Can AI (Artificial Intelligence) Replace the Role of Accountants?
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, accounting, self-efficacy, digital transformationAbstract
With an emphasis on information system quality, information quality, and self-efficacy, this study investigates how accounting professionals and students perceive the function and effects of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting field. Data was gathered using a combination of methods, including questionnaires and in-depth interviews with a range of stakeholders, such as banking analysts, financial managers, and auditors. Multiple regression analysis shows that system and information quality have a significant impact on user satisfaction while self-efficacy does not. User satisfaction is the primary factor influencing the use of AI. Qualitatively, AI is believed to be useful for routine tasks, but its application to challenging decisions is restricted, and it faces challenges pertaining to technical, financial, and human resource readiness. These results highlight the significance of human-AI cooperation, efficient training methods, and the moral application of digital transformation in accounting.
References
A. A. Vărzaru, “Assessing the Impact of AI Solutions’ Ethical Issues on Performance in Managerial Accounting,” Electron. Switz., vol. 11, no. 14, 2022, doi: 10.3390/electronics11142221.
A. Bandura, “Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective,” Asian J. Soc. Psychol., 1999, doi: 10.1111/1467-839X.00024.
A. F. Holmes and A. Douglass, “Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping the Accounting Profession and the Disruption to Accounting Education,” J. Emerg. Technol. Account, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 53–68, 2022, doi: 10.2308/JETA-2020-054.
A. M. A. Mohamed Saad, “Adapting accountants to the AI revolution: university strategies for skill enhancement, job security and competence in accounting,” High. Educ. Ski. Work-Based Learn., 2024, doi: 10.1108/HESWBL-10-2023-0295.
A. M. H. Musa and H. Lefkir, “The role of artificial intelligence in achieving auditing quality for small and medium enterprises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Int. J. Data Netw. Sci., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 835–844, 2024, doi: 10.5267/j.ijdns.2023.12.021.
B. H. Wixom and P. A. Todd, “A Theoretical Integration of User Satisfaction and Technology Acceptance,” Inf. Syst. Res., vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 85–102, Mar. 2005, doi: 10.1287/isre.1050.0042.Bandura, A., "Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control," 1997.
D. Brougham and J. Haar, “Smart Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Algorithms (STARA): Employees’ perceptions of our future workplace,” J. Manag. Organ, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 239–257, Mar. 2018, doi: 10.1017/jmo. 2016.55.
D. Deliu and A. Olariu, “The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics in Shaping the Future of Professions in Industry 6.0: Perspectives from an Emerging Market,” Electron. Switz., vol. 13, no. 24, 2024, doi: 10.3390/electronics13244983. D.-J. Chi and C.-C. Chu, "Artificial intelligence in corporate sustainability: Using LSTM and GRU for going concern prediction," Sustain. Switz., vol. 13, no. 21, 2021, doi: 10.3390/su132111631.
E. Brynjolfsson and A. McAfee, The second machine age: work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies, First Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
F. D. Davis, “Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology,” MIS Q., vol. 13, no. 3, p. 319, Sept. 1989, doi: 10.2307/249008.
F.-N. Liao, C. Zhang, J.-J. Zhang, X. Yan, and T.-X. Chen, “Hyperbole or reality? The effect of auditors’ AI education on audit report timeliness,” Int. Rev. Financ. Anal., vol. 91, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.irfa.2023.103050.
J. Kokina and T. H. Davenport, “The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence: How Automation is Changing Auditing,” J. Emerg. Technol. Account, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 115–122, Mar. 2017, doi: 10.2308/jeta-51730.
K. M. Bakarich and P. E. O'Brien, "The Robots are Coming … But Are not Here Yet: The Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Public Accounting Profession," J. Emerg. Technol. Account, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 27–43, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.2308/JETA-19-11-20-47.
M. M. Thottoli, “Leveraging information communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance auditing practices,” Account. Res. J., vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 134–150, 2024, doi: 10.1108/ARJ-09-2023-0269.
M. J. A. Gonçalves, A. C. F. da Silva, and C. G. Ferreira, "The Future of Accounting: How Will Digital Transformation Impact the Sector?" Informatics, vol. 9, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.3390/informatics9010019. N. Veeramootoo, R. Nunkoo, and Y. K. Dwivedi, "What determines the success of an e-government service? Validation of an integrative model of e-filing continuance usage," Gov.. Inf. Q., vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 161–174, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.giq.2018.03.004.
S. Assidi, M. Omran, T. Rana, and H. Borgi, “The role of AI adoption in transforming the accounting profession: a diffusion of innovations theory approach,” J. Account. Organ. Change, 2025, doi: 10.1108/JAOC-04-2024-0124.
S. Khan and S. Gupta, “Boosting the efficacy of green accounting for better firm performance: artificial intelligence and accounting quality as moderators,” Meditari Account. Res., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 472–496, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1108/MEDAR-02-2024-2379.
S. Petter, W. DeLone, and E. McLean, “Measuring information systems success: models, dimensions, measures, and interrelationships,” Eur. J. Inf. Syst., vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 236–263, June 2008, doi: 10.1057/ejis. 2008.15.
S. G. Sutton, M. Holt, and V. Arnold, "' The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated'—Artificial intelligence research in accounting," Int. J. Account. Inf. Syst., vol. 22, pp. 60–73, Sept. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.accinf.2016.07.005.
W. H. DeLone and E. R. McLean, “The DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success: A Ten-Year Update,” J. Manag. Inf. Syst., vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 9–30, Apr. 2003, doi: 10.1080/07421222.2003.11045748.
Y. Peng, S. F. Ahmad, A. Y. A. B. Ahmad, M. S. Al Shaikh, M. K. Daoud, and F. M. H. Alhamdi, “Riding the Waves of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Accounting and Its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals,” Sustain. Switz., vol. 15, no. 19, 2023, doi: 10.3390/su151914165.
