AI in Accounting: What’s Changing and What Still Needs Human Touch
- Ashank Rao
- May 20
- 2 min read
Let’s face it — robots aren’t just coming for the future. They’re already here, crunching numbers and automating invoices faster than you can say “Excel sheet.” But does that mean accountants are getting replaced?
Short answer: Nope.
Better answer: The game is changing — and if you’re in finance or running a business, you’ll want to keep up.
What AI is doing well in accounting (and saving us from spreadsheets hell)
1. Data Entry
AI tools can scan receipts, bank statements, and invoices in seconds. No more manual typing. No more human errors from “coffee + keyboard chaos.”
2. Automated Reconciliations
Matching transactions used to take hours. Now? It’s auto-magic. Tools like Xero and QuickBooks use machine learning to suggest matches and clean up your books faster.
3. Real-Time Reporting
Forget month-end reporting sprints. With AI-powered dashboards, you can see how your biz is doing right now — not 3 weeks later.
4. Expense Categorization
AI learns your patterns. So next time you buy software or book a flight, it knows exactly how to categorize it.
5. Fraud Detection
Some tools even flag weird transactions — so if someone’s spending £5,000 on “office snacks,” you’ll know.
But here’s what AI still can’t do (and why humans matter more than ever)
1. Judgment Calls
No AI can (yet) tell you if buying that new MacBook is a smart investment or just you getting shiny-object syndrome.
2. Strategic Advice
AI can show you numbers. But it can’t help you figure out why your profit dipped or how to improve your cash flow. That’s where smart finance humans step in.
3. Client Communication
Want to explain to a founder why their burn rate is dangerous? That needs empathy, context — and sometimes, soft skills no bot has.
4. Custom Tax Planning
Tax rules aren’t just black and white. A human accountant can spot exemptions and credits you didn’t even know existed.
5. Trust & Relationships
Let’s be real. No founder is ever going to pour their startup struggles into a chatbot’s inbox. Relationships still drive trust — and trust drives smart decisions.
So, should you be worried about AI?
Not if you embrace it and evolve.
Whether you’re an accountant or a business owner, the key is partnering with AI — not fighting it. Let the bots handle the grunt work, while you focus on insights, strategy, and that human touch that makes finance actually useful.
At TwinTallies, we use modern tools — but never forget that businesses grow best with real human support.
Need help cleaning up your books or figuring out your next money move? Let’s chat!
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