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Cornerstone

Outlook 2026: Agentic AI Reaches the Tipping Point in Tax and Accounting Firms

AI-powered firms are closing books faster, reallocating staff time to higher-value work, and widening the competitive gap with slower adopters.

By CPA Trendlines Research
Cornerstone Report

As artificial intelligence transitions from a buzzword to a business imperative, CPA firms across the U.S. are quietly beginning to deploy generative AI assistants, machine learning tools, and “agentic” AI platforms to automate audits, prepare taxes, and provide financial insights.

With the astonishing surge in AI adoption, firm leaders say we’ve reached a tipping point where those not investing in AI risk being left behind.

MORE CPA Trendlines Cornerstone Reports

In this Cornerstone Report, accounting firms show how they are leveraging AI to transform their operations, the benefits and challenges they are encountering, and what it all means for the future of the profession, including:

  • Why AI adoption in CPA firms has hit a tipping point
  • How agentic AI is transforming tax, audit, and advisory work
  • The real productivity, ROI, and revenue gains firms are reporting
  • What AI means for staffing, skills, and firm economics
  • The risks, governance challenges, and regulatory implications ahead
  • How firm leaders can deploy AI without falling behind

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ACCOUNTING INFLUENCERS

How to Outsmart the Big Four on AI | Accounting Voices

Agility, transparency, and judgment matter more than billion-dollar platforms.

Sponsored by The Balanced Millionaire: The Advisor Edition by Dr. Jackie Meyer | See Today’s Special Offer

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Build a 7-figure firm in just 4 hours a week!

Accounting Voices
With Rob Brown

The Big Four are spending billions on artificial intelligence, cutting thousands of jobs, and reshaping how accounting work gets done. That scale can feel intimidating—especially if you’re running or working inside a small or mid-tier firm.

But here’s the counterintuitive truth explored in a recent episode of Accounting Voices:
The Big Four aren’t winning because of their budgets. They’re winning because of their discipline.

This episode breaks down what smaller firms and ambitious professionals can borrow from the AI strategies of PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, and EY—without trying to copy their scale.

The lesson is clear: clarity beats capability, and governance beats gadgets.

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GROWTH STRATEGIES

How Your Tech Stack Fuels Your Growth

Key components and how to optimize them.

By Jackie Meyer

We have discussed how solid systems and processes can streamline your operations and boost efficiency. Now, it’s time to delve into the specific technologies and software that can truly transform your advisory practice and propel your growth. We’re going to talk about building your tech stack – the collection of tools that work together to support and automate your workflows.

MORE by Jackie Meyer
GoProCPA.comExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.

 

Embracing the right technology can elevate your one-person or small firm into a powerhouse that feels much larger. When done right, tech removes drudgery, reduces errors and creates a client experience that’s smooth and modern. On the flip side, ignoring tech or using outdated tools can hold you back, limit your growth and eat away at your time. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen!
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CLIENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Process Is Key to Remote Work

Woman leading meeting, flipchart in background

Your team and your clients both win.

By Jody Grunden
Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud

With the right people in place, empowered to work independently, and proper access to the tools that are necessary to get the work done, process comes next.

MORE by Jody Grunden
GoProCPA.comExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.

Creating process is important in any business if you want to scale, but it is imperative when it comes to remote work. Process helps streamline things, reduces confusion and makes your team more efficient and productive.
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Gear Up for Growth

Kepczyk: Tech IS the New Business Model | Gear Up For Growth

Firm leaders can no longer ignore this conversation.

This is a preview. The complete video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to PRO Members | Go PRO here
Sponsored by The Balanced Millionaire: The Advisor Edition by Dr. Jackie Meyer | See Today’s Special Offer

 Subscribe to CPA Trendlines podcasts anywhere: Apple, Google/YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, Deezer, Amazon Music, Audible, Player FM, Audacy, RSS.

Build a 7-figure firm in just 4 hours a week!

Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

Technology is no longer something CPA firms use to get work done. It’s what defines how firms compete, scale, attract talent—and increasingly, how they’re valued.

That was the clear, unambiguous message from Roman Kepczyk, director of Firm Technology Strategy at Rightworks, during his recent appearance on Gear Up for Growth, hosted by Jean Caragher.

Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and effficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here.|  More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

With nearly 30 years spent advising CPA firms of all sizes, Kepczyk didn’t mince words: firms that fail to standardize, automate, and strategically invest in technology are already falling behind—whether they realize it or not.

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