Just as cloud accounting revolutionized the industry, AI is poised to be the next game-changer that will redefine the benchmarks for productivity and success in accounting. In a recent episode of The Accounting Podcast, David Leary and I explored the transformative potential of AI and its impact on the accounting industry.
The Cloud Accounting Revolution
To understand the potential impact of AI, it’s essential to look back at how cloud accounting transformed the industry. Cloud accounting reduced the time for traditional accounting and bookkeeping work by 80-90%. It forced firms like mine to adapt their business models and pricing strategies to remain competitive.
As I mentioned in the podcast, “My career was in outsourced accounting. Cloud-based accounting cuts the time required to do traditional accounting and bookkeeping work by 80 to 90%. I couldn’t bill by the hour. If I did, I would not have a business.”
AI: The Next Frontier of Productivity
AI advancements in banking and accounting already show remarkable potential to boost productivity. JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America’s AI-powered cash flow forecasting tools have cut human manual work by 90%. David Leary highlighted this incredible statistic: “About 2,500 corporate enterprise clients are now using this tool, and they’ve cut human manual work. So you want to care to guess how much they’ve cut it by? 90%.”
The implications for accounting firms are profound. AI could lead to the end of billable hours and timesheets due to significant productivity gains. As I shared in the podcast, “We are using AI to do the base layer of work, and we are going to then have experts who review that. We’re going to turbocharge our staff.”
These advancements demonstrate how AI can dramatically increase productivity, setting new industry efficiency benchmarks as cloud accounting did.
Embracing AI: The Key to Success
Despite the potential of AI, the accounting industry appears hesitant to embrace this technology fully. Despite high awareness, an Accounting Today survey revealed that only 19% of accountants have used AI tools like ChatGPT for work and personal reasons. This hesitancy could put firms at a competitive disadvantage.
And even if they overcome their hesitancy, overwork impedes AI adoption in traditional firms. As I mentioned in the podcast, “The firms that are overloading their people, they’re not going to be able to innovate in this way because it takes a lot of time.”
The Future of Accounting in the AI Era
AI, like cloud accounting before it, is set to revolutionize the accounting industry by redefining benchmarks for productivity and success. However, the industry’s hesitancy to embrace AI could hinder firms from realizing its full potential. Accounting firms that proactively invest in AI automation and adapt their business models will be better positioned to succeed in the AI era. At the same time, those who resist change may struggle to keep up.
The future of accounting is here, and AI powers it. Are you ready? To learn more about how AI is transforming the accounting industry and what your firm can do to stay ahead, listen to the full episode of The Accounting Podcast. Don’t miss out on this insightful and thought-provoking discussion!
