As the accounting profession navigates a seismic shift toward automation and artificial intelligence, one thing is clear: AI has moved beyond an emerging idea and is a present-day imperative for firms.
But what do tax professionals really think about AI and automation?
AI and automation are transforming every corner of accounting, but tax professionals face some of the most immediate pressure. In a recent BDO Alliance webinar hosted by Aiwyn and featuring top voices in tax and innovation, we asked 100+ attendees to weigh in on where they stand today. The responses revealed both momentum and hesitation across firms.
Here’s what we learned and what it means for the future of AI and automation for tax professionals.
Q: How are firms currently approaching AI in tax services?
The majority of tax professionals agree that AI and automation are not just passing trends and they’re actually critical tools for staying competitive. However, adoption is still uneven across the industry. When asked about their firm’s current use of AI for tax work:
- 53% said they were evaluating use cases but not yet implementing.
- Only 16% had fully operationalized AI within their tax workflows.
These numbers reinforce a clear takeaway that most firms are still in the exploratory phase, yet the pressure to innovate is rising fast. For firms to lead, they’ll need to move from exploration to execution. That starts by identifying low-risk, high-impact use cases for AI that improve client outcomes and boost staff productivity.
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Aiwyn provides AI-powered tools tailored to the needs of modern accounting firms including automated data collection and tax engagement workflows, so firms can confidently scale innovation in a way that’s purpose-built for their profession.
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Q: What barriers are tax professionals facing when it comes to AI?
Surprisingly, the biggest obstacle related to AI isn’t skepticism, it’s clarity. When we asked firms about their biggest challenges with AI adoption, 48% said they struggle to define viable use cases. Another 14% cited change management, and 11% mentioned difficulty in proving ROI. These results highlight that while interest in AI is strong, practical execution remains elusive.
Many tax professionals are eager to use AI and automation, but struggle with questions like:
- Where should we start?
- What can we automate safely?
- How do we upskill our teams to use these tools effectively?
To bridge this gap, firms need access to change management strategies, practical training, and vendor support. If you want to get a head start, explore our guide on change management for accounting firms.
Q: What impact is AI having on the client experience in tax?
Many professionals still view AI and automation as internal tools for streamlining processes, but that perspective is quickly evolving. Increasingly, AI is being recognized for its ability to enhance the client experience in tax versus only being a tool for back-office operations and non-billable team members.
During the webinar, we discussed how automation can:
- Reduce turnaround time for tax engagements
- Provide proactive insights based on return data
- Minimize client follow-ups and manual document collection
According to the survey, 21% of firms are already prioritizing client satisfaction as a top outcome of AI adoption, showing that this isn’t just theoretical. Tax professionals are beginning to realize that delivering a better client experience is not just a byproduct of efficiency, but a strategic differentiator.
Q: What’s next for firms looking to scale AI in tax services?
The poll results indicate that most firms are still early in their journey:
- 79% report being in the experimentation or partial automation phase
- 13% actively using AI tools
- Only 9% have automation across workflows
This measured pace of adoption reflects a practical reality. Firms are prioritizing use cases that are easier to implement but still yield meaningful impact. In our poll, firms most commonly cited tax document intake and categorization, workflow automation across returns, and data analysis for advisory opportunities as top focus areas.
These functions offer the dual benefits of efficiency and strategic insight without requiring a full-scale transformation on day one.
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48% of firms say finding the right use cases is the biggest challenge, while 14% cite change management as a hurdle. These roadblocks highlight the need for a strategic, structured path forward, especially in a profession where precision and client trust are non-negotiable.
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The opportunity is bigger than efficiency
AI and automation are redefining the way tax professionals deliver value – not by replacing human expertise, but by unlocking it. As routine tasks like data intake, document categorization, and workflow management become increasingly automated, professionals are freed up to focus on the higher-level thinking their clients actually need: interpretation, strategy, and insight. While the work is getting done faster, it’s more about changing the nature of the work entirely. The firms that lean into this evolution are elevating the role of the tax professional within the client relationship.
To learn more about how you can use AI and automation in your tax workflows, reach out to us today and schedule a 1:1 demo with one of our accounting experts.
