Watching the Change from My Desk
As an accountant working in Africa, I often find myself reading headlines from Europe, the U.S., and Asia about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession. Sometimes, it feels like these conversations are happening in a different world—one where the internet is always fast, software is always up to date, and firms have deep pockets to spend on every new innovation. But even from my modest office in Accra, Nairobi, or Lagos, the shift is impossible to ignore.
The marketing slogans are everywhere now: “AI won’t replace accountants, but accountants using AI will.” It’s catchy. But it also makes me stop and think—what exactly does this mean for someone like me, dealing with tax compliance, manual ledgers, SME clients, and unstable power supplies? It’s clear that something big is changing. The question is: how fast will it reach us, and what do we do when it does?
The Language Is Evolving
When I began my career, accounting software was pitched with one core promise—simplicity. Tools like Sage and QuickBooks were marketed as ways to help us calculate, reconcile, and report with fewer errors. These systems were “built for accountants, by accountants.” It felt like they understood our challenges.
Today, the tone is very different. AI startups are promoting ideas like “virtual employees” and the automation of “80% of professional service work.” I recently read about a Belgian company, Ravical, receiving millions of euros in investment to do exactly that. Their goal is to build domain-trained AI agents that can take over accounting tasks altogether.
It struck me that the language is no longer speaking to us as professionals. It’s speaking to investors, technologists, and private equity firms. It no longer feels like the tools are being designed with my practice or my local clients in mind.
Local Realities: Tech Promises Meet Ground Truths
In many African countries, the accounting landscape is complex and deeply human. While large firms may be exploring automation and cloud-based systems, small- and medium-sized practices—which make up the majority—are still dealing with late-paying clients, paper receipts, and unreliable systems.
The promise of AI sounds great in theory. Who wouldn’t want an intelligent system to handle data entry, financial analysis, or monthly reports? But let’s be honest—AI adoption here faces real challenges. Many of our clients don’t use accounting software at all. They run their businesses through WhatsApp, cash transactions, and handwritten invoices. They need someone who understands their world, their markets, and their day-to-day chaos. Right now, only a human accountant can do that effectively.
Still, that doesn’t mean we can ignore AI altogether. It’s reaching our continent through global software updates, mobile apps, and new fintech platforms. Little by little, it’s entering our workspaces—even if we’re not yet fully aware of its implications.
The Buzz Around “Virtual Employees”
This idea of “virtual employees” makes me uneasy. Not because I’m afraid of being replaced, but because it reduces accounting to just a set of tasks. Our work isn’t only about math or documents—it’s about relationships, judgment, and trust. Clients come to us not just to file taxes or generate reports. They come for advice, reassurance, and perspective. AI doesn’t yet understand the cultural nuances, business realities, or unspoken needs that define many African business environments.
But I’m also aware that things are changing. We already use tools that automatically categorize expenses or suggest invoice formats. These may seem small, but they’re the building blocks of more advanced systems. If AI continues to improve, it may eventually handle more complex processes—and some accountants will be left behind if they don’t adapt.
So, instead of fearing virtual employees, maybe we need to reframe the conversation: how do we become managers of these systems rather than victims of them?
Practicality Over Hype
What really concerns me is the hype. Every year, new tools promise to revolutionize accounting. Most of them never arrive here, or they do in a limited way. Some firms invest heavily in systems that never quite deliver. It reminds me of when cloud software was first introduced—we were told it would change everything, but even now, many firms still rely on Excel and desktop tools.
AI may feel like another buzzword, but I suspect this time it’s different. Unlike earlier tools that simply digitized our work, AI is beginning to think—or at least mimic thinking. That’s a much bigger deal. It’s also the reason we can’t afford to dismiss it as just another trend.
The real question isn’t whether AI will affect our work, but how we will make it work for us—on our terms, in our contexts, and within the realities of African businesses.
Local Potential and Global Pressure
There’s no doubt that global trends eventually shape what happens here. Multinational companies operating in Africa are already demanding more automated reports, real-time dashboards, and integrated compliance. These expectations trickle down to local firms, pushing us to upgrade our systems and workflows.
But AI also offers opportunities. It can help us scale our services, reduce repetitive work, and reach remote clients. In a continent with vast distances and underserved regions, automation and remote tools can be powerful. The key is ensuring that these tools are accessible, affordable, and localized—because what works in Amsterdam or London won’t automatically work in Kumasi or Lusaka.
Looking Ahead: Prepare, Don’t Panic
As an accountant in Africa, I see both threat and promise in the rise of AI. Yes, it might take over some of the tasks we currently perform. But it can also give us more time for value-added services, mentorship, and community impact—areas where machines cannot compete.
What we need is a balanced approach. We must stay curious about new technologies while staying grounded in our unique environments. That means learning how AI works, testing tools when possible, and pushing for systems that reflect our needs—not just those of Silicon Valley or Brussels.
We should also engage our clients in this conversation. If they understand how AI can support our work, they’re more likely to trust the tools we introduce. Education will be a key part of this transition—for both practitioners and the people we serve.
Conclusion: The Future Belongs to the Adaptable
AI is no longer a distant concept—it’s part of our future whether we like it or not. But as an African accountant, I believe we still have agency. We can shape how AI enters our profession. We can demand systems that work for our clients, cultures, and communities. We can use technology not to replace ourselves, but to deepen our value.
Let the slogans come and go. What matters is how we respond—with resilience, relevance, and readiness. The future doesn’t belong to AI. It belongs to those who know how to use it wisely.