Own Personal Point of View

I have never been inside a working environment that relates to accounting and also I would assume that many moderate grade accountants would be afraid of the idea itself. Being a student on the other hand differs. As a student I use AI to double check my calculations in a question, and more recently I started to use Gemini, ChatGPT and Notebook LM to understand some accounting concepts that I had trouble understanding. I am also working as a Peer Tutor in my university and I have created a financial accounting review sheet using only AI. What made me qualified to do this is That I understand financial accounting really well and I wanted a quick sheet to cover all concepts in this course. If I would have done this by hand, most sure I could have forgot some small details. With AI I was able to cover almost all of the topics and even add my personal touch. Also some of my professors are prompting the use of Notebook LM when it comes to how to study the material for any accounting course. Maybe I am trying to see the good side of it to shield myself from any scary ideas.

AI Response on Accounting

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the accounting field both academically and in the workplace, and its role is expected to grow further in the near future. In academic settings, AI tools help accounting students understand complex topics through personalized explanations, automated practice questions, and instant feedback on assignments, making studying more efficient and interactive. AI-powered software can also assist with data analysis, financial modeling, and research, allowing students to focus more on interpretation rather than manual calculations. In the workplace, AI is already used to automate routine accounting tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, reconciliations, and payroll, reducing errors and saving time. It also supports auditors and accountants through advanced data analytics, anomaly detection, and fraud identification by analyzing large volumes of transactions quickly and accurately. Additionally, AI can enhance forecasting, budgeting, and decision-making by identifying trends and providing predictive insights. Overall, AI shifts the role of accountants from performing repetitive tasks to focusing on judgment, analysis, and strategic advisory work, making it a valuable tool for the future of the accounting profession.

A Professor Point of View

Note: The professor did not want to disclose his name.

Based on the interview with one of my accounting professors, the integration of AI is seen not as a disadvantage, but as a tool that enhances the learning experience while shifting the focus of the profession. In the classroom,  AI can used to create better visual aids, examples, and diverse formats for activities, making complex concepts easier to understand. The professor added how he could have used AI if they taught an introductory accounting course, his response was that he thought about building a comprehensive case that focuses on all the concepts students should learn and understand in this course.

In addition, the professor emphasizes that the “basics” must still be learned manually before jumping into AI tools. The core skills required to be an accountant like critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication haven’t changed; they are just as important now as they were before AI. While students are encouraged to use AI as “smart leverage,” the rule is simple: they must acknowledge its use. Despite some frustrations with students using these tools incorrectly, the professor envisions a future where accountants are no longer defined by bookkeeping, but are empowered to focus on high-level decision-making.

A Professional Point of View

Unfortunately, I was not able to interview one of my professors in practice because they were busy. Luckily the past few weeks I had some causal conversations with more than one professor regarding AI in accounting. One of them was some how positive and it revolved around how AI is now being used to enhance the audit practice. Auditing in accounting required accountants to take some data samples from the audited company in order to view their integrity in presentation the financial statements. Now with AI, auditors can take the whole data about a specific year and not only samples. This way when auditors are saying their opinion about companies they are 100% sure because they gathered all the data needed to say this opinion.

Another view from another professor was for me shocking and scary. We were talking and when she realized that I am an accounting major not finance major she got jealous, since I was one of the top performers in her class. She told that AI will take entirely the accounting profession and that I need to empower myself with CS background or a finance masters just to be able to compete in the job market. Such opinion is derived by personal opinion and technical backgrounds.

Two different point of views from professors of the same school having two and complete different point of views about AI and how it might shape the accounting profession.

Adjusted Reflection

After these interviews and discussions, I would definitely say that I am a little scared, super scared actually because by the time I am writing this reflection, I was searching frequently on masters in finance and checking how much time it will take to actually graduate. I forced myself to stop before entering in this cycle of worry. I have joined AUC and sacrificing a good 2 year in another university believing that somehow being and AUC graduate will be enough. Now after AI, being an AUC is going to be the bare minimum. I did not want this idea to consume my thoughts. It is important to acknowledge that AI is going to change the accounting field, but for me it is not rationale say that its going to replace accountants. Now, I have learned that I should be equipped with more tools along side my knowledge in accounting. I am minoring and Information system now and my mind can not stop thinking right now of any other fields or tools to keep adding into my portfolio. I have realized by now that accounting is not the end of line, but rather the building block that I should start from and keep building upon. The fear of being replaced after sacrificing is really hard. I will try not to let consume be, maybe this will motivate me in my field to always keep updating myself and always integrate new technologies in what I know.