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The Full Impact of Chat GPT and AI in Accounting
Episode 2811th January 2023 • Accounting Talent Podcast • Rob Brown (Accounting Influencers Roundtable - AIR)
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It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, usually going out every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. However, in Jan 2023 we are phasing out this show and putting out this content on our sister Success in Accounting Show which hopefully you're already subscribed to.

In today's episode 28, "The Full Impact of Chat GPT and AI in Accounting"

Here is the transcript for this show, generated by Chat GPT with some smart AI prompting questions:

Hello, and welcome to the podcast. In this episode, we will

be discussing the impact of Chat GPT, or Generative Pre-training Transformer,

on the world of accountants and CPAs.

First, let's define Chat GPT. It's a machine learning model

developed by OpenAI that is able to generate human-like text and can be used to

assist accountants and CPAs in a variety of tasks.

But how did Chat GPT come about, and why is it making waves

in so many industries?

Chat GPT was developed by OpenAI, a leading artificial

intelligence research lab, as a way to improve natural language processing. It

builds upon the concept of pre-training, which involves training a model on a

large dataset to recognize patterns and relationships in language. By

pre-training a model on a massive amount of text data, it can then be

fine-tuned for specific tasks, such as translation or language generation.

The development of Chat GPT marked a significant step

forward in the field of natural language processing and has led to its

widespread adoption in a variety of industries.

Now, let's dive into how Chat GPT can help accountants and

CPAs.


One way it can assist is by generating reports and

documents. Imagine having to create a financial report for a client. This can

be a time-consuming and tedious task, but with Chat GPT, you can simply input

the necessary data and let the model do the rest. It will generate a

professional, accurate report in a fraction of the time it would take a human.

Another way Chat GPT can be useful is by providing data

analysis. It can be trained to analyze financial data and provide insights and

recommendations based on that analysis. This can be especially helpful for

accountants and CPAs who are looking to make informed decisions for their

clients.

Chat GPT can also be used to automate routine tasks, such as

data entry and reconciliation. This can free up time for accountants and CPAs

to focus on more complex tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.


Finally, Chat GPT can even be used to provide customer

service. It can handle basic customer inquiries and provide information to

clients, allowing accountants and CPAs to focus on more complex tasks.


So, as you can see, Chat GPT has the potential to

significantly streamline processes and improve efficiency for accountants and

CPAs. But what about the potential drawbacks?


Some disadvantages of using Chat GPT include the initial

setup and training, which can be time-consuming and costly. Additionally, Chat

GPT is still limited in its capabilities and may not be able to handle more

complex tasks. Finally, using Chat GPT may create a reliance on technology, and

if there are issues with the system, it could disrupt work and cause delays.

Now, let's take a look at some statistics to give you an

idea of the potential impact Chat GPT could have on your practice and your

clients:


According to a recent survey, over 70% of accountants and

CPAs believe that machine learning will significantly change the way they do

business in the next 5 years.


Another study found that the use of artificial intelligence

in accounting could save up to 400 million hours of manual data entry per year.


One company that implemented Chat GPT saw a 25% increase in

productivity and a 10% reduction in errors.


These statistics show that Chat GPT has the potential to

significantly impact the world of accountants and CPAs, streamlining processes

and improving efficiency.


But it's not just the accounting industry that is being

impacted by Chat GPT. In the healthcare field, Chat GPT has been used to

analyze electronic medical records and provide recommendations for treatment.

In the legal industry, it has been used to generate contracts and legal

documents. And in the customer service industry, Chat GPT has been used to

handle basic customer inquiries and provide information.

You should already be seeing that Chat GPT has the potential

to significantly streamline processes and improve efficiency for accountants

and CPAs. However, it's natural for professionals to have concerns about the

potential impact of new technology on their jobs.

One fear that many accountants and CPAs may have is the

possibility of Chat GPT replacing them and making them less relevant as

professionals. However, it's important to keep in mind that Chat GPT is

designed to assist and augment the work of accountants and CPAs, not replace

them.

While Chat GPT can automate routine tasks and provide data

analysis, it is still limited in its capabilities and cannot fully replace the

expertise and judgement of a trained professional. Accountants and CPAs bring

valuable knowledge and skills to the table that cannot be replaced by a

machine.

In fact, the use of Chat GPT can actually help accountants

and CPAs demonstrate their value to clients by providing faster turnaround

times, improved accuracy, and valuable insights and recommendations.


