In a recent poll that i carried out, 86% of accountants said they don’t currently use AI tools or chatbots in their practice. In stark contrast, 98% of next-generation professionals entering the field say they already use or plan to use AI daily.
This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a signal. The profession is standing at a crossroads. On one side are firms relying on traditional methods, on the other are those embracing intelligent automation, real-time insights, and new efficiencies. The difference between the two is rapidly becoming the difference between staying relevant and being left behind.
For Accountants: It’s Time to Rethink the Toolkit
Accountancy has always been a profession built on trust, precision, and expertise. But the tools we use to deliver those values are evolving faster than ever.
AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about amplification. Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and industry-specific AI platforms can help accountants:
- Draft client emails and proposals in seconds
- Summarise complex tax updates into plain English
- Generate management reports and insights instantly
- Automate routine data entry, freeing time for advisory work
The truth? The next generation of accountants entering the profession isn’t just learning Excel and tax law, they’re actually learning how to prompt AI to produce deeper insights faster, from the lectures I have presented.
If 86% of today’s practitioners aren’t leveraging these tools, they’re missing an opportunity to future-proof their firms, streamline workflows, and offer more value-driven advice to clients.
For Business Owners: The AI-Ready Accountant Will Be Your Competitive Edge
If you’re a business owner, this shift matters to you too. The way your accountant operates can directly affect how quickly and clearly you make decisions.
An AI-enabled accountant can:
- Provide faster, more visual financial insights
- Predict cash flow trends before they become problems
- Help you make smarter, data-backed business moves
- Spend more time advising, less time reconciling
In short, the accountants who embrace AI will help you move faster, while others are still buried in spreadsheets.
Bridging the Gap: Human Expertise + AI Capability
AI doesn’t replace accountants. It augments them.
The best results come from combining professional judgement with intelligent tools. AI can handle data and repetition; the accountant interprets, advises, and builds relationships.
The firms that thrive over the next decade will be those that merge human experience with digital efficiency. They’ll communicate better, deliver faster, and offer insights that go far beyond compliance.
The Future Is Already Here
This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about maintaining relevance in a changing market.
The firms that start small, experimenting with AI summaries, automated reporting, or chatbot-based support, will find themselves learning faster and attracting a new generation of clients and employees alike.
So whether you’re an accountant wondering where to begin, or a business owner choosing your next advisor, ask this simple question:
👉 Are we using the tools of yesterday or the tools of tomorrow?
Because the next generation already knows the answer!
Ben Brophy, Chartered Accountant & Founder of BAA Group
Helping UK businesses and accountants thrive in the era of digital finance.
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