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Artificial intelligence

Expand your Accounting Intelligence with ICAEW's practical AI resources

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Laura Beales, ACA, co-founder of Tally Workspace
Michael Austin, Chartered Accountant at Blue Dot Consulting
Case studies
Event

AI Assurance Conference

Our inaugural conference brings together key industry players including assurance providers, businesses, policy makers, and academics to explore the role of AI Assurance in promoting responsible AI adoption and innovation.
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Skills chartered accountants needs in an AI world

The skills chartered accountants need in an AI world

AI will clearly be part of a chartered accountant’s day-to-day work for decades to come. In this video, Jag Dhaliwal learns from ICAEW members what skills she should be looking to develop for a successful career.
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Video

Understanding what we can and can’t trust with AI

As the applications of AI continue to grow and grow, Laura Beales learns from fellow members in this video how she can use AI responsibly and in the right way to grow her business.
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Video

Why professional scepticism is so crucial to using AI

In this video, Michael Austin outlines why professional scepticism is so important for chartered accountants as the world uses AI more and more. He is encouraged to hear from younger members in an ICAEW workshop that they clearly understand this.
Watch now
Article

AI skills gap is a ticking time bomb

Estimates predict that with the adoption of AI technology, 40% of the workforce will need to re-skill in the next three years. So what’s the risk of losing your competitive edge if you fail to upskill your staff?
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Videos: AI Masterclasses

Masterclass 1: Improving audit documentation
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2024
Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK explains how generative AI can be used for practice members to better understand and document a client’s sales process.
Masterclass 2: Setting better performance objectives
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she uses generative AI to help her set performance objectives for her and her team.
Masterclass 3: Making audit sampling more efficient and effective
  • Article
  • 13 Nov 2024
Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK outlines how generative AI can help members in practice ensure that audit sampling is being handled correctly.
Masterclass 4: Understanding differences in reporting standards
  • Article
  • 20 Nov 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical shows how she has used generative AI to help her transition from reporting under IFRS to UK GAAP.
Masterclass 5: Moving from Excel to Power BI formulas
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical explains how she used generative AI to help her move data from Excel to Power BI to give senior management a very different view of debt risk.
Masterclass 6: Reviewing control processes
  • Article
  • 31 Oct 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she used generative AI to help check her firm’s banking controls when she was new in post.
Masterclass 7: Drafting a risk register
  • Article
  • 07 Mar 2025
Jannie Wentzel, Partner and Principal Consultant, Cential and a chartered accountant explains how he uses generative AI to solve the ‘blank page problem’ when he’s tying to create a risk register.
Masterclass 8: Preparing to interview senior executives
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2025
Jannie Wentzel, Partner and Principal Consultant, Cential and a chartered accountant explains how he uses generative AI to prepare for senior-executive interviews as part of his work in providing risk advice.
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Understanding AI

How AI is changing chartered accountancy
  • Video
As AI continues to transform the profession, ICAEW members discuss on video how they are capitalising on the technology to serve clients. Peter Hollis shares his thoughts on using AI in his practice.
Types of AI: how are they classified?
  • Article
In his second article, BDO’s Paul Ekwere explains how types of AI differ, providing a deeper introductory understanding of AI categorisations and how they can be used in the profession.
Understanding AI: what is – and isn’t – artificial intelligence?
  • Article
An in-depth awareness of AI is no longer the preserve of data science professionals or technology enthusiasts. In the first of two articles, BDO’s Paul Ekwere explains what AI actually is – and what it isn’t.
AI is here to stay – the profession must embrace it, responsibly
  • Article
ICAEW has produced a host of new resources for members looking to learn more about how to use AI. Iain Wright, ICAEW Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, explains why the time is right to take that step.
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Generative AI

AI: separating myth from reality, with Oracle
  • Webinar
  • 07 Apr 2025
Explore the implications of AI and Generative AI for Finance teams.
Exclusive How should Gen AI fit into your marketing strategy?
  • Article
  • 24 Mar 2025
This article explores how businesses can effectively use generative AI in marketing, outlining key questions for companies to consider before implementation.
Prompt engineering: interacting with generative AI tools
  • Article
  • 21 Mar 2025
Prompt engineering creates succinct commands to direct and guide artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Here, we explore how to develop your prompt engineering skills to get optimal output from AI models.
How AI can improve sustainability assurance
  • Article
  • 05 Mar 2025
Case study: ekointelligence is a generative AI tool, developed in part by chartered accountants, that can digest and review all environmental statements published by an organisation.
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AI skills for accountants

