Blogs
Video Killed the Radio Star… and AI will replace accountants
July 2026
Except it won’t. At least, not in the way some fear.
After spending the past couple of weeks travelling across Asia — from Seoul to Colombo, Kuala Lumpur and finally Bali for our Russell Bedford International Asia Pacific conference — I’m more convinced than ever that our profession isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving.
Everywhere I went, firms were embracing artificial intelligence and new technologies. No one was talking about replacing accountants. Instead, the conversation was about how AI can make the accountant even better and greater.
AI will automate routine tasks. It will analyse data faster than ever. It will improve efficiency and free up valuable time.
But here’s what it can’t do:
It can’t build trust.
It can’t understand the ambitions and concerns of a business owner.
It can’t read the room during a difficult conversation.
It can’t develop relationships that are built over years.
And it can’t become a trusted adviser.
The conversations I had across four countries all reinforced the same message: the future of our profession isn’t about choosing between people and technology.
It’s about combining the best of both.
The accountants who thrive won’t be those who fear AI, nor those who rely on it completely.
They’ll be the ones who embrace technology while strengthening the uniquely human skills that clients value most — judgement, empathy, communication and relationships.
AI won’t replace great accountants.
But great accountants using AI will undoubtedly outperform those who don’t.
That’s the future I saw across Asia, culminating in another fantastic network event in Bali.
A heartfelt thank you to our member firms in Sri Lanka (Jayasinghe and Company) and Malaysia (Russell Bedford Malaysia) for their incredible hospitality, and to our hosts in Indonesia (Russell Bedford SBR) for helping deliver such a memorable Asia Pacific conference.
The relationships we build across our network are our greatest asset — and no technology will ever replace that.