The ultimate guide to emerging accounting technologies

Introduction:

Accounting firms are rapidly embracing new technologies to meet growing client expectations and remain competitive. According to Sage’s Practice of Now report, 83 percent of accountants say their clients now want more than accurate books—they expect real-time insights, faster communication, and proactive advice.

This shift is being driven by tools such as artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, automation, and data-driven reporting. These systems are helping firms improve efficiency, reduce manual errors, and focus more on delivering meaningful results for their clients.

In this blog, you will find the list of top accounting technologies shaping the industry, along with tips on how to start using them effectively in your firm.

Accounting technologies every firm should embrace in 2025

Here are a few tips to integrate your most desired accounting technology into your firm. They could help you save up to 70% of your time and significantly reduce avoidable errors.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning:

AI is currently one of the most widely discussed topics in accounting and beyond. It is used by firms to improve forecasting, risk analysis, and client planning. Alongside Machine Learning, AI can process large volumes of data, identify patterns, and support faster, more confident decision-making.

You can use AI-powered audit tools to review every transaction in a ledger and flag items that require attention. In tax, machine learning can help simulate possible outcomes based on past cases. These technologies do not replace your expertise but enhance your ability to deliver timely, well-informed advice.

Getting started does not require an overhaul. Small changes can lead to big improvements.

Tips to start using AI and ML in your firm:

• Use forecasting tools like Fathom or Calxa to model revenue, cash flow, and budgeting scenarios. These tools help clients make informed decisions by visualising different financial outcomes.
• Apply audit software such as MindBridge or CaseWare, which offer AI features that scan entire transaction sets. These tools help detect anomalies, flag inconsistencies, and support a more data-driven audit approach.
• Try AI-powered writing assistants like ChatGPT or Notion AI to draft reports, create internal documentation, or prepare client summaries. These tools reduce time spent on routine writing and improve consistency across communications.
• Start with targeted use of AI in one part of your workflow, such as report generation or transaction review. Tools like Dext Precision or XBert are good starting points for improving accuracy and saving time.

Cloud computing:

Cloud computing has transformed how accounting firms access, manage, and share clients' accounting records. Instead of being tied to a single office or desktop, cloud systems allow you to work securely from anywhere while collaborating with team members and clients in real time.

The shift is already well underway. According to the CPA Firm Management Association’s 2024 IT Survey, 65 percent of accounting firms are using external cloud providers to reduce accounting costs, automate workflows, and increase operational flexibility.

Cloud-based platforms also integrate with tools for tax, payroll, reporting, and more, reducing the need for manual data entry and helping firms respond faster to client needs.

Tips to get started with cloud technology in your firm:

• Select a cloud-based accounting platform such as Xero or QuickBooks Online. Completing the official training helps improve your skills and prepares you to use the system more effectively.
• Install additional apps that handle specific tasks like processing payroll, tracking business expenses, or generating performance reports. Make sure these apps integrate well with your accounting platform.
• Use cloud tax software to manage tax returns and support ongoing planning throughout the year. This can help reduce time spent on compliance work and improve accuracy.
• Learn how different tools in your system are connected. Using integrations ensures that data flows between apps without needing to be entered more than once.

Blockchain technology:

Blockchain is a secure way to record financial transactions. Each entry is time-stamped, verified, and permanently stored in a shared digital ledger. Once added, no one can change or delete the information. This increases trust and reduces errors in financial records.

In accounting, blockchain creates a single source of truth. When transactions are recorded, they are instantly available to all systems connected to the ledger. This removes the need for reconciliations and prevents duplicate data. It also helps you deliver faster and more accurate reports to your clients.

Blockchain improves how data flows between systems and supports automation across the entire accounting process.

Tips to start preparing your firm for blockchain technology:

• Learn the basics of how blockchain records and protects data. Focus on how it ensures accuracy, prevents changes, and creates a secure chain of verified transactions.
• Explore blockchain-based apps that support tasks like billing, automated payments, and live reporting. These tools show how transactional data can be recorded and confirmed instantly.
• Follow updates from platforms such as Xero and QuickBooks as they begin to connect with blockchain tools. Understanding these integrations helps you stay aligned with future developments.
• Strengthen your advisory services to support clients who rely on automated processes. A deeper understanding of blockchain allows you to offer more strategic guidance as technology evolves.

Mobile accounting software:

Being tied to a desk limits how quickly you can respond, complete tasks, and support your clients. When you are away from the office, these limitations can slow down your workflow and create delays.

Mobile accounting software gives you the ability to manage core tasks from your phone or tablet. You can check transactions, send invoices, track expenses, and monitor cash flow while working remotely.

Tips to use mobile tools effectively:

• Select cloud accounting software that runs smoothly on smartphones and tablets. This ensures reliable performance when working outside the office.
• Use receipt scanning apps to record expenses the moment they are received. This reduces paperwork and keeps records up to date.
• Store client documents in secure cloud folders that are easy to open and manage on mobile. Tools like Google Drive or Dropbox are ideal for this.
• Design workflows that can be completed entirely from a mobile device. This helps your team stay productive while travelling or working remotely.

Big data in accounting:

Basic reports often miss patterns and early warning signs. Big data solves this by collecting large volumes of information from sources like client activity, business operations, website behaviour, and market trends. Instead of relying on limited inputs, you can work with a broader picture.

The real value of big data comes from how it is applied. It helps you move from reacting after a problem to anticipating what may come next. By analyzing patterns, you can make more informed decisions, reduce errors, and support long-term planning.

You can use big data to tailor your services, improve forecasting accuracy, reduce risk, and provide more timely reporting.

Tips to start using big data in your firm:

• Use reporting tools that combine data from multiple systems into a single, easy-to-read view.
• Build dashboards that highlight trends in areas like cash flow, client behaviour, or project timelines.
• Analyse past activity to model possible outcomes and create forward-looking plans.
• Train your team to read data reports closely and take early action when patterns shift.

Optical Character Recognition:

Optical Character Recognition, or OCR, reads and converts information from receipts, invoices, and other documents into digital formats. It identifies key details such as dates, amounts, and supplier names, and transfers them directly into your accounting software.

This process helps manage receipts, bills, and expense claims more efficiently. OCR is also useful for keeping records organised and easy to search, which supports better reporting and review.

Popular tools with built-in OCR features can simplify how documents are captured and sorted in daily workflows.

Tips to start using OCR in your firm:

• Use tools like Dext or AutoEntry to extract data from scanned receipts and invoices.
• Connect OCR apps to Xero, QuickBooks Online, or other cloud platforms to sync records automatically.
• Set up a paperless system so documents are scanned, categorised, and stored digitally.
• Review scanned data regularly to ensure accuracy and correct any issues as they appear.

Ending note

Hope you found this blog useful as you explore new ways to bring the right technology into your firm. The tools you choose today will influence how efficiently you work, how accurate your reporting is, and how well you serve your clients.

If managing everything in-house feels overwhelming, from meeting deadlines to keeping up with new systems, it might be time to consider a better way forward.

At AccountGlobal, we support firms like yours with dedicated offshore accounting teams who work as an extension of your practice. We help reduce the operational load, improve accuracy, and free up your time for higher-value work.

We are ISO 27001 certified, so you can trust that your client’s data is handled with the highest level of security and confidentiality. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help your firm grow with less stress.