AI-driven firms will fix accounting's talent crisis

For decades, accounting has faced an image problem. It's seen by many as a career of endless spreadsheets, thankless busywork and too many late nights in fluorescent-lit offices. And for many accountants, that's the reality. 

It's no surprise, then, that young professionals have opted for other careers. This, combined with veteran accountants retiring at a faster rate than new professionals entering the field, has led to the current talent crisis. Yet, client demand and regulatory complexity are increasing and adding more pressure to already constrained resources.

Accountants need to be wise enough to invest in technological change that will not only attract the next generation of accounting talent but also fundamentally reshape the economics of the field.

AI is more than a workflow upgrade

Since the market is starting to evolve from AI hype, accounting leaders know that AI can improve tasks and streamline operations. But AI allows companies to do more than just take notes, draft emails, and automate the routine data entry, reconciliations and copy-and-paste grunt work that accountants at all levels despise.

AI-first firms are already reducing review time by 40% to 60%, and unlocking efficiencies that enable them to better serve clients and offer a more attractive career path for the next generation of accountants, making them more intriguing and competitive across the board.

The use of AI can save each accountant several hours per week, while still allowing them to maintain accuracy and high-touch client relationships. The time saved allows senior staff to maintain a sensible workload and reinvest in younger talent by coaching them and elevating them more quickly to meet client demand. AI will allow accountants to work to live, not live to work, which is what the younger generation continues to value.

This is all great for the future of the profession, but what's in it from a business perspective? Everything. The market is shifting toward real-time financial insight, and businesses are increasingly expecting accountants to be part of strategic decision-making for tax strategy, forecasting and capital management, rather than "keeping the books." Firms without the ability to support more clients, changing regulations and do it seamlessly and quickly, will lose clients, run their senior staff into the ground, fail to recruit new talent and ultimately drive themselves out of business.

How to make it happen

Students and young professionals aren't simply choosing between accounting and another profession; they're choosing to work for companies that simultaneously pay them well, let them advance their careers faster and achieve the success they're looking for. According to Salary.com, in August 2025, the average salary for accountants in the U.S. was about $74,120.For finance and tech, the average salary for the same time period was $81,943 per year. 

As accountants begin using AI more widely, there are several additional steps firms can take to attract the right talent and put the profession back on par with other covetable career paths now.

Offer hybrid roles or career paths into advisory work: Allow young professionals to rotate into FP&A, corporate financial planning, analytics or tech automation roles within the firm. This gives them a career path with broader upside.

Incentivize with performance bonuses and profit-sharing: In addition to competitive total compensation packages, introduce variable compensation tied to firm growth, client profitability or value delivered (not just hours billed). This creates more alignment with "upside" thinking.

Embed technology and automation as core functions, not bolt-ons: Let accountants work closely with AI, data tools and platforms, making the work more attractive and skill-enhancing. If tax roles become more technical, they can command higher pay.

Invest in training and reskilling: Offer training in data analytics, financial modeling, software and automation tools, or cross-functional skills like business strategy. That allows accounting staff to stretch into higher-paying adjacent roles.

Create specialty or niche vertical practices: Go into high-value, high-complexity tax niches (international tax, transfer pricing, R&D tax credits, etc.) where the margins are higher and talent is scarce.

Leverage flexible work like hybrid and remote options: Many people leave accounting/tax for finance/tech because of better flexibility. Offering modern work arrangements can reduce that attrition.

Once young professionals get time back at work, companies can reinvest the money saved by leveraging AI to assist staff in pursuing specialist certifications and continued education opportunities. As young professionals gain expertise, they can then be asked to build out new verticals and teams or lead new initiatives that help their careers and the company grow. 

By leveraging AI and investing in their staff as humans and professionals, not only will accounting firms attract young professionals and increase retention overall, they'll ensure they stay competitive in the shifting marketplace, rather than becoming obsolete by their own volition.