A reality check
This new research reveals a striking reversal: clients, not firms, are driving AI adoption in accounting.
64% of businesses now consult ChatGPT before their accountant, and many are already arriving with AI-generated forecasts, tax calculations, or financial advice in hand. This is no longer theory, it’s happening in practice, and firms are being asked to keep up.
The opportunity
AI is powerful, but it’s not always right. Over half of firms report having to correct misleading or incomplete outputs their clients brought from AI tools. Left unchecked, this creates risk – poor decisions, compliance failures, and broken trust. But with professional oversight, the opportunity is just as clear - to deepen relationships, expand services, and help clients harness AI responsibly.
A profession redefined
The value of accountants has never been in raw information, and in the post-knowledge economy that’s truer than ever. What matters now is applying context, judgement, and foresight to guide clients through complexity. AI will automate routine tasks, but it will also elevate the role of the advisor, opening the door to more proactive, strategic, and trusted client relationships.
