![\"(Photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2187811683-1-e1757592755940.jpg\")
\t\tAccountants are still in high demand despite AI changing the model\t<\/p>\n\t\t\tFriday 22 May 2026 11:01 am
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0Updated:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\tFriday 22 May 2026 11:02 am\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\tAccountants are still in high demand despite AI changing the model\t<\/p>\n
Accountants in the UK are still in high demand despite the impact of AI on the sector, according to new research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The body<\/a>, which regulates and supervises around 12,000 accountancy and audit firms in the country, said that accountants \u201care still in high demand\u201d even as AI reshapes the sector, particularly by automating administrative tasks.<\/p>\n The accountancy profession in the UK is undergoing a major shift<\/a>. While AI is changing the nature of the work, overall demand for accountants remains high, but company needs, and the nature of the work are evolving, the ICAEW has found.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of the 35 mid-tier firms surveyed, represented by managing partners and chief executives, 74 per cent said they expect to increase hiring, but only for people with specific expertise, including data analytics, technology, regulation and sustainability.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nearly 70 per cent of firms also felt that the technology may reduce some demand for early-career accountants, but 83 per cent agreed it wouldn\u2019t directly create fewer roles overall.<\/p>\n \u201cDemand for accountants remains high, but the nature of early-career accounting roles is expected to change as technology absorbs routine work, creating both opportunity and tension,\u201d Alan Vallance, chief executive at the ICAEW, said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vallance said the research shows traditional accounting career paths \u201care giving way to more specialist, modular and technology-enabled structures\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just over 70 per cent of firms said AI would actually make their services more valuable and \u201callow them to move up the value chain\u201d in the market, rather than causing the profession to decline. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n \t\t\tRecord \u00a34bn revenue for accountancy firms \u2018may reinforce\u2019 hawkish rate outlook\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBut while these changes bring about opportunity, the profession finds itself at a critical juncture. The impact of AI undoubtedly presents its challenges, but the talent picture is more one of transition than constraint,\u201d Vallance said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge now will focus upon how tech can be integrated at pace but responsibly, and how talent can be developed and retained at a time when roles, skills and career pathways are evolving quickly,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n This follows the sector hitting a <\/a>record \u00a34bn<\/a>\u00a0in monthly revenue in March this year, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.<\/p>\n Fresh grads less favourable hires\u00a0<\/p>\n Alongside technology changing the shape of entry-level roles, accountancy firms are also making different decisions about who they recruit for entry-level jobs, with many swapping out university graduates for younger school leavers.\u00a0<\/p>\n The data showed that 40 per cent of firms said they are predicting a cutback on hiring university graduates, but to make up for that loss, they are increasing their hiring of 18-year-old school leavers by nearly 50 per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is due to the impact of\u00a0new employment laws<\/a>, increases in employers\u2019 national insurance contributions, and cuts to apprenticeship funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n