How to secure vital AI skills and an engaged workforce
  • Article
  • 21 Mar 2025
How should the UK nurture the skill sets that will underpin the AI-driven future of enterprise and accountancy? Members voiced their ideas for action in a round table.
The skills chartered accountants need in an AI world
  • Video
  • 28 Jan 2025
AI will clearly be part of a chartered accountant’s day-to-day work for decades to come. In this video, Jag Dhaliwal learns from ICAEW members what skills she should be looking to develop for a successful career.
ICAEW updates ethics course on AI and culture
  • Article
  • 24 Jan 2025
ICAEW has added two new units to its free ethics elearning course for members, exploring the ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence and strategies for building an ethical culture.
AI skills gap is a ticking time bomb
  • Article
  • 13 Nov 2024
Estimates predict that with the adoption of AI technology, 40% of the workforce will need to re-skill in the next three years. So what’s the risk of losing your competitive edge if you fail to upskill your staff?
More

Training

AI tools for accountants
  • eLearning module
This three-hour elearning course provides an in-depth look at AI tools and technologies designed for accountants, covering: machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), robotic process automation (RPA), and AI governance.
Innovating finance with AI (Virtual)
  • Course
A guide to digital technologies and their impact. This immersive course empowers accountants with strategies to implement key technologies like automation, AI and advanced analytics.
Innovating finance with AI (in-person)
  • Course
A guide to digital technologies and their impact. This immersive course empowers accountants with strategies to implement key technologies like automation, AI and advanced analytics.
How to get started with AI
  • eLearning module
Understand the next steps to take on your journey to explore artificial intelligence and cognitive computing, and begin to think about the opportunities for your own organisation, through this video in our eLearning module.
Introduction to generative AI
  • eLearning module
Generative AI has the power to transform the way we work, learn and interact with technology. Discover what generative AI can do, how it works and how it differs from 'traditional' AI.
Generative AI for finance
  • eLearning module
Explore predictions where generative AI could disrupt finance, the value these solutions could deliver and the impact this could have on workers across finance.
Browse ICAEW courses

Use cases

How AI can improve sustainability assurance
  • Article
  • 05 Mar 2025
Case study: ekointelligence is a generative AI tool, developed in part by chartered accountants, that can digest and review all environmental statements published by an organisation.
AI use cases: eight ways AI can help
  • Article
  • 29 Oct 2024
AI can be used for a variety of tasks to assist accountants in business and practice. Here are eight ways in which AI can help increase productivity and efficiency in finance and accounting teams.
AI: It’s only as good as the data you feed it
  • Article
  • 30 Oct 2024
Without a well-managed body of subject-specific data at its core, an AI tool in your firm will not be able to help your clients properly, an insolvency practitioner explains.
How we applied AI to combat modern slavery
  • Article
  • 10 Jun 2024
The iEARTHS project is a causal AI system designed to tackle modern slavery. David Wray, ICAEW member and one of its creators, explains the considerations that went into its development.
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Managing risks

Support on managing the potential risks and ethical challenges of AI.

Why patchy regulation is a challenge for AI
  • Article
  • 21 Mar 2025
In a fascinating recent round-table event, ICAEW members explored a host of issues around how the UK regulatory landscape should best address companies’ use of artificial intelligence.
Masterclass 8: Preparing to interview senior executives
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2025
Jannie Wentzel, Partner and Principal Consultant, Cential and a chartered accountant explains how he uses generative AI to prepare for senior-executive interviews as part of his work in providing risk advice.
Masterclass 7: Drafting a risk register
  • Article
  • 07 Mar 2025
Jannie Wentzel, Partner and Principal Consultant, Cential and a chartered accountant explains how he uses generative AI to solve the ‘blank page problem’ when he’s tying to create a risk register.
National efforts to build cyber resilience and secure AI
  • Article
  • 27 Feb 2025
This month's cyber round-up covers key information on recent policy developments and new initiatives in the UK focused on enhancing cyber resilience and securing AI. Learn more about how this will protect and support businesses, and what guidance is available.
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Limitations of AI

Over-reliance on automation: a cautionary tale from Plato
  • Article
  • 27 May 2024
The dangers of too much tech are not a new concern – Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna explains why accountants can take a sceptical cue from the ancient Greeks when it comes to AI.
AI in audit: the good, the bad and the ugly
  • Podcast
  • 30 May 2024
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the use of artificial intelligence in audit.
Don't let AI tools land you in hot water
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2024
In this article we cover some of the professional ethical implications you need to consider when using Generative AI tools such as Chat GPT.
Exclusive Don’t expect too much from AI, after all, it’s not only human…
  • Article
  • 04 Jul 2023
Whether you consider AI to be the beginning of the end for the human race, or a massive opportunity to improve all aspects of life and work, it’s been hard to ignore it recently. In this example Simon Hurst seeks the help of ChatGPT with a simple calculation and receives answers that are worrying, impressive and puzzling, all at the same time.
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Articles Recordings
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eBooks

