9 answers
Abel
Student
Sherman, Texas
2
Questions
Updated
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To what extent is the accounting profession at risk of being replaced or transformed by artificial intelligence?
I am a graduating senior looking forward to study accounting in college.
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9 answers
Ilan Marouani, Esq., LL.M.
Tax Attorney
27
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ilan’s Answer
Hi Abel,
I wouldn't say replace is coming any time soon to Accounting. Too many details, specifics, and complex issues that always arise in accounting.
However, the industry is being reshaped by AI, and some tasks are disappearing, but it will not steal away the jobs, just enable accountants to focus on more meaningful issues and tasks.
For example, imagine working for a big company, having to review hundreds if not thousands documents to do their accounting on a monthly basis. That would be a task for a new account to do, and an annoying one at best.
So now with AI, or an automated chat, you can upload these documents directly to it, receive an output, review the output quickly, have the AI even triage the documents, and putting them in organized folders for you. Instead of spending a whole week on this task, you are done with it within a few hours.
So yes, maybe companies are thinking, "why hire 5 accountants, since our biggest tasks that required a lot of time before, can be done so much quickier." So you have to gain new skills. Just knowing excel might not be enough anymore, or doing a pivot table not a factor in your hiring or skills that is considered necessary today.
It is kind of when the internet popped up, and you knew how to navigate it early on. You were a major asset, and instead of needing 50 people doing research in books and what not, companies could use one person to research things online in a matter of minute (the internet was slow back then).
If you are interested in accounting, I would say to do some research online, see what is fully happening to the industry, learn how to use the new tools that seem to be useful, and become proficient at them. Knowing how to use excel might still be needed, but knowing how to use a AI that can help the company shorten the length of time, money, and energy on a task would be worth that a million times.
I hope that helps.
Good luck!
I wouldn't say replace is coming any time soon to Accounting. Too many details, specifics, and complex issues that always arise in accounting.
However, the industry is being reshaped by AI, and some tasks are disappearing, but it will not steal away the jobs, just enable accountants to focus on more meaningful issues and tasks.
For example, imagine working for a big company, having to review hundreds if not thousands documents to do their accounting on a monthly basis. That would be a task for a new account to do, and an annoying one at best.
So now with AI, or an automated chat, you can upload these documents directly to it, receive an output, review the output quickly, have the AI even triage the documents, and putting them in organized folders for you. Instead of spending a whole week on this task, you are done with it within a few hours.
So yes, maybe companies are thinking, "why hire 5 accountants, since our biggest tasks that required a lot of time before, can be done so much quickier." So you have to gain new skills. Just knowing excel might not be enough anymore, or doing a pivot table not a factor in your hiring or skills that is considered necessary today.
It is kind of when the internet popped up, and you knew how to navigate it early on. You were a major asset, and instead of needing 50 people doing research in books and what not, companies could use one person to research things online in a matter of minute (the internet was slow back then).
If you are interested in accounting, I would say to do some research online, see what is fully happening to the industry, learn how to use the new tools that seem to be useful, and become proficient at them. Knowing how to use excel might still be needed, but knowing how to use a AI that can help the company shorten the length of time, money, and energy on a task would be worth that a million times.
I hope that helps.
Good luck!
I appreciate it! I was considering getting a bookkeeping certificate to work while in college and gain experience, but now I would definitely plan to research the local job market and how AI is affecting entry level positions before making a decision.
Abel
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
145
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Abel,
AI will likely transform accounting rather than replace it. Routine tasks like data entry, transaction processing, and basic bookkeeping are already being automated, but roles that involve judgment, analysis, and financial decision-making will still require human expertise.
In the future, accountants will spend less time on manual work and more time on areas like financial analysis, compliance, and advising businesses. Those who learn to use AI tools effectively will likely have an advantage in the profession.
AI will likely transform accounting rather than replace it. Routine tasks like data entry, transaction processing, and basic bookkeeping are already being automated, but roles that involve judgment, analysis, and financial decision-making will still require human expertise.
In the future, accountants will spend less time on manual work and more time on areas like financial analysis, compliance, and advising businesses. Those who learn to use AI tools effectively will likely have an advantage in the profession.
Shawndra Winter
Content Strategist, Organizational Development
22
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Shawndra’s Answer
Accounting is not disappearing because of AI. It is changing.
That means some parts of the job will get automated a lot, especially the repetitive stuff like data entry, basic reconciliations, and routine bookkeeping work. But that is not the same as saying “accountants won’t be needed.”
Businesses will still need people who can understand financial information, catch mistakes, ask good questions, make judgment calls, explain what the numbers mean, and make sure things are being done ethically and correctly. AI can help with the work, but it does not really replace the human responsibility behind it.
So as a student, I would not look at accounting and think, “Is this field going away?” I would look at it more like, “What kind of accountant should I become in an AI world?”
That means some parts of the job will get automated a lot, especially the repetitive stuff like data entry, basic reconciliations, and routine bookkeeping work. But that is not the same as saying “accountants won’t be needed.”
