Will technology replace accountants? (Survey) [Answered]

Bureau of Labor predicts that from 2020 to 2030, technological advancements will result in a 7% expansion in the number of accountants and auditors. The intricacy of accounting professions and the fact that some tasks cannot be performed by AI, machine learning, or cloud computing. Accounting professionals may find it frightening. For many accounting professions, Will technology replace accountants might be a terrifying concept.

We all know that computers have drastically altered accounting. Many tasks previously completed by hand, such as diary entries, can now be produced by computer programs. Consider that you can quickly complete several time-consuming, repetitive chores for your company using QuickBooks. Sincerely, businesses have benefited greatly from automation thus far.

Programs for accounting and bookkeeping can save you a ton of time and eliminate human error. Who wouldn’t want to eliminate errors that can end up costing them a lot of money?

Will technology replace accountants?

The query is that. According to several assessments, accounting is one of the professions most at risk of being automated. However, the study refers to “Accounting Clerks/Bookkeepers.” The software of many of the top providers of accounting software, like Xero and Intuit, has AI technology that can perform routine accounting chores like bank reconciliations, risk analysis, audit procedures, etc.

So, yes, there is a chance that automation will replace monotonous work like data input. This study, however, ignores the fact that accountants spend considerable time on data entry and other monotonous duties to prepare themselves for the actual work.

Automation would thus free up more time to concentrate on accounting-related tasks besides basic data entry. It makes sense that accountants are concerned about how automation and AI technologies could impact their billable hours.

Technology Will Support, Not Replace, Accountants:

Industry executives sounded the death knell for accountants as early as 2015, confident that developing technologies, especially automation, would lead to the death of digital accountancy as we know it.

In a Robert Half survey conducted in 2019 on the effects of automation on their industry, accountants expressed worries about being replaced, having fewer opportunities for creative problem-solving, and excessive reliance on technology to carry out daily tasks.

However, the Covid-19 outbreak and other recent occurrences have demonstrated that accountants like other professionals; need to be much more concerned about adaptation than replacement. There is no denying that the playing field has undergone a significant alteration due to the digital revolution.

Big data has developed into a valuable resource that must be utilized to compete successfully. But for companies willing to use digital technologies, this change represents an opportunity rather than a danger.

What would happen with accountants in the near future?

Technology has advanced far more quickly in recent years—so quickly that it has virtually taken on a life of its own. Technology has been continuously advancing in every industry, including our own accounting profession. Because of how the world is developing, accounting has undergone numerous changes over its history.

Even for bookkeeping, moving from pen and paper to digital spreadsheets demonstrates how technological advancement in the modern era has resulted in the digitization of the complete accounting process.

With the impact of this digitization and automation, it is now essential to “get a hold” of these developing technologies. For accountants, this will be essential to their professional success. Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are two of these technologies that have the potential to change the accounting industry as we know it.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology refers to intelligent computers carrying out boring, repetitive activities more accurately and faster than people. It can use data it gathers on its own to perform better. You may have heard of artificial intelligence (AI) recently. Still, it has been around for so long that it is already equipped to handle various accounting tasks, including tax preparation, payroll processing, and auditing.

Additionally, today’s accounting software uses AI to automate processes like data entry and account payables. Whether accountants are still necessary in the modern world remains after all the key accounting-related tasks have been completed with AI’s assistance. The answer is unquestionable YES.

The human component—human intelligence—at the other end of AI technology will always be required. Gartner’s top research group claims that AI will generate more jobs than it will eliminate, giving workers—including accountants—options. The accountants must become accustomed to new working practices and cheerfully accept AI. Human intelligence cannot be diminished in any way since the world of accounting and finance is not just about numbers and algorithms; we also need someone to examine and interpret AI data.

The blockchain has gained popularity as a method of record keeping during the previous few years. Although originally designed for cryptocurrency transactions, immutable records have certain advantages. Thanks to features like timestamps and audit trails, it is becoming a realistic and efficient solution to reflect openness in company operations, particularly in record keeping. Blockchain technology may have intriguing ramifications for auditors in the accounting industry.

Auditors may not have to devote as much time to verifications, confirmations, and analyses of particular accounts because of the automated, real-time verification and improved security offered by blockchain technology.

Blockchain technology can significantly speed up and reduce the cost of audits. With the development of new blockchain-based methodologies and procedures, accounting auditors’ roles and skill sets may alter. A proverb in English goes “Embrace change, don’t fight it.” Change is the only thing that is constant in the world.

Instead of being concerned about these technological advancements, we should welcome them as an effective way to improve customer services, where an accountant can put all of their education and expertise to work. Adapting to these changes may be challenging, but as we all know, the rewards much outweigh the work spent looking for the best new software.

Adopting them will transform how your personality was created. You’ll be in the lead if you keep up with trends, continue adapting, and increase your understanding of these topics.

Final Words:

Some people say technology will replace accountants; AI technology can be defined as intelligent machines performing routine, repetitive jobs more quickly and accurately than humans. Machine learning has enabled AI systems to continuously improve their performance and accuracy by seeing, analyzing, and self-learning data and processes.

Many accounting tasks, including tax preparation, payroll processing, and auditing, are currently capable of being handled by AI technology. AI technology has been incorporated into many top accounting software providers, including Xero, Intuit, and Sage, to handle routine accounting tasks like bank reconciliations, invoice categorization, risk assessment, and audit processes like expense submissions and invoice payments.

Numerous of these commonplace jobs take a long time to complete. Therefore many accountants nationwide are concerned about how the emergence of AI technology may affect their billable hours. The worst worry is that corporations won’t even need to work with accountants thanks to AI technologies.

Sources:

• Robert Half survey conducted in 2019

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