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence for Audit, Forensic Accounting, and Valuation : A Strategic Perspective
  • Aug 2020
  • Al Naqvi
  • John Wiley & Sons,
An artificial intelligence revolution is sweeping through the world. Auditors and forensic accountants in firms of all sizes and types are trying to understand what it means for them. Many want to explore how to build plans for total intelligent automation to move their companies forward into the new AI economy.
Exclusive ChatGPT and AI for accountants: a practitioner's guide to harnessing the power of GenAI to revolutionise your accounting practice
  • Jun 2024
  • Scott Dell, Mfon Akpan
  • Packt Publishing
Designed for finance professionals and accounting business educators, students, and enthusiasts interested in understanding and applying artificial intelligence in their work in their professional or personal lives.
Exclusive ChatGPT for dummies
  • Mar 2025
  • Pam Baker
  • John Wiley & Sons
Focuses on how to use ChatGPT, including discussions and guidance on prompting techniques.
Exclusive Digitally curious: your guide to navigating the future of AI and all things tech
  • Sep 2024
  • Andrew Grill
  • John Wiley & Sons
For anyone who has heard phrases such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, quantum computing, GenAI, or 5G and wondered what they mean and what they mean for your business.
Exclusive Microsoft Copilot for dummies
  • Feb 2025
  • Chris Minnick
  • John Wiley & Sons
Learn how to use Copilot to help you as you do everyday tasks like emailing, having meetings, reading and researching, and creating business reports.
Exclusive Future-proof accounting: data and technology strategies
  • Jul 2024
  • Mfon Akpan
  • Emerald
Provides an understanding of the latest accounting technologies and their practical applications for the accountancy profession, including sections on artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, blockchain, and data visualisation.
Terms of use:

You are permitted to access articles subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Industry press

The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles on artificial intelligence as a benefit of ICAEW membership.
Exclusive How should Gen AI fit into your marketing strategy?
  • Article
  • 24 Mar 2025
This article explores how businesses can effectively use generative AI in marketing, outlining key questions for companies to consider before implementation.
Exclusive Can the UK government achieve its ambition to become an AI powerhouse?
  • Article
  • 21 Jan 2025
Article reports on the Government's plans to develop the UK's AI capabilities and the possible blockages such as large investments in infrastructure that will needed.
Exclusive The answer engines
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2025
The article discusses the evolution of search engines towards AI-driven conversational search, with Google introducing AI Overviews to provide direct answers to queries. Other players like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft are also incorporating generative AI into search results.
Exclusive Why do people not accept AI?
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2025
Article explorers the barriers to people's willingness to harness the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence. These barriers are due to the negative thoughts about job losses, fears of the misuse of personal data and even to AI taking over the world.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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Useful links

Links to guidance and information from external websites on artificial intelligence.
The EU AI Act: a guide for SME accountants
  • Website
  • 12 Feb 2025
Factsheet from Accountancy Europe, providing an overview of the EU AI Act’s main provisions, with particular focus on their potential impact on SMEs. The factsheet aims to inform SMEs, their advisors as well as smaller accountancy practitioners themselves about ways in which the AI Act might impact their business.
The State of AI
  • Website
  • 30 May 2024
Annual McKinsey Global Survey on AI - "As generative AI adoption accelerates, survey respondents report measurable benefits and increased mitigation of the risk of inaccuracy. A small group of high performers lead the way."
Generative AI and the future of the legal profession
  • Website
  • 13 Jul 2023
A LexisNexis July 2023 report into the views of UK legal professionals on using artificial intelligence (AI) tools within their firms. The report's findings included that clients want their law firms to adopt AI tools sooner than the latter think. Requires free registration to access.
Artificial Intelligence sector study 2022
  • Website
  • 29 Mar 2023
An analysis of the UK’s AI sector, including figures on size, employment, revenue and investment.

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided ‘as is’ with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

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Free elearning on AI

ICAEW members can access four elearning modules examining AI, including Gen AI, its application and impact on the finance profession.
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Further resources

Support
Generative AI Guide

Explore the possibilities of generative AI in accounting through ICAEW's guide to Gen AI, covering use cases, risks, limitations, ethics and how to get started.

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Events and courses

Browse a list of ICAEW CPD courses covering technology, across virtual, in-person and elearning options, and see a list upcoming technology focused events.

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Data Analytics

Helping finance professionals develop the advanced data analytics and visualisation skills needed to succeed in this insight-driven era.

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