AI is the hot topic for accountants right now. Is it a threat? Is it a fad? Can it actually help you run your business better?
And the big question, will AI replace accountants?
Some accountants are racing ahead, with AI now integral to the way they run their firm. But many are still wondering what on earth to do with it and whether it really can benefit them.
In a recent webinar, we got real about AI with three accountants – Kathryn, Andre, and Peter – who are already using it in their practices. This was an eye-opening look at how real accountants are embracing AI – and doing it without losing their human touch.
These are the biggest insights and the practical takeaways from that session. So whether you’re already dabbling or have yet to start, read on to see how AI could be your next step towards a smarter accountancy practice.
1. AI is already here – and you’re already using it
AI isn’t just something happening ‘out there’. It’s already in your life. Spellcheck, Netflix suggestions, bank alerts – they’re all AI. Even Google searches are AI-powered now, with less emphasis on links and more on AI-generated answers.
Why should this matter to an accountancy firm?
Search behaviours are changing, and that affects your firm’s visibility online. If you want new clients to find you, your SEO strategy needs to evolve with it.
And when it comes to how you run your firm, much of the software you use is AI-powered. Tools like proposal software, Zoom transcriptions or Xero’s data capture all have AI embedded – you just haven’t called it AI.
2. AI won’t replace accountants but it will replace the tasks you hate
AI isn’t taking over your role, but it can augment it.
Accountants are using AI to:
- Automate repetitive tasks
- Eliminate errors
- Free up time for more valuable work (like strategy, advice, and client relationships)
Kathryn shared a brilliant example. She used to spend three hours creating client proposals. Now, using Socket AI during Zoom calls, she builds and sends proposals in real-time with fantastic results:
- A slicker client experience
- A massive time saving
- Fewer errors
- Happier team
This is what AI is really about: making your life easier and giving you back control.
3. Start small then let AI create momentum
Kathryn also made the point that you don’t need to overhaul everything. Start small.
She began with one thing – improving proposals – and freed up some of her time. That time then got reinvested into the next thing, then the next. And so on.
Her practice now uses AI for:
- Practice management: Socket, Zoom AI, Zapier, Make, Glide
- Advisory support: ChatGPT to stress-test ideas, translate technical terms and draft marketing content
- Internal efficiency: Creating templates, manuals, training documents
- Client education: Using AI to quickly produce tailored guidance for clients
But she didn’t do it all at once.
Andre echoed this. He’s been automating for years, not even realising it. His recent breakthrough was a self-onboarding website that uses Zapier to handle payments, client setup and document collection before his team even speaks to the client.
The result? Time saved, improved cashflow and better service.
Peter went even further, using tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity to support:
- Carbon accounting reports
- Legal document review
- Strategy reports
- Difficult client communications
But he had a word of caution, echoed by all the others. Always humanise the output. Use AI to create a draft, then add your expertise to personalise it. That’s where the real value lies. And remember to fact check too – as the caveat on all AI platform says, it can make mistakes.
What’s Stopping You?
If you’re like many accounting firm owners, you probably relate to one or more of these:
- You’re the bottleneck in your practice
- Your team makes mistakes you have to fix
- You’re firefighting constantly
- You want to deliver more valuable work but don’t have the time
- You’re worried clients will only talk to you, not the team
- You feel stuck, underpaid, and overworked
AI won’t solve everything overnight. But it can:
- Help your team step up
- Cut down on interruptions
- Standardise and improve your workflows
- Reduce pricing pressure
- Give you more time for the things that matter
You just have to take that first step.
This webinar made one thing clear – AI is here, and it’s not going anywhere. Kathryn, Andre, and Peter are proof that you don’t have to be techy, trendy or perfect to make this work. You just have to start.
But will AI replace accountants? It’s not the enemy. Done right, it’s your ticket to a better-run firm, a stronger team, and a business that finally works for you.
Watch the Full Webinar
This session was packed with tips, insights and real-world examples. If you want to hear directly from Kathryn, Andre and Peter, the full recording is now available in the Accountants’ KnowHow Club. You’ll also find a full list of all the AI tools these accountants are using.
Find out more and subscribe here.