A new report from Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) reveals significant enthusiasm about the use of AI in the profession, with 85% of respondents expressing willingness to use AI tools - and 91% of those aged 18–24 already using the technology.
Members of Chartered Accountants Ireland were surveyed alongside respondents from 13 other Chartered bodies around the world, with the findings showing that AI is increasingly integrated into business processes and that the profession is actively embracing change. Chartered Accountants Ireland is the largest professional body on the island of Ireland, representing almost 40,000 members and educating 6,600 students.
Key findings:
- AI is reshaping the profession - 85% of respondents are willing to use AI tools. This rises to 91% among 18–24-year-olds and is accompanied by strong understanding (59%) of the potential uses of AI in accountancy.
- AI is already in use -
- 83% of 18–24-year-olds use AI tools weekly - mainly for general productivity, data entry, reconciliation of accounts, and financial reporting.
- While 80% of 18–24-year-olds feel confident using AI in their roles, only 47% of those aged 55+ share that confidence.
- The most used tools are Gen AI chatbots, Microsoft Copilot and business intelligence tools.
- 45% say AI is already helping them to work more effectively and efficiently.
- 31% say they are already using traditional AI in their job.
- 29% are already using generative AI (GenAI) in their job.
- Barriers to adoption - 52% of those surveyed state that the biggest barrier to AI adoption is insufficient skills and training. 30% also cite data security concerns as a reason they do not use AI more frequently.
- Upskilling is essential - despite a high willingness to use AI, there is a skills gap and feeling of unpreparedness for the changes AI will bring. 30% have participated in AI-related training through their organisation, but 92% are likely to participate if offered the opportunity. 65% expect to receive AI-related training from their professional body, while 32% expect it from employers.
Commenting Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland, said
“It is really encouraging to see strong early adoption and enthusiasm in the profession. It is clear from the research, however, that current usage is largely focused on general-purpose productivity tools, rather than technical work, with much of the momentum driven by individual initiative and self-directed learning.
“Only 30% have participated in AI-related training through their organisation, and among those that have not engaged in training, 61% say it is because it is not offered. There is a high employee willingness to engage, with 92% saying they are likely to participate if offered the opportunity, so bridging this gap will be crucial to unlocking the further potential of AI for the profession. Smaller practices and businesses may not have the resources to deliver tailored AI training, so it’s essential that professional bodies like ours step in to bridge that gap. There is also an opportunity for the government to play a role in supporting widespread digital upskilling, particularly for SMEs, to ensure no part of the profession is left behind as AI reshapes the business landscape.”
AI is an opportunity, not a threat
There is consensus in the findings that AI will augment, rather than replace, the Chartered Accountant’s role, with human intelligence remaining at the heart of the profession. Chartered Accountants will continue to rely on core skills, and the training priorities of respondents reflects this:
- Critical thinking (77% rate this as a priority)
- Data privacy and security (71% rate this as a priority)
- AI ethics (66% rate this as a priority)
Barry Dempsey continued:
“Priorities such as critical thinking, an emphasis on data privacy and security and AI ethics go to the very heart of chartered accountants as trusted business leaders. Critical thinking will continue to be crucial in scrutinising and applying AI insights to provide effective advice to business/clients. Similarly, with increased AI use, it's even more important to ensure structured, effective training to use technology ethically and protect data responsibly.
“56% of respondents agree that incorporating AI makes accountancy more attractive as a career choice and we remain committed to equipping the next generation of Chartered Accountants with the skills and mindset to lead in a world shaped by innovation, from their first steps as students to their roles as future business leaders.”
Read the report in full CAW_AI-in-Accountancy-web.pdf
Read media coverage Chartered accountants confident about adoption of AI in their work, survey finds – The Irish Times
LOADING...