Why AI Won't Steal Your Accounting Job

Why AI Won’t Steal Your Accounting Job, But It Will Change It

AI is making waves across finance and accounting, with over 75% of Australian financial firms already using or integrating automation into operations. As adoption grows, so does the speculation, will AI replace human workers?

The answer is more nuanced. While automation is speeding up processes and enhancing accuracy, it isn’t wiping out roles. Rather, it’s transforming them.

Automation: Evolution, Not Extinction

AI has reached the point where it can generate financial reports, flag anomalies, and even draft basic client communications. But, as history shows, the introduction of new technology often expands job scopes rather than eliminating them.

This echoes recent findings from the UK, where graduate job openings have dropped to their lowest level in seven years. According to our people2people Market Report 2025, AI is a key contributor, but not for the reasons you might think. It's less about eliminating jobs, and more about reshaping entry-level expectations.

What Recruiters Are Seeing on the Ground

“Entry-level hiring is absolutely shifting,” says Liz Jones, a recruiter specialising in UK finance roles. “Firms want new grads who can do more than process data. They want relationship builders, critical thinkers and candidates with the emotional intelligence AI lacks.”

This aligns with UK trends from the latest people2people market data: hiring remains steady for strategic and advisory roles, while junior roles are becoming more project-based or part-time.

Personalisation at Scale

Another area where AI shines is communication. Instead of sending the same generic tax update to hundreds of clients, firms can now generate personalised messages based on client behaviour and context.

“Hyper-personalisation is a game-changer,” Liz adds. “It means client managers can spend more time advising and less time drafting emails. It’s a win-win—and it’s here now.”

The Cloud Divide

The biggest barrier to AI adoption in accounting isn’t fear, it’s outdated systems. Cloud-based platforms are the backbone of AI integration, and firms that haven’t modernised their tech stacks are falling behind.

“Based on our UK research, firms still relying on on-premise systems are 2x more likely to delay hiring for AI-enhanced roles,” Liz notes. “It’s not about willingness, it’s about readiness.”

Looking Ahead

Rather than eliminating roles, AI is carving out new opportunities. Accountants are moving from number-crunchers to consultants, focusing more on strategic guidance, risk analysis, and business growth.

And for recruiters like Liz, this shift brings clarity: “Firms aren’t hiring fewer people, they’re hiring differently. If you’re adaptable, tech-savvy, and can build strong client relationships, your value in this market is only increasing.”