What's New in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2025 Release Wave 2 - Finance and Governance

New Contoso Coffee Demo Dataset for Intrastat

A few versions back, Microsoft introduced the Contoso Coffee demo data tool, and it’s been steadily gaining traction across modules with every release. Just before version 25, we saw a shift from using configuration packages to generate demo data when creating a new company, to leveraging the Contoso Coffee tool. Now, Business Central is adding Intrastat configuration and data to the demo experience, making it easier for users to understand and streamline their Intrastat processes. Also you have a choice between generating just setup data, or setup and transactional data as this is a standard feature of the demo tool.

Create Multiple Fixed Asset Cards

While creating multiple fixed asset cards has always been possible, it’s been a bit of a manual process when purchasing several assets at once. Previously, you could create multiple Fixed Asset cards, but then you had to link each card individually to the purchase order one by one. This update seems to allow users to add a single line for multiple fixed assets on a purchase order and then generate the asset cards directly from the PO or invoice. Details are still sparse in the release plan, so we’ll be watching the launch event closely for more specifics.

Print the Audit Trail Report

Compliance just got a boost with the new Audit Trail report. This feature provides a clear and detailed record of all transactions, pulling data from the G/L Register and G/L Entry tables. It’s a game-changer for internal teams and auditors alike, ensuring every transaction is accurately recorded and easy to trace. This kind of transparency helps businesses stay audit-ready and reduces the risk of discrepancies.

Use the Account Payable Role Center

With the introduction of the Payables Agent and a renewed focus on the Payables module, Microsoft is rolling out a dedicated Account Payable Role Center. This new interface centralizes all tasks and documents related to accounts payable—think purchase documents, inbound e-docs (e-invoices and PDFs), and payment processes. By consolidating everything into one place, users can cut down on admin time, reduce errors, and boost productivity. It’s a welcome addition for finance teams looking to streamline their workflows.

Calculate Excise Taxes

Excise taxes—typically applied to goods like tobacco, alcohol, and sugar—have traditionally required manual calculation and posting. This release introduces a framework for automating excise tax calculations. Users will be able to set up rules for different products and regions, and let the system handle the math. While the initial rollout won’t include specific models or compliance reports, the framework is flexible and can be adapted to meet various requirements. This should help reduce errors and avoid penalties, especially for manufacturers and retailers. As with all new tax features this will probably be designed to be generic and work across all countries and requirements, and will allow for suggestions to shape future releases, looking forward to see this feature on release.