AI is changing the accounting profession by speeding up processes and improving their accuracy. Companies today automate processes with the help of AI, which lessens
mistakes and enhances productivity. With AI tools, as an accountant, you can process massive amounts of financial data in mere seconds. This enables accountants to devise
plans instead of dealing with monotonous manual functions. Here are 20 AI statistics in accounting that can help you to understand the recent landscape.
A large number of accountants rely on AI tools to make daily tasks easier. Over half of accountants use AI for composing emails.
The AI market in accounting is rapidly expanding. By 2025, the market is projected to be valued at USD 6.68 billion. It is expected to grow significantly, reaching USD 37.60 billion by 2030.
A recent survey by Thomson Reuters revealed that a majority of tax and accounting firms believe that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, could play a key role in improving tax-related tasks.
Most accountants (85%) believe that direct interaction with clients is still crucial, even with the arrival of AI-powered applications.
Most tax professionals (75%) believe generative AI can serve a purpose in tax, accounting, and auditing functions, but only 50% agree that it should be used that way. Right now, only 15% of firms are AI users or planners, while 73% are non-adopters.
AI adoption in accounting is on the rise. This figure is expected to double, reaching 52% in the next five years as more businesses recognize the benefits of AI.
Financial services organizations are leading the way in AI adoption. About 41% of these companies are expected to fully integrate AI over the next several years, reaching
long-term maturity in AI use by incorporating it into their operations for over seven years.
AI is currently helping U.S. accountants automate repetitive tasks to increase efficiency. The adoption rate currently sits at 16%, which indicates that the integration of AI into accounting is still at the early stages.
It is clear that a large portion (33%) of fintech companies is developing proprietary AI solutions. This suggests that the fintech industry is significantly investing in AI technology to develop tailored approaches which, in turn, may support the accounting industry.
The application of AI among accountants differs from individual to individual. The survey indicated that 44% of accountants stated AI was mandatory, while AI was optional according to 40% of respondents who stated it was a prerequisite of company policy and personal preference. Alongside this, 14% of respondents said their decision to
incorporate AI technology into their work was voluntary.
The QuickBooks survey highlights the importance of staying up to date with technological advancements in accounting. A vast majority of accountants (98%) have already used AI to assist clients, and most believe that technology can help mitigate the effects of inflation and other economic pressures.
The adoption of generative AI tools is still in its early stages. While 30% of tax and accounting firms are considering using these tools, almost half (49%) have no plans to implement them shortly.
AI is seen as a transformative force in accounting. According to a Karbon
Magazine report, 71% of respondents believe AI will have a major impact on their operations, reshaping how accounting tasks are performed in the future.
Despite enthusiasm for AI’s promise among accountants (82%), only a quarter (25%) are training for AI. There is enthusiasm towards AI in general but very little toward integration into work.
AI has the potential to reduce costs in the finance sector by approximately 16%. Furthermore, most accounting professionals (88%) believe that AI will improve their work experience in the next three years.
AI is improving efficiency among accounting firms. According to Sage, 22% of accounting firms said AI has helped improve business operations by automating tasks. Additionally, half of the accountants intend to implement automation solutions due to increasing client demands.
The majority of accountants (71%) believe AI will significantly change the accounting industry. This shift is expected to revolutionize accounting practices, offering new
opportunities and ways of working.
AI adoption in accounting is projected to grow rapidly. A Mordor Intelligence report estimates a 30% annual growth rate in AI adoption in the accounting
sector from 2023 to 2028, highlighting the accelerating pace of change.
As AI adoption gets fully integrated into businesses, AI utilization in accounting is projected to increase significantly. A Mordor Intelligence report claims that AI integration in accounting will grow at 30% per annum between the years 2023 and 2028.
AI is viewed favorably by many accountants. Around 69% of accountants believe AI has a positive impact on the profession, enhancing efficiency and productivity while providing new growth opportunities.
Bookkeeping is a tedious job that includes data entry as well as maintaining accounts, which is very time-consuming. AI performs data entry into databases and also
categorizes expenses accurately and auto categorizes items accordingly.
