Episode 2

AI vs Accountants: Who Wins that War?

This is new Accounting AI Podcast. We're building up the show from a relaunched old podcast and today features a show recently released on our sister Accounting Voices Podcast.

This was the kick off show in a series of 6 about the move from compliance to advisory work, largely driven by AI. You can tune into the full series on our Accounting Voices YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts.

Today Rob Brown explains why compliance work is collapsing under AI, automation and private equity consolidation. Accountants who stay compliance-only face price erosion, invisibility and unemployment.

Rob shares hard stats, cross-industry signals and a 5-step survival playbook for protecting your career. This series is not about firms. It is about you - your visibility, your relevance and your survival.

Key Takeaways

  • 40% of jobs worldwide are at risk from AI (IMF)
  • 50% of compliance tasks can already be automated (PwC)
  • 340k accountants left the US profession in 3 years (WSJ)
  • Middle management is shrinking across industries
  • Private equity roll-ups are cutting costs and layers
  • Irrelevance equals unemployment for accountants
  • 5 steps to start protecting your career today

Killer Quotes

  • “If 50% of the work you bill for can be automated tomorrow, what is left of your career”
  • “Irrelevance equals unemployment”
  • “Compliance has become a commodity. Nobody wins that race”
  • “If you’re invisible you’re vulnerable”

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/TguwPn7JlcE

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

The Accounting AI Podcast helps accountants, finance professionals and firm leaders understand how artificial intelligence is transforming the profession. Host Rob Brown brings together experts, innovators and firm leaders to interpret the impact of AI on accounting, from strategy and leadership to client service and people. The show offers clarity and confidence for professionals who want to stay relevant and informed without the technical jargon.

Watch every episode in video format on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with accounting technology vendors, consultants and firms to create high-quality interviews, video content and thought leadership that raise visibility and credibility in the market. If your brand or story deserves more attention in the accounting space, connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show or partner with the Accounting Voices Network, reach out to Rob on LinkedIn and his team will be in touch to arrange a chat.

All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Accounting AI Podcast
Accounting AI Podcast
Host Rob Brown chairs expert panels to help accountants leaders understand the real impact of artificial intelligence on the profession without the jargon.

Listen for free

About your hosts

Profile picture for Rob Brown

Rob Brown

Profile picture for Martin Bissett

Martin Bissett

Martin is the founder of the Bissett Group of companies that provide practice and personal growth communities, content, and continuing education exclusively to the accounting and bookkeeping professions worldwide. Previously he established a high six-figure consulting firm while serving as a keynote speaker with over 100 one-off and repeat engagements to his name, as well as becoming the most published author on his topics of specialism with 11 books including 1 bestseller.

Since 1998, Martin Bissett has played a major part in working with over 1800 accounting firms in over 40 countries. These projects have led to those firms acquiring over £500m of recurring fees before inflationary increases, referrals and upselling are factored in. He stopped keeping track of this number over 5 years ago. Martin now advises a range of accounting practitioners and fintech companies at board level.