As artificial intelligence continues to proliferate, CPA firms that use it aren't that unique anymore. While AI was previously the province of only the most progressive firms, today even the smallest sole proprietor has access to powerful AI solutions in its tech stack, with the rise of generative AI only accelerating this trend. Today, the question is no longer who does and does not use AI, but how much they use it, what they use it for, and how well they apply it.
Among those named in this year's Best Firms for Technology are practices that don't simply apply AI to anything and everything they can, but instead have narrowed its uses to specific applications that serve their particular purpose. Like other technological advances that have impacted the profession, in the best cases it is the technology that serves the firm, not the other way around. Whether used for client communications or financial statements, this year's Best Firms take a deliberate and intentional approach toward AI, threading a course between hype and skepticism.
But technology is not just AI. Another thing we have observed is that this year's Best Firms have taken significant steps toward integrating disparate solutions to bolster their automation capacities and provide a smoother workflow. Several have also strengthened their cybersecurity protocols amid rising cyberattacks against accounting firms. And with this increased emphasis on using AI in client service, we've also seen some focus on upgrading their client management systems. Overall, while AI is a major part of how firms are advancing their technology infrastructure, it is far from the only way. These firms take a comprehensive view of the technology landscape and apply the right solutions exactly where needed.
With all this in mind, we present the 2024 cohort of Accounting Today's Best Firms for Technology. (The full report, including profiles of the individual firms,
