automation isn’t replacing accountants—it’s exposing who can’t evolve.
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accounting influencers
with rob brown
artificial intelligence isn’t a future disruptor—it’s already embedded in accounting. the profession’s survival depends on how quickly firms adapt.
“the robots are coming—scratch that—they’re already here,” says accounting influencers host rob brown. “ai literacy isn’t optional anymore. if you’re treating ai as tomorrow’s problem, you’re already behind the curve.”
the latest episode explores the seismic impact of automation on accounting and the urgent need for firms to transform their skills, strategies, and structures.
citing a mckinsey report, brown notes that nearly 80% of organizations already use ai in at least one core function. “it’s pervasive now,” he says. “reconciliation, data entry, transaction classification—ai eats those jobs for breakfast.”
a 2023 openai study even found that automation could impact nearly all tasks performed by accountants and auditors. yet, surprisingly, the accounting job market hasn’t collapsed. “two years into the generative ai journey, most jobs haven’t vanished,” brown observes. “the danger isn’t robots replacing humans—it’s humans who fail to leverage robots being replaced by those who do.”
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research from meta offers a lifeline. ai falters in “messy workflows”—jobs that demand emotional intelligence, adaptability, and complex problem-solving. “think about your day as an accountant,” brown says. “you’re managing client expectations, juggling deadlines, handling team dynamics. that’s chaos—and ai doesn’t do chaos well.”
that’s where accountants find their edge. by leaning into what can’t be automated—client relationships, leadership, and advisory services—they ensure their value remains irreplaceable.
the accounting industry has already seen massive workforce shifts. “between 2020 and now, over 300,000 u.s. accountants have left their roles,” brown notes. “some of that’s burnout, but some of it’s because firms are restructuring with private equity and technology at the helm.”
he points to recent layoffs—even among major firms like pwc, deloitte, ey, and kpmg—as proof that automation is driving rapid change. but brown makes one thing clear: “accountants aren’t losing jobs to ai. they’re losing them to other accountants who know how to use ai.”
five ways to stay ahead of the ai curve
here are five strategies to help accountants future-proof their careers:
- prioritize ai literacy – leaders must champion ai learning across all levels, from partners to interns.
- upskill in analytics and automation – mid-career professionals should understand ai tools and their applications in project management and data interpretation.
- add strategic value early – entry-level accountants should position themselves as ai-savvy advisors who think beyond compliance.
- embrace the unpredictable – success now depends on handling ambiguity, emotional nuance, and complex client needs.
- collaborate deeply – the more interconnected your workflow, the harder it is to automate.
“ai is redefining accountants,” brown says. “your future depends not on whether you’ll adapt—but how fast.”
4 key takeaways:
- ai has already automated many accounting tasks, but “messy” human work remains irreplaceable.
- firms that embed ai into decision-making—while maintaining human oversight—gain a competitive advantage.
- accountants who upskill in ai literacy and emotional intelligence will future-proof their careers.
- the real threat isn’t ai itself—it’s being outpaced by peers who know how to utilize it effectively.