Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping the accounting profession, putting pressure on firms to move beyond routine financial reporting and auditing towards services that help businesses create value, improve profitability and make better investment decisions.
Dr David Ofosu-Dorte, Executive Chairman of AB & David Law, said accountants who failed to adapt to technological changes risked losing their relevance as businesses increasingly relied on digital tools to manage financial information and make strategic decisions.
He made the remarks at the 2026 Practice Management Conference organised by the Practice Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), in Accra.
The three-day conference, held on the theme “Professional Excellence in the Digital Age: Strengthening Capacity, Credibility, and Client Confidence,” examined how practitioners could strengthen their capacity and remain competitive amid technological disruption.
Dr Ofosu-Dorte cautioned that the accounting profession could not assume its current structure and practices would remain relevant as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital currencies continued to transform professional services.
He said accountants needed to anticipate technological changes and respond to evolving client needs rather than rely solely on traditional qualifications and established methods of practice.
He urged practitioners to reposition themselves as strategic business advisers who could forecast performance, identify commercial opportunities and help companies improve profitability.
According to him, businesses increasingly require professionals who can interpret financial data, identify emerging sources of value and provide advice that supports wealth creation.
Dr Ofosu-Dorte cited digital assets, cryptocurrencies, tokens, domain names, software and data as emerging areas requiring accounting expertise, particularly in valuation and financial reporting.
He called on ICAG and its Practice Society to establish a task force to assess the future of the profession and develop strategies to prepare practitioners for technological disruption.
He also stressed that professional credibility would remain essential, urging accountants to uphold independence, integrity, ethical conduct and continuous professional development.
He said the quality of accounting services should be measured by the value delivered to clients rather than compliance with established procedures alone.
“Trust is earned. It cannot be demanded,” he said.
Dr Ofosu-Dorte predicted that professional qualifications could become less decisive in distinguishing practitioners as clients placed greater emphasis on problem-solving abilities and measurable business outcomes.
He said automation could reduce the need for human involvement in routine accounting tasks, making innovation and the ability to deliver value increasingly important to the competitiveness of accounting firms.
In a speech read on his behalf, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, Chief Executive Officer of ICAG, cautioned practitioners against relying on AI-generated information without independently verifying its accuracy.
He said although AI could produce answers quickly, it could not assume professional responsibility for errors arising from its use.
“If a practitioner accepts an AI analysis without checking its sources, and it is wrong, the client will not blame the software. The practitioner will ultimately be accountable,” he said.
Dr Robert Donaldy, Chairman of the ICAG Practice Society, said responsible adoption of technology could improve service delivery while preserving the credibility and public trust underpinning the profession.
He urged practitioners to assess whether AI tools added value to their work before incorporating them into their professional processes.
He expressed hope that the conference would encourage participants to adopt new mindsets and approaches to ensure the accounting profession remained effective and competitive in the digital age.