Example: Receipt capturing, which is done by software such as QuickBooks and Xero, automatically captures the particulars from receipts and enters them into the system.
Auditing ensures the correctness and compliance of financial records with the governing statutes. Checking compliance with regulations is a lengthy process that uses a lot of time. AI can analyze enormous data sets for computation rapidly and without bias to detect fraud and inaccuracies.
Example: AI can sift through thousands of invoices to detect duplicate payments for certain services or irregular transactions done over a period. AI ensures that mistakes petrify them into oversized errors are prevented.
Like any other accounting task, tax estimation also necessitates financial data collection and analysis. AI assists in calculating taxes payable, possible deductions, and relevant
compliance measures (laws and regulations).
Example: AI tax software, e.g., TurboTax, scrutinizes record books to ensure financial documents are recorded accurately and complete tax returns.
This area involves the computation of salaries, tax, and other related compensations for the employees in an organization. AI does ensure that accuracy is maintained in work that involves calculations by automating these tasks.
Example: AI automates time keeping to pay generation; time charged by employees is monitored, and salaries are paid by prescribed terms.
AI assists businesses in predicting their future income by reviewing past financial data. AI is able to find some patterns and trends which a human might miss.
Example: Studying past sales helps AI to make forecasts for the next quarter. Companies are able to plan budgets and invest well on the basis of AI analyses.
Going through expenses manually comes with a high risk of errors and overspending. AI keeps monitoring expenses and gives valuable information regarding spending patterns which would otherwise be missed in manual tracking.
Example: AI gives warnings to managers whenever a department is about to exceed its budget. Managers are able to take action before the spending gets too high.
Businesses are required to abide by the rules and laws of finance for legal reasons. AI
enables companies to remain compliant by going through reports and spotting risks and reporting on them.
Example: An AI scans the financial statements of the company to check whether the statements have been prepared according to the tax laws and other rules to avoid unnecessary penalties.
AI is capable of automating a range of tedious accounting activities such as data entry, invoice processing, and reconciliation, all of which AI can perform faster. This enables accountants to spend their time formulating business strategies instead. On top of that,
automation reduces errors due to human oversight, which leads to accurate record-keeping.
Accounting tasks that are done manually will almost always have human errors. This can lead to problems in financial records. AI systems can conduct incisive multi-step
analysis within enormous data sets, dramatically reducing risk. They also often mitigate mistakes by flagging suspicious data or inconsistencies, which enhances financial precision.
A remarkable advantage that comes alongside AI accounting software is that they are able to analyze and process financial data as they receive it. This ensures that when
business owners or finance teams need to access insights on the business’s financial state, they’re able to receive real-time information, enabling timely decision-making.
AI can trace unusual spending patterns, fraudulent activities, and financial crimes. By doing historical data analysis, AI can help businesses mitigate risks and enhance
compliance by flagging suspicious transaction patterns.
Accounting AI cuts down the amount of manual labor required, resulting in significant cost benefits. Businesses are able to allocate fewer resources towards their finances
while still achieving optimal results. In addition, AI tools can analyze spending behavior and identify areas where money can be saved.
Accounting software that integrates AI is capable of keeping a business compliant with the ever-changing tax legislation by automating tax calculations, filing deadlines, and tracking changes in policies in real time. This aids in preventing costly fees while keeping businesses compliant within the growing change of law.
AI has the ability to evaluate business financial activities and create credible projections for the future, aiding in strategic business decisions and financial planning. Predicting cash flows, growth rate in revenue, and business expenditures assists in planning and making financial strategies.
Today’s AI-driven accounting systems can readily integrate with other business
applications like ERP systems, payroll applications, and even CRM software. This allows for better data flow and increases productivity.
AI-driven accounting tools are extremely adaptable, making them ideal for
organizations of any scale. Be it a small startup or a large corporation, AI will meet their evolving financial requirements with little manual effort.
AI is reshaping the accounting landscape by enhancing efficiency, reducing errors, and providing valuable financial insights. As AI technology continues to evolve, businesses that integrate AI into their accounting processes will gain a competitive advantage.