Episode 12: AI Transformation

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, and it’s already reshaping the way accountants work. In the latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update podcast, we explore findings from groundbreaking new research by Chartered Accountants Worldwide and Ipsos UK: AI and the Future of the Global Chartered Accountancy Profession. We also share key insights from CAW Network USA’s recent webinar, Beyond Accounting – AI & Accountants 2025.
Accountants Are Ready for AI—But Skills Are the Barrier.

The research surveyed over 2,700 Chartered Accountants across 13 institutes worldwide, and the results are striking:
• 85% of respondents are willing to use AI tools.
• Yet 52% say insufficient skills and training remain the biggest barrier to adoption.

The appetite is there, but the tools and training are lagging behind.

How AI Is Being Used Today
Current use of AI is largely driven by individuals rather than firms. Most accountants experimenting with AI turn to publicly available tools like ChatGPT, applying them to basic tasks such as:
• General productivity
• Data entry
• Simple reconciliations
The more advanced applications—like automating technical processes or supporting complex audits—are still at an early stage.

One survey participant summed it up: “AI can automate many audit tasks like data collection and execution, but critical thinking, judgments, and complex problem-solving—that’s where humans are leveraged.”

Augmenting, Not Replacing, the Profession
So, will AI replace accountants? The answer is reassuring.
• 83% believe firms not integrating AI will struggle to compete.
• 87% say that within five years, accountants will spend more time on strategic advice than data processing.
• 79% highlight a growing role for accountants as data guardians—ensuring robust governance as businesses adopt AI.

Far from replacing professionals, AI is seen as an enabler, shifting accountants toward higher-value, more strategic roles.
Challenges Ahead: Data Security and Training
The main hurdles to AI adoption are clear:
• Data security tops the list, with 30% citing it as their biggest concern.
• Executives are particularly cautious, with 34% saying stronger reassurances around data security would increase usage.

Organizations are responding in different ways—some adopting trusted platforms like Microsoft Copilot, others building internal governance structures, and some avoiding AI altogether due to regulatory concerns.
When it comes to training, the message is equally clear. Accountants expect professional bodies, not employers, to lead the way. Over 65% want institutes to provide AI training, rising to 69% among smaller firms. Practical, hands-on courses integrated into CPD requirements are the top request.

Three Key Recommendations for the Profession
The report highlights three urgent priorities for Chartered Accountants Worldwide and its member institutes:
1. Promote a positive vision of AI—showing how it can enhance client relationships, strategy, and advisory roles, while addressing ethics and security concerns.
2. Collaborate on training—designing targeted programs, especially for small and medium firms.
3. Develop an AI competency framework—outlining the skills accountants need at different career stages.

Building the Future Together
AI is not a threat to accountancy—it’s an opportunity. By embracing automation, accountants can focus on what machines cannot do: ethical judgment, critical thinking, and trusted advisory work.

Encouragingly, 56% of survey respondents believe AI integration makes accountancy a more attractive career path. The profession is on the brink of evolution, and with the right skills and safeguards, Chartered Accountants can lead the way.

Find out more about this landmark report from Chartered Accountants Worldwide and Ipsos UK at https://charteredaccountantsworldwide....

Watch the CAW Network USA webinar, “Beyond Accounting – AI & Accountants 2025” at https://charteredaccountantsworldwide....