hundreds of mid-size firms.

The clearest performance figure disclosed so far is the reported 30% efficiency gain in product development processes as AI is adopted more widely across the business.