Chartered Accountants Ireland said it rejects the narrative that accountants will be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).
In a new report on the future of AI and accountancy, the association highlights that the profession is evolving alongside the technology.
According to the position paper, accountants will take a leading role in implementing AI within finance functions, ensuring systems are deployed responsibly, controls are robust, and outputs can be trusted.
The report points to the fact that accountants are already using AI across audit, reporting and advisory services.
"There is a common belief that AI will replace accountants, but the evidence simply doesn't support that," said Rosemary Keogh, CEO of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
"It reflects a misunderstanding of what modern accountants actually do. AI is automating routine, rules-based work and most accountants welcome that," she said.
"It frees them up to focus on higher-value roles like strategy, risk and decision making," Ms Keogh added.
Chartered Accountants Ireland has also called on Government to invest in AI-ready infrastructure, strengthen supports for SME adoption and embed AI skills and literacy across the education system.
