As Chartered Accountants Ireland surpasses 40,000 members, it has today published a new position paper on the future of AI and accountancy. The largest professional body on the island of Ireland is calling on Government to invest in AI-ready infrastructure, strengthen supports for SME adoption and embed AI skills and literacy across the education system.
The position paper was launched today alongside Deputy Malcolm Byrne T.D., Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence.
Accountants as trusted advisors
The paper argues that in an AI-driven economy, accountants will play an increasingly important role as trusted business leaders providing governance, ethical oversight and assurance. While the paper acknowledges that AI will bring change to how the profession operates, it reinforces - rather than diminishes - the role accountants play in supporting robust, accountable decision-making.
The Institute also challenges the narrative that accountants are at risk of being replaced by AI, highlighting instead how the profession is evolving alongside the technology. It emphasises that accountants must take a leading role in implementing AI within finance functions, ensuring systems are deployed responsibly, controls are robust, and outputs can be trusted.
Rosemary Keogh, CEO, Chartered Accountants Ireland said
“There is a common belief that AI will replace accountants, but the evidence simply doesn’t support that. It reflects a misunderstanding of what modern accountants actually do. AI is automating routine, rules-based work and most accountants welcome that. It frees them up to focus on higher-value roles like strategy, risk and decision making.
“The AI economy will run on trust. While AI can process extraordinary volumes of data, automate complex tasks, and generate insights at unprecedented speed, trust in those outputs depends on human oversight, ethical judgement and professional accountability. As AI systems become more widely used, the need for trusted financial information will only grow – and this is where accountants add real value.”
Accountants are already using AI across audit, reporting and advisory services, with recent research by Chartered Accountants Worldwide pointing to strong enthusiasm across the profession. 85% of respondents indicated a willingness to use AI tools in their work, with the younger generation overwhelmingly open to using these tools at 91%. The new position paper aims to provide leadership and clarity on how accountants can use the technology responsibly and effectively.
Government policy needed to support AI adoption
Chartered Accountants Ireland is calling for Government to support responsible AI adoption in several ways, noting that AI matters not just for accountants, but for Ireland.
The paper sets out several recommendations, including:
- SMEs need to be supported on their AI journey. Supports from Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, and others need to be more accessible, and SMEs and their workforces given the opportunity to become AI literate cost-effectively.
- Investment in AI-ready infrastructure – For AI to work effectively, Ireland requires an underlying infrastructure that is strong, sustainable, and resilient. From data centres to electricity generation and investments in the national grid, the right foundations are needed to optimise the use of AI.
- Leading on EU simplification and AI regulation – During its upcoming EU Presidency, Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead on the EU’s digital simplification package. Ireland should focus on ensuring regulations are proportionate for businesses and promoting the development of guidance and tools that enable businesses to apply AI productively and responsibly.
- Embedding AI literacy in education – courses in secondary schools and in further and higher education need to be adapted so that all young people are AI literate and aware of the technology’s benefits, opportunities, and dangers.
ACA syllabus world-leading in technological advancements
Over the past decade, significant steps have been taken to integrate AI and emerging technologies into the profession, including a major overhaul of both the content and delivery of the ACA training programmes. Ireland’s progress in this area is now being used as a model internationally for bodies educating accountants in other parts of the world. Since 2018, the Chartered Accountants Ireland syllabus has evolved to include robotic process automation, data analytics, cybersecurity, blockchain and accounting for digital assets.
“Reaching 40,000 members marks a milestone for Chartered Accountants Ireland, reflecting sustained growth and the enduring relevance and trust placed in the profession across Ireland. Chartered accountants continue to be widely sought after in this country as highlighted by the profession’s ongoing inclusion on the government’s Critical Skills Occupation List.
“For many Irish SMEs, their accountant is their main, and often only, advisor. That puts the profession at the frontline of responsible AI adoption: helping businesses assess and manage risk, comply with the law, and make informed investment decisions.”
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