With firms under increasing pressure to deliver faster insights and stronger strategic support, certified public accountants are turning to technology to meet rising expectations. Agentic AI, in particular, has emerged as a powerful way to move beyond simple automation by managing reconciliation, forecasting, document processing and even compliance monitoring with greater accuracy and speed.
As these intelligent systems become more integrated into accounting workflows, their potential to boost productivity and strengthen client value continues to grow. To illustrate how CPAs can put these tools to work, Forbes Finance Council members share their best strategies for using agentic AI to transform daily operations.
1. Unlocking Better Insights Through Automated Analysis
CPAs can leverage agentic AI to automate reconciliation, data entry and reporting while learning from patterns across systems. By flagging anomalies, forecasting trends and surfacing client insights, AI frees professionals to focus on judgment, strategy and advisory work—the parts of accounting that remain uniquely human. – Zoltan Pongracz, CFP, ChFC, CLU, AIF, Third View Private Wealth
2. Improving AI Results With Cleaner Data And Clear Context
Unlike static automations, agentic AI can process complex financial documents, reconcile data and classify transactions automatically, behaving like a staff accountant. To get the best results, simplify data models and document processes before AI implementations. LLMs do well with rich context and clear outputs. Review outputs and be ready to iterate; small context changes have big output differences. – Ben Garthwaite, Pegasus Insights
3. Using AI To Streamline And Align Complex Charts Of Accounts
We are currently using generative AI and will move to agentic AI to increase coding accuracy across our 50 business entities and continue streamlining our chart of accounts. As businesses expand, the chart of accounts naturally grows, but AI can help find commonality in what GLs exist, convert past data to the current structure and allow that streamlined chart of accounts to integrate across systems. – Janice Stucke, CREW Network
4. Building Daily AI Habits For Smarter Tax And Advisory Work
Start small but daily. Use AI agents to read source docs, draft memos, map transactions and build first pass tax plans so humans can focus on judgment, ethics and client advice. Treat AI like the next Excel upgrade for your firm, not a replacement for trusted advisors. – Dr. Jackie Meyer, TaxPlanIQ, The Concierge CPA
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5. Automating Repeatable Tasks To Reduce Manual Effort
At the individual level, AI can help CPAs draft emails and client correspondence. It can also assist with basic research that should always be validated with technical guidance. On a larger scale, agentic AI can learn to categorize and manage information in repeatable processes, reducing manual effort for CPAs so they can focus on more value-added activities for their clients. – Jamie Ellis, Katz, Sapper & Miller
6. Boosting Accuracy And Compliance With Intelligent Automation
CPAs can use agentic AI to automate bookkeeping, reconcile accounts, detect anomalies and generate financial reports. AI agents can forecast cash flow, streamline tax prep and ensure compliance through real-time checks. This shifts CPAs from manual work to strategic advisory, boosting accuracy, efficiency and client value. – Meelan Gupta, GeBBS Healthcare Solutions Inc.
7. Automating IRS Notice Processing With Tailored AI Tools
I am in the process of developing an AI agent for my firm to process IRS notices we receive for clients as their power of attorney. I have a spreadsheet with each IRS notice number in one column and then “what to do” for each notice in the next column. Ideally, my AI agent will go through our scanned IRS notices, compare each notice to the document and route them accordingly. – Logan Allec, Choice Tax Relief, Inc.
8. Strengthening Trust And Transparency Through Digital Documentation
Aside from automating tasks, it can create a digital trust infrastructure. By using AI to document CPAs’ thoughts and decisions, accountants increase trust and compliance. AI accelerates processes and provides real-time assurance by explaining decisions. In a world where clients expect speed and integrity, CPAs may institutionalize trust using AI, turning technology into a competitive advantage. – Neil Anders, Trusted Rate, Inc.
9. Integrating AI For Stronger Decision Support And Tax Insight
CPAs can use agentic AI to move beyond task automation into true decision support. Think AI that not only reconciles accounts but flags anomalies, preps draft memos or suggests tax optimization strategies. The key is integration—embedding these agents into existing workflows to reduce friction and free CPAs to focus on advisory roles rather than just compliance. – Alexander Ronzino, Rework Capital LLC
10. Scaling Productivity Through AI-Driven Task Support
Agentic AI can act as a proactive teammate, initiating tasks like drafting client reports, monitoring compliance changes or surfacing trends across reports. It can help save time with repetitive tasks. It’s not just about automation; it’s about giving CPAs more bandwidth to lead, advise and innovate at the pace modern clients expect. – Bob Chitrathorn, Wealth Planning By Bob Chitrathorn
11. Relying On AI As A Financial Co-Pilot For Deeper Analysis
CPAs can use agentic AI as an autonomous analyst—one that reconciles data across systems, drafts audit trails and runs real-time scenario models. Instead of replacing accountants, AI becomes a proactive financial co-pilot, surfacing anomalies, optimizing tax strategies and freeing professionals to focus on judgment, strategy and client trust. – Alexandra Vidyuk, Beyond Earth Ventures
12. Coordinating Daily Tasks Through Unified AI Workflows
CPAs can use agentic AI to bring all the moving parts of their workflow together. An intelligent system can review bills, schedule payments, reconcile entries and catch issues before they escalate. It learns how you operate, adapts to each client and keeps everything running smoothly while you focus on what drives real value. – Nick Chandi, Forwardly
13. Turning Routine Compliance Checks Into Strategic Guidance
CPAs can use agentic AI as a digital partner that anticipates needs—gathering data, drafting summaries and flagging issues before they surface. When AI manages the routine, accountants can focus on interpretation and client strategy, transforming compliance work into proactive financial guidance. – Michael Foguth, Foguth Financial Group
14. Leveraging AI Research Assistants For Complex Tax Questions
Smart firms are creating AI agents that act as specialized research assistants for complex tax scenarios. Rather than manually searching through tax code updates and interpretations, CPAs can delegate research to AI that monitors regulatory changes, analyzes relevant case law and prepares preliminary memos. The CPA reviews and refines, but the heavy lifting of information gathering is automatic. – Gary Allen, LeanLaw
The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
