The Impact Regarding the Use of Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence in Accounting Services Industry

Abstract The provision of accounting services has significantly changed over the years and digital technologies have revolutionized the accounting profession. Today cloud technology, robotic process automation and artificial intelligence can support accounting firms to streamline their delivery of services. This study investigates the impact of using the robotic process automation and artificial intelligence technologies in accounting industry. We mobilized technology acceptance model as theoretical framework. Our data was collected having in view the posts made by accountants on two social media groups in the last five years. Considering the technology acceptance model, accounting firms implemented robotic process automation and artificial intelligence to stay competitive under the influence of the business environment, development of technologies, perceptions on usefulness and ease of use. Our results showed that accounting firms take seriously into account the critical statement “digitalize or die”. As regards task performance, robotic process automation facilitates the exchange of data between information systems, processing of invoices and bank statements and reconciliation of transactions. Most accountants emphasized that artificial intelligence need human oversight and is used in accounting for compliance and business advice purposes, whereas in audit is used for analyzing vast datasets to identify risks, patterns and trends. We found that robotic process automation and artificial intelligence can replace the human efforts in many areas of work and they are intended to enhance the accountants’ capabilities. The impact of using these two technologies in accounting industry relates to labor cost savings, higher productivity, service diversification, the possibility to accommodate more clients, job transformation, overcoming the shortage of professionals, prompt service delivery, improved service quality and elevating the client’s satisfaction level. Our research has implications for accounting firms, practitioners and future professionals and our main contribution was to present the impact regarding the application of these two technologies in accounting industry.