Digital Futures for Accountants

Abstract

ABSTRACT Digital innovations are disrupting the accounting profession, and this disruption is likely to increase. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications, blockchain, and decision support technologies are moving beyond the “hype” stage to adoption in the accounting profession. Although accountants are gaining a greater understanding of the potential of these technologies, there is limited consensus on using these new capabilities in the accounting domain and how they are likely to impact the profession. This study investigates the potential impact of emerging technologies on the accountant’s role. A review of six relevant international accounting journals was conducted, focusing on keywords relating to these emerging technologies and articles published between 2011 and 2020. The articles examined are used to understand what the digital future looks like for the accounting profession. The article considers how the accounting profession needs to transform to utilize these technologies and how accountants can play an integral role in digital transformation.