Skip to main content

Artificial intelligence is reshaping talent and skills opportunities in accountancy

                                                


Advent of artificial intelligence (AI) provides crucial extra impetus to the ongoing skills evolution


Integration of AI in accountancy and finance presents both challenges and opportunities for the profession. But ACCA research suggests that while there is a need to continuously evolve the skillset and knowledge base, there are also strong foundations in place from which finance professionals can position themselves and their organisations for success in this new era.

 

An ACCA skills analysis of 25,000 accountancy-related jobs found that analytical and audit roles were most likely to require advanced capabilities – such as data science knowledge – while data management skills were in greater demand for transactional roles.

 

Alistair Brisbourne, Head of Technology Research, ACCA, said: ‘Data skills are always evolving and so it’s no surprise to see that there is emerging demand for data science and engineering skills as well as data management skills by employers.  

 

‘That reflects the importance of data-driven decision making within organisations. But it also reflects a profession that is looking to become more pre-emptive in how we use data to solve challenges.’

 

The research – AI Monitor: Skills to drive responsible AI adoption – found that shifting to forward-looking predictive analytics and away from backward-looking dashboards requires a change in tools and skillset.

Predictive analytics is a route to tackling important areas including ESG/sustainability and even elements of risk management. Accounting professionals are now expected to understand a wider variety of data types. Indeed, in a survey of over 900 senior finance leaders who are currently using AI, ACCA found that organisations are anticipating that almost half of finance function roles will be more data-centric – i.e data science or engineering type roles – in the future.

 

Brisbourne said: ‘The integration of AI provides extra impetus to the skills evolution, but one of the most important roles that accountants can play is in being stewards of innovation. That means focusing on value and responsible use of technologies like AI.’

 

AI Monitor: Skills to drive responsible AI adoption points out that there is a crucial balance to be struck. On the one hand, data literacy is evolving to incorporate specific needs associated with the integration of AI and machine learning.

 

On the other hand, the research underlined the fact that AI adoption cannot be tackled by specialists alone – accountancy and finance professionals have a unique role to play in bridging the gap between technical teams, the business, and regulators.

 

Brisbourne concluded: ‘AI adoption is still gathering pace, but the benefits are not a foregone conclusion. That will rely on the right skills and understanding, on the one hand; but success also depends on effective guidance from domain experts like accounting and finance professionals to help them obtain value from those technologies and tackle serious risks.’

 

Read AI Monitor: Skills to drive responsible AI adoption

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

LONGi Pakistan's Ramadan Initiative Illuminates Communities in Pakistan

As part of its ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community welfare, LONGi Pakistan, a leading Solar Technology Company, has launched a special Ramadan campaign in Pakistan. During the Holy month of Ramadan, LONGi Pakistan has been dedicated to providing free meals to communities in need, demonstrating its steadfast support for the local populace. Recognizing the importance of extending a helping hand during Ramadan, LONGi Pakistan initiated a social welfare donation campaign aimed at providing essential sustenance to approximately 500 individuals across Pakistan. The campaign underscores LONGi Pakistan's dedication to not only revolutionizing the energy sector but also fostering meaningful connections with communities. In collaboration with local partners, LONGi Pakistan organized Iftari events in Sukkur and Peshawar, where 250 people were provided with nourishing meals in each city. These events served as a testament to LONGi Pakistan's commitment to making a...

realme Unveils its Production Process to its Community with a Visit to its Assembly Plant in Pakistan

         realme’s Fan Meet up started with an informative factory visit and ended with thrilling rounds of bowling   Behind every successful business there is an army of loyal fans lending their support for its endeavors. For realme, the strong presence of its fans has always been felt in every step of the journey to grow to the heights that the smartphone brand has reached now. realme aims to maintain a certain level of transparency with its community of fans. Having them be aware of how realme operates, what goes into the making of realme devices, as well as realme’s core values is highly important in developing the tech democratizer’s relationship with its fan community.   For this reason, realme decided to pull back the curtain on Wednesday, 10 th  August 2022 during its 828 Fan Fest celebrations and took a group of select fans to their assembly plant on the outskirts of the city of Lahore. This inside look was followed by an exciting hi-tea a...

Seventeen teachers from Beaconhouse complete the International Subject Leadership Certificate

                 Seventeen teachers from Beaconhouse,  one of the largest private educational networks in the world educating over 315,000 students , have successfully completed the inaugural International Subject Leadership Certificate  by the UK-based Professional Training Institute. The 18-month accreditation is a modular course that allows participants to work with experienced practitioners to design exceptional lessons. It aims to develop subject leaders through the design and delivery of challenging Schemes of Work (SOW). Teachers  enrolled in the course reflected on the current context of their subject within their school curriculum, considered what makes successful subject leadership, and explored the course success criteria during the online launch meeting. They gathered evidence to help reflect upon and illustrate the impact of their work on pupils, colleagues and themselves. Du...