The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Accounting Profession
Subject Areas : Financial engineering
Maryam Bahmani
1
*
,
Javad Rashidipoor
2
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Management and Accounting, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Kashan, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Management and Accounting, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Kashan, Iran
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Accounting, Robotic Process Automation, Efficiency, Financial Technologies,
Abstract :
The primary objective of this study is to thoroughly and systematically examine the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the accounting profession—an industry that has recently undergone significant transformation due to the emergence of innovative technologies, process digitalization, and intelligent tools. Given the rapid pace of these changes, understanding the implications of AI implementation in financial and accounting operations has become both a scientific necessity and a professional priority. This research begins with a structured literature review to design an appropriate conceptual framework. To test the study hypotheses, a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was distributed among selected professionals working in finance and accounting, who had relevant experience with modern technologies.
The collected data were analyzed using the Student’s t-test. The results indicate that the adoption of AI technologies has a significantly positive and meaningful impact on the performance of the accounting profession. AI contributes to increased productivity, improved accuracy, faster task execution, reduced human errors, elimination of repetitive tasks, and enables accountants to allocate more time to analytical and strategic decision-making activities. Moreover, the findings suggest that the integration of AI shifts the role of accountants from performing traditional tasks to engaging in more value-added and analytical functions.
Based on these findings, it is concluded that the effective integration of AI technologies in accounting activities is not merely an optional advantage but a strategic necessity for survival and competitiveness in today’s complex market environment. Accordingly, it is recommended that financial institutions, managers, and accountants enhance their technological competencies, embrace digital transformation, and redesign their operational processes to align with technological developments. The future of the accounting profession will largely depend on how well it adapts to and integrates emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence
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