What is the Accounting AI Playbook?

The Accounting AI Playbook is a strategic guide designed to help accounting, audit, and tax executives navigate the complexities of AI adoption in their field.

This Playbook is a collaborative resource, with each chapter contributed by experts in AI or accounting. Their diverse expertise ensures deep insights into the most pressing topics for accountants exploring AI’s role in their workflows.

The goal of this Playbook is to provide practical, applicable strategies for AI integration in accounting. Whether professionals are in the early stages of AI exploration or actively implementing AI tools, this guide offers a structured approach to drive measurable business results.

How to Use This Playbook

This Playbook is designed for accounting professionals at all stages of AI adoption.

Its structure mirrors the AI implementation process, making it an ideal step-by-step guide. While reading in order is recommended, each chapter is self-contained, providing valuable insights into specific aspects of AI adoption.

Whether you are exploring AI for the first time, actively integrating AI into your workflows, or looking to optimize existing AI systems, this Playbook serves as a roadmap for successfully navigating AI in accounting.

The Rise of AI in Accounting

By the Numbers

71%

of companies are using AI in finance operations (According to KPMG’s Global AI in Finance Report)

92%

of companies report that their finance functions’ AI initiatives are meeting or exceeding their ROI expectations (According to KPMG’s Global AI in Finance Report)

4 hours

a week, or 200 hours a year, is the projected amount of time AI currently saves accountants, reaching 12 hours a week in four years (According to Thomas Reuters’ Future of Professionals Report)

57%

of finance executives want more AI expertise from their auditors (According to KPMG’s Global AI in Finance Report)

The transformative impact of AI is no longer theoretical; it is a reality. For accountants, AI has the potential to redefine the profession.

From automating clerical tasks to enhancing financial reporting and detecting compliance risks, firms have begun integrating AI into their finance functions and seen immediate, provable return on investment.

AI frees up time for accountants to deliver more strategic insights, while also bringing new expectations. Clients are looking to auditors for guidance on AI adoption, governance, and controls. Soon, delivering AI guidance will become essential for all accounting firms.

Whether you're just starting or refining your AI strategy, this Playbook will guide you through AI's growing role in the industry. Written by accounting professionals sharing their firsthand AI experiences, this resource is designed to be both practical and insightful.

Inside you will find action able strategies, real-world case studies, and interactive tools you can put to immediate use, such as:

Phased AI Rollout Timeline
Accounting AI Tools List (By Use Case)
Universal AI Governance Policy Template
And many more…

This Playbook is your roadmap for success— an invitation to explore, experiment, and lead the profession forward with confidence.

Introduction

CONTRIBUTORS

THE ACCOUNTING AI PLAYBOOK

FIRST EDITION