2025 was the year that generative AI (GenAI) truly entered the profession, albeit tentatively. The big four audit and accounting firms have all heavily invested in their own AI models and tools, and started rolling out their use. Firms of all sizes have been exploring GenAI to a greater or lesser extent, while some have expressed some caution about issues such as data security.

And with the growth of GenAI use among firms and businesses, there is a new pressure on accountants and auditors to start cutting junior roles in favour of AI. In the big four, where AI use is more advanced than elsewhere in the profession, this is already happening; all four cut their graduate intake by as much as 6% to 29% in 2025.

Firms have reported that potential clients are looking at AI use and junior resourcing when making decisions about which audit and accounting firms to engage with. One partner at a mid-tier firm, who asked to remain anonymous, cites a relatively recent example.

“We were told that our junior hours were too high, and we weren’t using AI enough,” they said. “The expectation was that a lot of the junior work would be done by AI. They told us we needed to reduce junior hours, and our overall fees.”

The partner said that stories about the big four firms cutting graduate roles seemed to be influencing business expectations, and that those expectations aren’t always necessarily realistic.

“AI can certainly make junior roles more interesting. It gets rid of some of the really dull tasks, but it complements the junior’s work and makes them more efficient. But it doesn’t replace the role of a junior; the tools just aren’t good enough at present.”

Businesses are using AI for tax and accounting advice

According to research by expenses software company Dext, 77% of accountants and bookkeepers have seen an increase in clients using AIs such as ChatGPT for finance or tax advice. Of these, 72% are being used to challenge professional advice, and 68% said they’d had clients tell them that AI could replace their services.

However, that advice is often completely inaccurate. That same research found that just 5% of firms surveyed had never had to correct AI-generated mistakes. Of the 95% that had corrected these errors, 93% estimated that they spent 10 hours a month fixing these mistakes.

How to address AI concerns

While firms are indeed leveraging AI and automation to improve efficiency and address staff shortages, there are issues to be addressed before they can be heavily relied upon. Firms cited concerns including data security, integration of products, job security, ethics and a lack of skills.

“To remain competitive, firms must refine training strategies, educate clients on software choices and enhance the profession’s appeal, particularly to a more diverse workforce,” said a partner from a mid-tier firm based in the East of England, part of a member insights focus group covering AI use.

These concerns are not solely shared by accountants and auditors in the mid-tier and below; some partners in large firms have expressed that they worry that the shift to AI use could go too far, too fast, as the AI tools can’t do everything that they might be expected to do. The danger, then, is that senior auditors and accountants might end up spending more time on remedial work to make up for AI shortfalls and the lack of junior staff.

Equally, there is no consensus among businesses when it comes to AI use. Other firms indicated that clients still expect to get plenty of face time with human auditors. Going further with AI adoption could end up alienating those clients.

The need for training

Investment in digital skills and training is crucial if accountants and auditors are going to deliver any significant benefit from using AI, said another firm owner. “Several members are implementing AI bots for tax data entry, using AI-powered notetaking and audit analytics tools, and trialling new client communication methods, such as WhatsApp integration. Staff and client resistance to change is challenging. Digital skills training, and the need for careful tool selection to ensure data security and integration, is very important.”

Balance new tech with proven solutions

A small practice owner in Scotland reiterated that clients were expecting cheaper services thanks to technology use. They recommended an approach that used AI technology sparingly with existing processes to minimise the risks, emphasising the need to review AI outputs, and to proceed with caution when it comes to confidential information.

“Gradual implementation, industry benchmarking and strong data governance can help address the barriers to AI adoption,” said a London-based practice owner.

As AI becomes more prevalent, training is moving to focus on high-value skills, such as critical thinking and professional scepticism, they added. “The future of professional services may lean toward more proactive, real-time advisory work, with AI should be seen as a transformative enabler rather than a threat to jobs.”

Identify risks as you go

At the mid-tier firm that experienced the initial knockback from the prospective client, everyone in the firm has been trained on models such as CoPilot. “We want to help them be more efficient and to work out ways in which AI can be used in their day-to-day work. For example, reviewing board minutes, which can go to hundreds of pages.

The firm has also identified risks as their use of AI has increased, such as ways in which it might hallucinate. Some very junior staff may also use AI without checking its work, so the firm has put safeguards in place to address it. “We’re now training on the ethical use of AI. We’re always looking at next steps to make sure that our people are using it effectively.

“We are finding that there are a lot of efficiencies and better-quality work, especially where you have a report for management and you want the language to be more professional. That's really helping us.”

The Partner concluded by pointing out that traditional roles may disappear or radically transform with more AI use. “Everyone's going to have to adapt because AI is not going away. But again, there'll be new roles. You'll be training those graduates in data analytics.”