The State of AI in Accounting Report 2025
How do accounting professionals feel about the impact of AI? How are they using AI at their firms? Find out in the most comprehensive global study on AI usage, perceptions, and attitudes within the accounting community.
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AI has well and truly entered the scene, with most accounting professionals embracing it. In fact 85% are excited or at least intrigued by AI’s potential.
But despite this optimism, only 19% believe their peers share this excitement. This suggests that people are thinking about AI, but aren’t necessarily talking about it enough within their firms.
This is where firm leaders (owners, partners, and directors) have immense influence. Because they’re more optimistic about AI compared to others within a firm, their role is to empower and enlighten their teams.
One of the key levers in ensuring teams are enthusiastic about using AI is education and training. But only 37% of firms are actively investing in AI training for their employees.
We have to adapt and learn to leverage AI or we will be out of business. AI presents an opportunity to improve efficiency and quality of service, and opens doors to other types of service.
What you’ll learn in The State of AI in Accounting Report 2025
The 2025 State of AI in Accounting Report is the most comprehensive global study on AI usage, perceptions, and attitudes specific to the accounting community.
It follows on from the 2024 edition, explaining how accounting professionals feel about AI compared to last year, and exactly how they are using AI at their firms today.
How much time are accountants saving with AI?
Advanced AI users save 71% more time than beginners (79 minutes vs. 49 minutes).
When a firm invests in AI training, employees save 18% more time than those that don’t—it’s a difference of 40 hours annually, per employee.
Compared to firms not investing in AI, firms that do are unlocking seven weeks per employee per year in capacity.
How is AI used in accounting?
Accounting professionals are leveraging AI in three key areas:
🥇 #1 Communication: 64% (+4% YoY) of accountants are using AI to compose emails and fine tune their writing tone.
🥈 #2 Task automation: 41% (+4% YoY) of accountants are using AI to automate their workflows, freeing up valuable time and redirecting their focus on value-adding tasks.
🥉 #3 Research: 40% (+12% YoY) of accountants are using AI to transcribe meetings, and automatically generate action items and meeting summaries for clients and colleagues.
Why are accounting professionals excited about AI?
Accounting professionals are recognizing that AI is core to modern business strategy:
56% (+2% YoY) believe that the value of a firm drops if it doesn’t use AI.
76% believe that graduates are more likely to join accounting firms that actively use AI and other advanced technologies.
Increased speed and efficiency (85%), error reduction (68%), and task automation (65%) are the top three AI benefits that accounting professionals are most excited about.
What are accounting professionals concerned about in relation to AI?
Overall, accounting professionals are optimistic about AI in accounting. However, there are some reservations in certain roles within a firm.
20% (+2% YoY) of those in operations, technology, and administration roles are concerned about the impact of AI on the future of their roles.
70% (-6% YoY) of accounting professionals are concerned about data security when evaluating AI tools.
47% (-8% YoY) are concerned that AI may result in a decrease in human touch and relationships.
27% are concerned that the gap between AI-positive and ‘traditional’ firms will continue to widen.
Learn more about the state of AI in accounting: Download the report.