The artificial intelligence revolution is here, transforming how we serve clients, manage workflows, and compete for talent. As we begin 2026, I believe we’ve reached an important inflection point where accounting leaders move from a general focus on investment to realizing ROI, influencing how successful accounting firms operate and compete in the years ahead.
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2025 will be remembered as the year when AI truly became a core part of how organizations operate. We moved beyond AI simply summarizing information or answering questions, and witnessed AI systems supporting real decision-making and handling complex, multistep processes. The rise of agentic systems was a game changer. Deep research capabilities enabled AI to synthesize complex information, connect the dots between different data sources, and deliver actionable insights. This shift moved AI from being just a helpful tool to becoming a real business catalyst.
A practical example of this shift can be seen in solutions like BDO’s Consultative Selling Module, where AI agents integrate with our internal systems and real-time data systems to provide professionals with immediate insights into current client opportunities and issues. This type of integration enables teams to respond more quickly and effectively, ultimately strengthening client relationships and improving work quality across the organization.
What’s most impressive is how AI is now being embedded directly into the systems and workflows we use every day — from CRM platforms and financial reporting tools to client communication channels and internal knowledge bases. This seamless integration means professionals are benefiting from AI-driven insights and automation without having to think about it; it’s simply part of how work gets done.
Three trends that will define AI in accounting for 2026
Based on what we’re observing in the market, three key developments will significantly shape our profession this year:
- AI-driven sales enablement will become a key differentiator for growth-focused accounting firms. AI will quietly power stronger client relationships by anticipating needs and matching services with precision. Instead of generic outreach, firms will deliver tailored solutions at the right moment, building trust and driving consistent growth. The firms that master this capability will find themselves with deeper client relationships and more predictable revenue streams.
- Agentic workflows will become standard practice. AI agents will continue to expand their handling of everyday tasks like drafting documents, organizing data and flagging issues, so teams can focus on higher-value work. Professionals will continue to shift their focus away from tedium thanks to AI. This isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about fundamentally changing what it means to be an accounting professional, allowing practitioners to spend more time on strategic advisory work and less on data manipulation.
- Unified data foundations will set the standard. The industry will prioritize clean, reliable data as the bedrock for AI. We’ll see a push toward industrywide data standards and collaborative platforms, making it easier for firms to share information securely and leverage AI for more accurate insights and automation. With trustworthy, standardized data, AI will unlock new levels of performance and decision-making across the profession.
What will separate successful firms in 2026
The biggest untapped opportunity in accounting is codifying business knowledge. Many firms still have valuable institutional knowledge scattered across documents and informal know-how. The next leap will come from translating policies, methodologies and decision logic into structured formats that AI can consistently apply.
Firms could leverage technologies like knowledge graphs or automated policy engines to organize and formalize their expertise. For example, by codifying audit procedures and risk assessment criteria into a knowledge graph, AI can help teams identify potential issues faster and ensure consistent application of best practices. This not only improves audit quality and risk management but also makes it easier to onboard new staff and maintain high standards across the organization.
AI is increasingly becoming the invisible infrastructure of business, much as cloud and mobile technology did before it. The impact is clear: more meaningful human work, less time spent on routine tasks, clearer client conversations, and a stronger culture of data discipline. 2026 is about empowering professionals to focus on what matters most, with AI quietly supporting them in the background.
The message for accounting leaders is simple: 2026 will favor firms that integrate AI thoughtfully into their culture, processes, and client relationships rather than those that simply use it most extensively. The transformation is already underway — how quickly and effectively individual firms adapt to lead that transformation will shape their future success.
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