Are Accountant and Client Relationships About to Change Because of AI?

The accounting world is changing fast. AI is now part of daily life in many firms. From reconciliations to reports and forecasts, technology is helping accountants work faster and smarter.

That sounds like progress, and it is. But it also raises an important question. If AI can handle more of the technical work, how will it affect the relationship between accountants and their clients?

What’s Already Changing

A recent study by KarbonHQ found that 85 percent of accountants see speed and accuracy as the biggest benefits of AI, while 68 percent say it helps reduce errors. 

AI now manages a lot of routine work such as invoice processing, transaction coding, and report preparation.

According to The CPA Journal, some firms have already reduced admin time by up to 40 percent through automation.

All of this gives accountants more time to focus on what clients truly value: advice, analysis, and strategic planning.

At Beyond the Ledgers, we make this possible by helping accounting firms in Australia and New Zealand build reliable offshore teams in the Philippines. Our teams handle the daily accounting tasks, administrative work, and data management that keep operations running smoothly. This gives in-house accountants more time to focus on clients, relationships, and growth.

The Relationship Is Evolving

AI has changed what clients expect from their accountants.

Clients now want faster responses, real-time insights, and accurate information at any moment. They also expect their accountants to use technology to identify risks and opportunities sooner.

Beyond the Ledgers supports this evolution behind the scenes.Our teams ensure data is processed correctly, reports are accurate, and systems are continuously updated. By managing the day-to-day work, we help accountants deliver more value to their clients without losing focus on quality.

Why AI Still Needs People

AI can handle large amounts of data, but it cannot understand context. It can detect patterns, but it cannot always tell if something looks wrong. It can process information quickly, but it cannot make judgment calls.

That is why people remain essential. AI depends on accurate inputs, quality checks, and human oversight to be truly effective.

Research by Thomson Reuters shows that AI-related errors increase when systems process large, unverified datasets without human review. Firms that combine automation with skilled human checks report 30 percent fewer issues than those that rely only on software.

At Beyond the Ledgers, we bridge that gap.

Our teams are AI-proficient and trained to work with modern accounting technology. They feed accurate data into systems, monitor results, and flag inconsistencies that algorithms can miss. This ensures technology works as intended and delivers the quality clients expect.

Data You Should Know

• In the 2024 Intuit QuickBooks Accountant Technology Survey, 98% of respondents said they have used AI to help clients in the past 12 months. 

• Of those respondents, 69% said they used AI for data entry and processing. 

• About 51% used AI for fraud detection and prevention.

• Around 47% used AI for real-time financial insights.

• The same survey reports that 57% of firms plan to increase investment in AI and 54% plan to invest in automation over the next year. 

• Deloitte had to refund part of a AU$440,000 contract after AI-generated errors were found in a government report, showing real-world risk in relying solely on AI.

  
  

Tips for Accounting Firms

1. Automate repetitive work such as reconciliations and data entry.

2. Build a hybrid team that combines in-house experts with offshore accounting support.

3. Train your people to use AI tools and understand how to review their output.

4. Always keep human review in place, especially when handling large data sets.

5. Use the time saved from automation to strengthen client relationships and strategy.

   
   

Moving Forward

AI is transforming accounting, but it is not replacing the people who make it work. The future of accounting belongs to firms that know how to combine smart tools with smart people.

At Beyond the Ledgers, we help firms do exactly that. Our AI-proficient offshore teams in the Philippines take care of the daily accounting work, data accuracy, and administrative support that make automation reliable. This allows accountants in Australia and New Zealand to focus on strategy, client relationships, and business growth.

Because even in a world powered by technology, people will always be the key to trust, quality, and success.