Another way that Chat GPT can impact the world of

accountants and CPAs is through its ability to help firms attract and retain

top talent. With the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in the

accounting industry, firms that are able to effectively utilize Chat GPT and

other AI tools will be more attractive to job seekers who are looking for

opportunities to work with the latest technology.

Furthermore, Chat GPT can help firms remain competitive in a

rapidly evolving industry. By streamlining processes and improving efficiency,

firms that use Chat GPT can offer better value to their clients, which can help

them stand out in a crowded market.

Finally, Chat GPT can be particularly beneficial for

engaging the younger generation of employees, who are often referred to as

"technology natives." These employees are accustomed to using

technology in their personal and professional lives and may be more open to the

adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools in the workplace. By embracing these

technologies, firms can appeal to this younger generation and potentially

retain top talent.

In addition to attracting and retaining top talent, the

adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools can also make accounting firms more

profitable and attractive to potential buyers, such as private equity or

venture capital firms. By streamlining processes and improving efficiency,

firms that use these technologies can reduce costs and increase profitability,

making them more attractive to potential investors.

Furthermore, the use of Chat GPT and other AI tools can also

position firms for success in the M&A market. By demonstrating their

commitment to innovation and the use of advanced technologies, firms can

attract the interest of potential buyers and position themselves for success in

a potential merger or acquisition.

Alternatively, the adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools

can also help firms strengthen their brand and maintain their independence. By

positioning themselves as leaders in the industry and demonstrating their

commitment to innovation, firms can resist being bought and maintain their

independence.

Let's consider for a moment how Chat GPT will impact the

fintech industry and the software companies that serve the accounting industry.

As accountants and CPAs become more reliant on technology and AI tools, they

may be more likely to turn to software providers that offer products that

incorporate Chat GPT and other advanced technologies.

We are already seeing the development of new financial

software and tools that utilize the technology. As Chat GPT becomes more widely

adopted in the accounting industry, it's likely that we will see a

proliferation of fintech companies offering products that incorporate the

technology.

These products may include financial analysis software,

automated tax preparation tools, and even chatbots that can handle basic

customer inquiries. The use of Chat GPT in these products can improve

efficiency and streamline processes for accountants and CPAs, making their jobs

easier and more efficient.

This shift towards the adoption of Chat GPT and other AI

tools may also lead to changes in the pricing and business models of these

software companies. As the demand for advanced technology increases, companies

may need to adapt their pricing structures to meet the needs of their customers.

Overall, the impact of Chat GPT on the fintech industry and

software companies that serve the accounting industry is likely to be

significant. As the technology becomes more widely adopted, we can expect to

see a proliferation of new products and changes in business models as companies

seek to meet the demand for advanced technology.

In conclusion, Chat GPT and other AI tools have the

potential to significantly impact the world of accountants and CPAs by

streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and attracting and retaining top

talent. While there may be some initial concerns about the impact of these

technologies, it's important to remember that they are designed to assist and

augment the work of trained professionals, not replace them.

In the rapidly evolving world of accounting, it's crucial to

stay up-to-date with new technologies and be aware of the potential impact on

your job. But it's also essential to remember the value that you bring as a

trained professional.

We hope this discussion of Chat GPT and its potential impact

on the world of accountants and CPAs has been informative and enlightening.

Thank you for tuning in to the podcast.


Be sure to subscribe to the Success in Accounting podcast

going out every Monday - this will soon revert back to its old name Accounting

Influencers Podcast.


Main show website. For access to every single show with full

shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast


For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you

can build your network and offer feedback on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers


For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video

content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Main show website. For access to every single show with full

shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you

can build your network and offer feedback on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video

content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencers

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more. With over a thousand listeners, we appreciate your support and encourage you to share the show. If you know potential guests with valuable insights on talent, please contact me on LinkedIn. We're also seeking sponsors interested in talent and the accounting finance space. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand and share key messages. Subscribe to our main show, Accounting Influencers, for brilliant interviews with top leaders and influencers in accounting and FinTech. Join our community for virtual speed networking sessions every two months, connecting accounting, finance, and tech professionals worldwide. Please register for our next event at accountinginfluencers.com. Stay competitive, relevant, and informed about all things talent in Accounting with us!

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