With AI taking over the duller bits of our jobs, what skills does a modern accountant need?
Communication – reading between the lines as to what clients (and HMRC) actually want/need
Patience – chasing information from clients or hanging on the phone to HMRC (listening to the message that tells us to try the website first, as if we wouldn’t try that first!)
Tech/AI guru – because we want to get the most out of it. We’re accountants with tech, not versus tech
Judgement – reviewing AI (and other) generated information to apply it to the particular business/tax position of this client which requires a thorough understanding of the business (see communication)
Counselling – we’re often the only person able to truly understand the rollercoaster emotions that come with running a business
Cheerleading – motivating our clients on down days (not the acrobatics bit!)
Clairvoyance – for the most accurate forecasting and tax planning
What other skills do we need?