Top Leaders Convene to Explore Generative AI’s Impact on Accounting and Finance

AICPA and CPA.com host inaugural AI Symposium to explore the implications and opportunities of artificial intelligence for the accounting and finance profession.

NEW YORK (Jan. 24, 2024) – Leaders from across the accounting and technology ecosystem convene today at the inaugural AICPA and CPA.com AI Symposium to exchange insights and perspectives on the real and potential impacts and transformative abilities of artificial intelligence on the accounting profession.

The event, hosted by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and CPA.com, its business and technology subsidiary, brings together more than 70 firm and finance leaders, standard setters, thought leaders, AI solution providers and technologists to identify the ways AI is reshaping the profession and creating new possibilities, along with the risks and considerations to be addressed for effective implementation.

“GenAI has the potential to revolutionize the way firms deliver value and business insights, while also increasing their capacity to do so. When implemented correctly, it can deepen the trusted advisor relationship and unlock new opportunities for growth,” said Erik Asgeirsson, CPA.com president and CEO. “We’re energized by the response to this first symposium and the leadership underway to support firms and finance professionals in the responsible and effective deployment of its transformational capabilities. We look forward to building on the momentum.”

The symposium agenda covers key areas of leadership and focus including AI standards and regulations, advocacy initiatives, AI-enabled technology solutions, education and awareness for practitioners, and use cases related to internal management and practice areas encompassing tax, audit, finance and advisory services. CPA.com will release a whitepaper in March that recaps key themes and takeaways from the event sessions, including:

• The Future of AI in Accounting & Finance with Aaron Harris, CTO, Sage.
• Exploring Responsible AI: Industry Insights & Lessons Learned with Alyssa Lefaivre Škopac, Head of Global Partnerships and Growth, Responsible Artificial Intelligence Institute.
• AI Regulation & D.C. Outlook with Mark Peterson, EVP-Advocacy, AICPA.
• AI in Audit & Assurance with Amy Pawlicki, VP-Assurance and Advisory Innovation, AICPA.
• AI Strategies & Use Cases panel with Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com, Molly Goins-Cox, Chief Innovation Officer, Withum, Peter Scavuzzo, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Marcum LLP, and Moe Asgharnia, Chief Information Officer, BPM.

The event will also feature remarks from Erik Asgeirsson and Sue Coffey, CEO of Public Accounting at the AICPA, as well as an interactive session led by Kacee Johnson, VP-Strategy & Innovation, CPA.com, and Jason Staats, president, Realize LLC.

“As a trusted profession, we must remain agile in our pursuit to keep up with the speed and transformational capabilities of technology, but we must also be diligent in our commitment to adopt it securely,” said Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA. “Working with policymakers and establishing and adopting standards and practices that instill confidence in financial and non-financial data and information remains a top priority for us as we deploy initiatives and resources to support CPAs and CGMAs.”

Resources to support accounting and finance professionals
The AI Symposium is part of the AICPA and CPA.com’s ongoing efforts to deliver education, tools and resources to help accounting and finance professionals build their understanding of GenAI and the potential impact on their practices during this time of rapid change, including:

• CPA.com’s Generative AI initiative, which includes a toolkit featuring use cases and a security checklist to help firms build smart, safe AI strategies.
• AICPA Artificial Intelligence Resource Center
• An AI-specific cohort as part of the 2024 AICPA and CPA.com Startup Accelerator