AI is reshaping accounting roles, not replacing them. Explore what’s changing, emerging governance roles, and why strategic thinking and AI fluency matter more than ever.

Summary

As AI reshapes our profession, we're essentially seeing less demand for those routine tasks, a boom in strategic roles and new opportunities for those who understand the cross section between accounting and technology, so less routine, more strategy, more cross disciplinary. And today, I'd like to talk about what's changing in the roles, what's not changing in the roles, what new roles are emerging, and what accountants and bookkeepers should focus on now.

Key discussion points:

• Why AI will replace tasks, not accountants
• The decline of routine compliance work
• The rise of advisory, virtual CFO and fractional CFO roles
• Emerging positions: AI governance, risk reviewers, AI audit trail designers
• The concept of AI “agent managers”
• AI fluency as a critical professional skill
• The growing importance of critical thinking and communication
• Ethical obligations in an AI-embedded profession
• Practical steps: auditing your task list and shifting time to interpretation
• Why governance frameworks and AI policies are now essential

Key takeaways:

• AI augments judgement, it does not replace it
• Advisory creates value, productivity alone does not
• Ethics and professional standards become even more important
• Accountants are uniquely positioned to manage AI governance
• This is a leadership moment for the profession

Contact details:

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Kyelie Baxter shares how AI is changing accounting firm workflows, boosting outputs, and freeing up capacity, while still needing strong guardrails and human judgment.

Summary

In this episode, Kylie Baxter discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming accounting firms, client expectations, and internal workflows, without replacing the human element.

Key discussion points include:

• Kylie’s journey from accountant to firm owner and governance leader
• Volunteering, advisory skills, and building confidence outside the firm
• How AI is being used safely inside an accounting practice
• Setting guardrails and values around AI adoption
• Digitising client admin and finance workflows
• Why accounts payable will become highly automated
• Why payroll still needs strong human involvement
• Paying staff based on outputs, not tools used
• Using AI to reduce mental load and prioritise tasks
• How AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for firms

Key takeaway: AI is a powerful tool for efficiency and capacity, but accountants who apply judgment, governance, and strategy will remain irreplaceable.

Kylie and I were guests of the LYD Unstoppable Growth Conference held at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa in one of the most amazing places in the world, Surfers Paradise!

LYD stands for Light Year Docs, and it is a platform for creating verified legal documents including companies, trusts and commercial agreements. If that’s of interest to you, I’m sure the team would be happy to speak with you.

Contact details:

Kyelie Baxter : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyelie-baxter-fcpa-43224334/

IQ Accountants : https://iqaccountants.com.au

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Heather shares insights from MYOB’s Australian Open event, exploring AI integration, Google Gemini tools, new MYOB Solo app for micro businesses, and the power of keyboard aesthetics.

Summary

In this episode, Heather Smith shares insights from her time at the Australian Open with MYOB, exploring how technology, AI, and workplace tools are reshaping the accounting world:

• MYOB discussed their internal program "AI Every Day," which focuses on mindset, skillset, and toolset
• Overview of MYOB’s mobile-first solution, Solo, designed for freelancers and gig workers. It offers an alternative to spreadsheets for micro business clients
• Discussion on multi-entity support and MYOB's ERP solution, Acumatica
• It's worth remembering that MYOB still stores customer data within Australia across two local data centres
• MYOB's product spectrum includes solutions for micro businesses through to larger companies using Acumatica
• Heather shared her experience looking for a pink keyboard and how ergonomic design impacted her typing and comfort
• She also outlined how using Google Workspace's Gemini AI features has supported her productivity

Contact details:

MYOB https://www.myob.com/au

Solo https://www.myob.com/au/products/solo

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/heathersmithau_accountingandaccountants-activity-7423640248129298432-g81K

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/heathersmithau_accountingandaccountants-myob-activity-7422403938831720448-E5Sw