Demystifying AI for the accounting and finance profession
CPA.com
AI Initiative
BUILD vs. BUY: The decision framework for AI in accounting firms
A strategic guide for firms navigating the AI era, helping teams make smarter build-versus-buy decisions while avoiding hidden costs and operational risks.
AI solution due diligence guide
Launched at DCPA25, this practical evaluation framework helps firms evaluate AI solution providers to ensure they're making decisions with clarity and confidence.
Recognizing the tremendous potential for AI to reshape the accounting and finance profession, CPA.com is leading a multi-part AI initiative to support CPAs’ understanding and application of this transformative technology. This collection of resources aims to empower professionals to assess the possibilities and make informed decisions on how to implement AI into their practices in a risk-averse way.
This is one of CPA.com’s several strategic initiatives that deliver on our mission to empower the profession in the digital age.
Check back regularly for updated information, learning opportunities and materials as the capabilities of this technology continue to evolve.
Resources for an evolving AI landscape
BUILD vs. BUY: The decision framework for AI in accounting firms
Designed for accounting firm leaders, this framework provides a structured approach to evaluating AI investments and capabilities. It outlines when to build custom solutions, when to buy proven platforms and how to assess long-term ownership, security, maintenance and business impact before making technology decisions.
2025 AI in Accounting Report
What was once seen as a technological advancement has quickly become a strategic imperative. Explore the latest report, which serves as a roadmap for firms aiming to move from exploring AI to harnessing it as a competitive advantage.
Toolkit: Building your AI strategy
Take a deeper dive into GenAI and the specific opportunities and risks that accounting and finance professionals should consider as they begin to formulate their AI strategy with this award-winning resource.
AI solution due diligence guide for accounting firms
This practical evaluation framework helps you evaluate AI solution providers to ensure you’re making decisions with clarity and confidence. It includes top questions to ask about data privacy, model accuracy, security and governance, as well as an evidence checklist to support responsible AI adoption.
AI explained: An accountant’s primer on models and use cases
Get clarity into the five distinct types of AI tools and how each best solves specific accounting and finance tasks. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses and appropriate use cases for each tool will help you achieve the ROI you’re looking for.
The Rise of GenAI
Top insights from CPA.com’s year-long research initiative into GenAI’s transformative impacts on the profession, including findings from the AICPA / CPA.com AI Symposium, firm use cases, interviews with AI experts, and more.
Infographic: The Road to AI Implementation
As your team looks to implement an artificial intelligence strategy, it’s important to avoid trying to slot this powerful tool into existing expectations of technology. Our Road to AI Implementation provides a quick map of things to consider as your firm or finance team embarks on the journey to transformation.
Infographic: Unpacking AI
Is your GPT an LLM? Does that tool use ML or DL? Keeping up with this transformative technology can seem like a headache. Our Unpacking AI infographic breaks down each layer of artificial intelligence and how it's being used in accounting and finance. Once you've wrapped your head around all the acronyms.
Resources for an evolving AI landscape
Understanding the GenAI Landscape
Below you’ll find resources offering a high-level perspective on the current AI landscape and how GenAI can be optimized for the accounting and finance profession:
Use case tutorials
CPA.com has identified specific use cases categorized by practice or business sub-set most likely to benefit from the implementation of GenAI. View video walkthroughs that illustrate how to Build the right prompts for practical application.
Security & Risk Considerations
Understanding the associated security implications becomes crucial for businesses across industries. This document outlines the top security and risk considerations with remediation recommendations.
Key terminology
Explore a handy glossary of terms to help you navigate this emerging technology.
Startup Accelerator
The AICPA and CPA.com Startup Accelerator program helps grow startups throughout the accounting ecosystem so the innovators and cutting-edge solutions can help transform the profession through task automation, AI, blockchain and more.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
From AI strategies to practice-specific insights, explore the latest AI-focused tools, resources and webinars.