6 answers
Connor
Student
Bixby, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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How likely is it that AI will replace accountants #Spring26?
I would like to major in Accounting, as many people in my family are accountants, but I'm wondering if the job will be replaced by AI in the future. #Spring26
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6 answers
Irene Wu
Tax Manager
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Irene’s Answer
I am a Tax Manager at a Big 4 accounting firm and hold a CPA license. I definitely feel the power of AI, as it has made work more efficient, improved the quality of my output, and helped reduce the long hours we used to work during busy season. When I first joined the firm, I had to spend a lot of time on spell check and rewriting emails and memos into a more professional business tone. Now, AI can help me write in a more polished and professional way. In addition, there was a time when we had to complete many paper filings and manual calculation steps. With automation tools and AI development, I can now spend much less time doing repetitive work. Lastly, when conducting tax research, before AI became more mature, I had to read the regulations from scratch. Now, AI can help narrow my questions down to the specific regulation or section I need.
That said, I do not see AI replacing accountants. Every client question and fact pattern is unique, and it still takes people to think through the issues, develop creative solutions, and evaluate the risks and potential benefits. In my view, the skills we need to strengthen in this AI-driven world are critical thinking, strategy and planning, and communication, rather than only detail orientation and tie-out numbers as in the past! Accounting is a great starting point if you want to explore business careers. With an accounting background, you could pursue roles such as auditor, tax consultant, or advisor. Studying accounting can open the door to many different opportunities in business. Wishing you all the best!
That said, I do not see AI replacing accountants. Every client question and fact pattern is unique, and it still takes people to think through the issues, develop creative solutions, and evaluate the risks and potential benefits. In my view, the skills we need to strengthen in this AI-driven world are critical thinking, strategy and planning, and communication, rather than only detail orientation and tie-out numbers as in the past! Accounting is a great starting point if you want to explore business careers. With an accounting background, you could pursue roles such as auditor, tax consultant, or advisor. Studying accounting can open the door to many different opportunities in business. Wishing you all the best!
It's great that it won't replace accountants but will help them do their jobs more efficiently.
Connor
Kristen Jones
Auditor
10
Answers
Hernando, Mississippi
Updated
Kristen’s Answer
While emerging AI technology might make some people feel uncertain, it's important to remember that humans are irreplaceable. The human touch in accounting is crucial. AI can handle data and calculations, but it's humans who interpret and explain these numbers to others. As someone wisely said, "AI won't take your job, but someone who uses AI might." So, let's embrace AI and ensure we're using it wisely and effectively.
Steven Graham
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller, VP Finance
29
Answers
Boynton Beach, Florida
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Connor,
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.
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 you hit a paywall, please let me know and I'll copy and post the whole doc...
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.
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 you hit a paywall, please let me know and I'll copy and post the whole doc...
Thank you for your reply! I was able to read the first two articles but hit a paywall for the 3rd one. AI seems to already be in use for the Auditing side of things, and it will be utilized more and more as the AI keeps learning. I have never heard of agentic AI, but one of the big 4 firms, EY, just launched new agentic AI capabilities for their auditors. My uncle is a partner at the local EY where I live, so I might ask him about that.
Connor
Mckayla Baird
Accountant
1
Answer
Concord, New Hampshire
Updated
Mckayla’s Answer
Hi Conor,
While it's unlikely that AI will completely replace accountants (especially in the near future), anything is possible. The big thing I have been hearing (from attending accounting related webinars) is that AI will be replacing (and has replaced) the manual work done by accountants. As a result, accountants will need to transition from being "do-ers" to "reviewers"; reviewing the work that the AI has done.
This transition can be difficult, especially coming into the field while not having the "do-er" work under your belt. However, I mean to use the word difficult in a positive way; it's a challenge! I believe the strengths that will begin to help accountants (and prospective accountants) make this transition is:
1. Performing the work that AI will perform (even if this is after the AI has completed the work to check the result is the same between AI and manual). Going through the steps yourself will give a better understanding of the task, what to look for if something doesn't look right, and assist being the best "reviewer" that you can be. Go full circle, take the task further to the next step (how would this impact our Trial balance/financial statements?, etc.).
2. Critical thinking. This is something that will help in many areas of life, but especially as a "reviewer" role type. Accountants will almost have to be their own auditors in a way, asking the tough questions of the work and ensuring the result makes sense (or aligns with the story of what happened).
3. Becoming a user of AI. This might seem obvious, but having an in-depth understanding of how to use AI will help in the field (and could put you at the top of job applicants in the field).
Hopefully this helps.
While it's unlikely that AI will completely replace accountants (especially in the near future), anything is possible. The big thing I have been hearing (from attending accounting related webinars) is that AI will be replacing (and has replaced) the manual work done by accountants. As a result, accountants will need to transition from being "do-ers" to "reviewers"; reviewing the work that the AI has done.
This transition can be difficult, especially coming into the field while not having the "do-er" work under your belt. However, I mean to use the word difficult in a positive way; it's a challenge! I believe the strengths that will begin to help accountants (and prospective accountants) make this transition is:
1. Performing the work that AI will perform (even if this is after the AI has completed the work to check the result is the same between AI and manual). Going through the steps yourself will give a better understanding of the task, what to look for if something doesn't look right, and assist being the best "reviewer" that you can be. Go full circle, take the task further to the next step (how would this impact our Trial balance/financial statements?, etc.).
2. Critical thinking. This is something that will help in many areas of life, but especially as a "reviewer" role type. Accountants will almost have to be their own auditors in a way, asking the tough questions of the work and ensuring the result makes sense (or aligns with the story of what happened).
3. Becoming a user of AI. This might seem obvious, but having an in-depth understanding of how to use AI will help in the field (and could put you at the top of job applicants in the field).
Hopefully this helps.
Amanda Barrist, CPA
CPA
6
Answers
Cooper City, Florida
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
AI won't replace us, but we need to know how to use it to our benefit. In my job, we handle tax returns with lots of documents. We've been using AI tools for years to read and enter data. However, AI can't replace us when it comes to reviewing and analyzing the data. Tax laws change all the time, so we must stay updated to plan and adapt quickly. It will take AI some time to keep up and avoid using outdated information.
That's good to know that AI is a useful tool, but it won't replace the professionals. Thank you for your reply!
Connor
Cynthia Acosta
Senior Tax
3
Answers
Burlington, New Jersey
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
Hi Connor,
I don't think AI could ever replace us; rather, it is a tool we can use to speed up our work. Remember that AI isn't human and lacks our common sense, which leads it to make many errors that we can still fix.
I don't think AI could ever replace us; rather, it is a tool we can use to speed up our work. Remember that AI isn't human and lacks our common sense, which leads it to make many errors that we can still fix.
Yes AI seems to lack common sense for sure.
Connor