Businesses will still need people who can understand financial information, catch mistakes, ask good questions, make judgment calls, explain what the numbers mean, and make sure things are being done ethically and correctly. AI can help with the work, but it does not really replace the human responsibility behind it.
So as a student, I would not look at accounting and think, “Is this field going away?” I would look at it more like, “What kind of accountant should I become in an AI world?”
Thank you for the advice, Shawndra.
Abel
Mike Quintal
Technology Leader
12
Answers
La Quinta, California
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Transformed for sure. But the tech simply allows us to provide more value more quickly - doesn't eliminate the need for accounting services. Growth in AI capabilities could shift some of these activities to technology companies and businesses, but the need for accounting skills will still exist. Also, remember that for public companies, independent review is important for markets/investment companies and this need does not go away because our tool kit has improved. Companies will also continue to seek advise from accounting firms for high value/risky decisions and positions as a way to manage risk. Should be an interesting transition for sure!
Dwight Thomas
Consultant
39
Answers
Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Updated
Dwight’s Answer
Hi Abel,
I hope all is well! This is a great question! The accounting profession is being significantly transformed by artificial intelligence. AI is already handling repetitive tasks like data entry, reconciliations, and basic reporting which means the role is shifting away from manual work. However, accounting still relies on human judgment, interpretation, and communication where understanding context and making decisions is essential.
For students, this means the profession is evolving rather than disappearing. Those who learn how to work alongside AI such as focus on higher value skills like analysis, problem solving and communication will stand out more in the market. The future of accounting is less about just preparing numbers and more about explaining them and helping businesses make better decisions.
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please reach out with any additional questions. Hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
I hope all is well! This is a great question! The accounting profession is being significantly transformed by artificial intelligence. AI is already handling repetitive tasks like data entry, reconciliations, and basic reporting which means the role is shifting away from manual work. However, accounting still relies on human judgment, interpretation, and communication where understanding context and making decisions is essential.
For students, this means the profession is evolving rather than disappearing. Those who learn how to work alongside AI such as focus on higher value skills like analysis, problem solving and communication will stand out more in the market. The future of accounting is less about just preparing numbers and more about explaining them and helping businesses make better decisions.
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please reach out with any additional questions. Hope to talk soon!
Thank you,
Dwight
Stephanie Woodard
Controller, CPA, CMA
7
Answers
Shalimar, Florida
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
There are areas of accounting that will be impacted by AI, but I firmly believe these are items that take the "busy" work aspect off our plates and allow us to focus on higher level strategic work. Those that evolve with the changes and are willing to use AI to their advantage to gain efficiencies will be successful in their endeavors. There is a growing gap of accounting professionals that is only getting more challenging to fill, you shouldn't have a problem finding a position and if you are willing to move with AI you will be in a great position to be on the forefront of the new age of accounting.
Sabrina Boulware
barista
2
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Sabrina’s Answer
The accounting profession is not on the verge of being replaced by AI—but it is being fundamentally reshaped. The best way to understand it is not “replacement vs. safety,” but which parts are disappearing, which are evolving, and which are becoming more valuable.
Thank you!
Abel
Madisen Mead, CPA
Auditor
5
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Madisen’s Answer
Hi Abel, thanks for asking such a great question. I work at a big 4 accounting firm, and we hear this a lot. It's exciting to see how new technologies are helping us with auditing and assessments. While AI doesn't replace our judgment, it makes our work easier and more efficient. I'm really looking forward to seeing even more amazing tools in the future that will support us in our careers!
Steven Graham
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller, VP Finance
29
Answers
Boynton Beach, Florida
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Abel-
To see how AI is expected to change the accounting profession, take a look at the March issue of the AICPA magazine and the Wall Street articles in the apr 7 and April 10 issues. They lay out very clearly the effect AI is currently expected to affect the profession and how the big 4 accounting firms are making related changes to the manner in which they operate.
Whatever you do in college, AI has to be an integral part of your training.
Good luck.
To see how AI is expected to change the accounting profession, take a look at the March issue of the AICPA magazine and the Wall Street articles in the apr 7 and April 10 issues. They lay out very clearly the effect AI is currently expected to affect the profession and how the big 4 accounting firms are making related changes to the manner in which they operate.
Whatever you do in college, AI has to be an integral part of your training.
Good luck.
This is a great piece of information, thanks.
Abel
Hey Steven, could you please drop the links to the articles you mentioned? It would also be helpful if you could share a few lines of what is changing as many articles from major publications tend to be hidden behind paywalls
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2026/feb/how-ai-is-transforming-the-audit-and-what-it-means-for-cpas/
https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/in-this-critical-part-of-audits-the-accountants-role-is-shrinking-fast-69c7f2bc
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/accountants-audit-inventory-tax-day-59b1b71f
If anyone hits a paywall, please let me know and I'll copy and post the whole doc...
Steven Graham