Intelligent technologies and the future of accountancy

Abstract

Subject. Gaining momentum and influencing accounting processes, modern information technologies make people think that accountancy will soon cease to exist as a profession. Accountancy undergoes deep transformation processes as digital intellectual technologies develop and get integrated into accounting practices. Objectives. We review the general trend in the development of accounting in the nearest future as innovative methods of accounting spread and digital and communication technologies are integrated into business practices. Methods. The study is based on logic methods of research, systems analysis and synthesis. Results. The article investigates the main tendency of changes that happen in accountancy, which rests on three IT pillars, i.e. Big Data, data analysis and artificial intelligence. Each of them reshapes accounting approaches and methods. Summarizing the general intellectual trend, we conclude that it is erroneous to think that the accounting profession is fading away. It is necessary to more diligently analyze and evaluate the impact of modern intellectual systems on the future of accountancy. Conclusions and Relevance. We disclose global trends in the development of digital intellectual technologies in accounting to spotlight the common line in accountancy. The issue of accountancy as a disappearing profession should be reformulated to determine how professional competencies should be transformed to meet the new reality of the digital future.