AI leadership in Accounting: What It Really Takes
AI leadership in accounting isn’t about technical depth, it’s about firm-wide impact. Should the AI leader in your firm be an AI Expert? We think not! In this article we discuss what AI leadership looks like, and why it’s the difference between dabbling and delivering.
As AI gains traction in accounting, firms are approaching it with different levels of structure. Some are experimenting on the fly, while others are putting clear leadership in place. A common theme among the firms making the biggest strides? They have someone driving AI forward at a senior level.
As firms start thinking more seriously about AI leadership, there’s a common misconception that could hold them back:
The last thing a firm’s head of AI should be is a deep, in-the-weeds AI expert.
That might sound counterintuitive, but stay with us. This isn’t a role for someone who’s spent years refining neural networks or debating transformer architectures on Twitter. AI leadership isn’t a technical research job—it’s a business strategy role.
Firms making real progress with AI aren’t looking for someone who can build models from scratch. They’re looking for someone who understands the nuance of running an accounting firm and the workstreams involved in it.
Firm strategy, not just automation
AI isn’t just about making audits faster or reducing manual work. It’s about reshaping service delivery, pricing models, and client engagement. How does AI create competitive advantage in a profession built on trust and expertise?
How accountants, clients, and regulators think
AI adoption isn’t just about what’s possible—it’s about what partners and clients are ready for. The right AI leader knows how to drive change without breaking the firm’s core relationships or compliance requirements.
How to move AI from hype to execution
Most firms don’t have an AI problem; they have an execution problem. The best AI leader isn’t just talking about potential—they’re embedding AI into real workflows, training teams, and aligning AI projects with firm priorities.
The impact of AI developments on accounting, not just AI itself
The firms leading in AI aren’t chasing trends. They’re asking: What do advances in AI mean for audits, tax advisory, and compliance? Where do we need to build expertise? What risks should we anticipate?
AI leadership in accounting is less about technical knowledge and more about firm transformation. But not like the cloud transformation, because this is not a SYSTEMS change, more a behavioural and planning transformation.
So, how to move AI from hype to execution?
Most firms don’t have an AI problem; they have an execution problem. The best AI leader isn’t just talking about potential—they’re embedding AI into real workflows, training teams, and aligning AI projects with firm priorities.
Firms leading in AI aren’t chasing trends. They’re asking: What do advances in AI mean for audits, tax advisory, and compliance? Where do we need to build expertise? What risks should we anticipate?
AI leadership in accounting is less about technical knowledge and more about firm transformation. It’s about seeing where the profession is headed—and getting there before everyone else.
What Does Strong AI Leadership Could Look Like?
The firms leading the way with AI aren’t just playing with tools—they’re putting structure around their approach. That typically means someone at the senior level is responsible for:
- Owning AI as a firm-wide initiative – AI touches everything from client services to operations. Someone needs to connect the dots, so it’s not just fragmented experiments happening in silos.
- Translating AI potential into a clear business strategy – Not just what AI can do, but what it should do to drive real value for the firm.
- Laying down the foundations for security, risk, and governance – The less glamorous side of AI, but non-negotiable. Responsible AI isn’t just about avoiding pitfalls—it’s about setting the firm up for sustainable success.
- Creating a structure for continuous experimentation and learning – AI isn’t static. The best firms are running controlled experiments, testing real applications, and building feedback loops to learn and adapt.
Do You Have an AI Leader in Your Firm?
AI leadership is still a moving target, and different firms are taking different approaches. Some are appointing dedicated AI leaders. Others are integrating AI into existing leadership roles. There’s no single right answer—but having no clear AI leadership isn’t one of them.
