Working with AI: boosting your career in the right way

Despite the near-constant talk about AI and its growing role in accounting and the workplace, there will always be demand for personal interactions within the industry. Here is how you can work in harmony with AI and use it to your advantage.

There is no denying that technological advances have revolutionised the accounting profession over recent years. As an accountant in 2025, many basic tasks can now be done in minutes rather than hours, a development that is helping to push productivity to new heights at forward-thinking firms.

But while the time-saving benefits of such programmes cannot be denied, their increasing adoption within the sector has prompted fears of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) taking over and rendering human accountants null and void in years to come.

Fortunately, even with automated and AI-powered systems becoming smarter and more powerful, there is no danger of tech replacing humans in accounting any time soon. One of the main reasons is that we can’t teach technology to respond with emotional intelligence (EQ) or a moral conscience.

Similarly, we can’t teach it to communicate with colleagues and clients in an empathetic way. Even the most sophisticated programmes are only as good as the data humans give them to work on.

So, what are the advantages of working in harmony with AI to help bolster productivity?

Reducing human error

One of the advantages of using technology in accounting is that it reduces the likelihood of human error skewing the calculations. But these systems are not failproof as AI cannot exist without human input, training and support.

They are, for example, unable to recognise when the data they are given is incomplete or inaccurate. They also need humans to check their findings and manage other risks, such as changing circumstances that affect the algorithms and make them unreliable.

When environments or circumstances change, humans need to tweak AI systems – for example, by modifying the underlying data or fine-tuning the processes AI is being asked to complete to meet current guidelines or fit a new business strategy. 

People and machines working together

AI and other accounting technologies can be a massive help when it comes to completing certain everyday tasks.

Areas of accounting in which today’s technology can handle processes almost single-handedly include:

• Procurement: AI makes it easy to track price changes among a wide range of suppliers, so you can be sure you’re always getting a good deal.
• Expense management: the right accounting software will check receipts and review expenses, making it much easier to keep spending in check.

There are also lots of accounting tasks that machines can help with, despite the ongoing requirement for a human touch.

Auditors, for example, can make use of machine learning to pinpoint exceptions that need further investigation on their part.

Ways to future-proof your career

While human intervention remains crucial to the effective use of technology in accounting, there is no doubt that the growing capabilities of these new programmes and systems are changing the way finance professionals work.

That means the skills you need to succeed in the accounting profession are changing, too. Future accountants will undoubtedly need to be tech-savvy, as well as technically proficient.

But although an understanding of data analytics, for example, will stand you in good stead when applying for accounting jobs, it is also worth concentrating on honing soft skills such as communicating and strategic thinking, as these are what differentiates men and women from machines.

Further reading

AI focus: how artificial intelligence can help accounting students thrive

How to partner with AI as an accountant

5 ways to develop your leadership skills from day one

AAT Comment offers news and opinion on the world of business and finance from the Association of Accounting Technicians.