Expanding to new horizons: The accounting industry's chance for growth

Future of Professionals Report

What is generative AI? 

AI is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. The goal of AI is to create systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. 

Generative AI (GenAI) refers to a specific type of artificial intelligence system capable of generating new content or data that is similar to, but not an exact copy of, existing data. People often use this type of AI in creative tasks, such as generating images, music, text, or other forms of content. 

It’s important to remember that AI is not a single technology. It is multiple technologies applied in different functions through various applications, including generative AI, machine learning, natural-language processing, and robotics. Machine learning, in particular, involves training algorithms on large data sets to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed.

How can the tax and accounting industry use generative AI? 

Data entry automation. Generative AI systems can automate data entry tasks by extracting information from various documents, such as invoices and receipts. This capability can reduce the manual effort required for data input while minimizing errors. 

Document generation and summarization. GenAI models have the potential to automatically generate financial reports, invoices, or other accounting documents. They could also assist in summarizing lengthy financial statements or reports for quick insights. 

Fraud detection. AI, including generative models, can be used to identify patterns and anomalies in financial data that may indicate fraudulent activities. By analyzing large datasets, AI systems can help auditors and accountants detect irregularities. 

Forecasting and predictive analytics. Generative AI models can be applied for predictive analysis by analyzing historical financial data. This can help accountants forecast future trends and make more informed decisions. 

Natural-language processing (NLP) for client communication. NLP, a subset of AI, can be integrated into communication tools to enhance interactions with clients, create automated responses to common queries, or even assist in drafting emails and reports. 

Tax research and compliance. Generative AI can assist in keeping track of evolving regulatory requirements and ensuring that financial practices comply with the latest standards, which helps reduce the risk of non-compliance.

 7 considerations for implementing AI in the tax and accounting space 

As we move toward an AI-enabled future, here are seven critical lessons for tax and accounting professionals to make the most of this transformative technology. 

1. AI is not one thing

There’s no big bang or single “killer” app in tax and accounting AI. As the examples above show, GenAI has applications in many corners of the industry, and each application might use a different AI-related technology. It’s important to understand which tool is right for your problem, and the best first step is to define what those problems are rather than chasing after the next big thing promoted by vendors or competitors. 

Tax and accounting firms execute numerous business processes such as billing, pricing, and marketing, and most of those processes involve numbers and data, such as prices, margins, and expenses — all of which can be analyzed and managed with the help of AI technologies. Likely, most of the gains that tax and accounting firms and in-house accounting departments will see from AI in the near term will come from optimizing these operational functions.

2. Data first, AI software second

Every organization — whether it’s a tax and accounting firm, government agency, or corporation — generates data. However, many do not know where that data is or what shape it’s in. 

Many AI applications begin simply with the process of getting data sets in order, whether it’s electronic billing data or client data. To effectively utilize AI — or any software, for that matter — start with the problem you are trying to solve, then identify the relevant data sets where the answers might be. This might require some “data hygiene” to clean up existing data, and you may need new processes to ensure that future data-generation activities yield clean and reliable data. 

Understanding your data is the first and most crucial step in successfully utilizing AI. From there, you can determine whether AI can play a role in solving data issues.

3. Put AI to work for you 

Much of the hype surrounding artificial intelligence focuses on the extent to which it will take over our jobs. Instead of wasting time on that thought, put the AI to work for you. Use it to reduce your time spent on mundane, repetitive tasks like data entry. AI algorithms can swiftly analyze extensive datasets and detect patterns, anomalies, and potential risks at an unprecedented speed, allowing you to shift your attention to more complex and strategic work, like interpreting results and offering experience-based insights to clients. 

In addition, AI opens the door to predictive analytics, enabling tax professionals to anticipate risks and trends based on historical data. This proactive approach enhances the process of risk identification and decision making, providing you with a more comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. 

From a regulatory standpoint, AI has the capability to continuously learn from your tax workflow and adapt to changing industry regulations. This adaptability makes AI and machine-learning tools progressively sophisticated over time, a powerful ability for a constantly evolving profession. 

In short, it’s not a question of whether the AI is more accurate than humans but whether humans assisted by it are more accurate than humans alone. 

4. Develop your AI “muscle”

Successfully adopting a technology requires changes to routines and workflows — this can be disruptive and is likely to be met with some resistance. 

Remember: AI is not a turnkey technology that you can simply install. Humans are required to instruct the technology, and human processes will need to be adjusted to incorporate it into the daily workflow. The capacity for change management doesn’t just happen; it is a “muscle” that organizations must develop.

Aside from changes to established workflows, the implementation of advanced technology will also likely entail working with new types of professionals: data analysts, process engineers, pricing specialists, and other allied professionals. The ability of organizations to integrate those new professional roles into tax and accounting practices — and to recognize and compensate them properly — can result in a competitive advantage. 

5. Follow your client's lead 

By transforming processes, AI can nurture greater collaboration between clients and accounting firms. Client needs will drive the adoption of many AI applications. Often, clients possess the data needed to effectively build out good AI solutions and will certainly have ideas about optimal outcomes. 

AI technologies produce the best results when not developed in a vacuum. It’s a chance for tax professionals, their clients, and the organizations they work for to integrate operations for mutual benefit. Like any technology, the greatest benefits are realized when AI addresses client needs and unleashes human expertise. 

6. Partner with a trusted AI technology provider 

Although many tax professionals recognize and welcome the arrival of generative AI, many are also skeptical of the technology at its current stage of development and do not believe it is dependable enough to answer anything but the most basic tax-related questions. 

Consequently, most firms and departments are cautious about embracing the technology too soon — before it has matured and can be rigorously tested on more complex tax matters. Data privacy and security are also enormous risk concerns, not surprisingly, since tax professionals deal with extremely sensitive personal information that cannot — and should not — be publicly shared. 

That’s why it is so important to find an experienced technology provider like Thomson Reuters that can leverage decades of rich domain expertise in public tax data that drives many AI applications and is committed to safety, security, and privacy in the design, development, and deployment of AI products and services. 

7. Build trust 

Implementing new AI-based tech solutions involves two layers of trust. The initial layer revolves around organizations being confident that their technology stack adheres to industry standards. This confidence ensures the second layer of trust: that clients and system users can trust the new work processes. This second layer involves the assurance that comes from sharing user experiences with the wider world. 

The development of AI systems and machine-learning technologies is ongoing, showing little evidence of slowing down in the foreseeable future. These dynamic times present exciting opportunities for businesses across various sectors. 

Most importantly, however, trust forms the core foundation for the success of these emerging workflows. At Thomson Reuters, we've consciously designed AI-enabled products with this fundamental principle in mind, earning us the trust of tax and accounting firms worldwide.

AI in action: Checkpoint Edge 

Checkpoint Edge boasts a fluid and intuitive user experience that offers unmatched editorial expertise and the latest in AI, cognitive computing, and machine-learning technologies. By aggregating patterns in search habits, this game-changing tax research platform can more accurately predict the exact information you look for over time, enabling you to find the right answers faster.

As more and more users research specific topics on Checkpoint Edge, the program can see which information users are referencing the most to find answers and then put that page higher up in the search query for other users to benefit from in the future.

Checkpoint Edge can also provide specific answers to common, well-defined types of questions — about tax reform, for instance. Plus, it supports those answers with links to authoritative tax law explanations and sources.

If you’re ready to use AI to your advantage, learn more about Checkpoint Edge today.

Want to learn more about how to elevate your firm with AI? Check out our webcast, “How to utilize generative AI to excel your tax and accounting services.” Get practical insights on implementation and discover the answers to all your questions about generative AI.