(WACO, Texas) – Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of our everyday lives, but Edna Claus is quick to tell you: it is not completely taking over the accounting field.
“Accounting hasn’t changed in 3,000 years,” said Claus, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s online Business Management program. “It really has not changed as far as the concepts. The concepts and skills are being utilized a little differently and we are trying to help them (the students) understand how AI is being used in the workplace.”
Students in the program take five courses related to accounting.
“I want them to understand AI is going in the workplace, and in order for them to continue in whatever field they want to go into, they need to embrace and learn how it is being used, especially with their employer,” Claus said.
Students are using the educational version of Intuit QuickBooks’ AI assistant in the Introduction to Computerized Accounting class. Students are learning that while the AI Assistant is there to help them, it is not there to do the work for them. Students must still make sure all transactions are correct.
“They need to understand the content and learning objectives, and what they are learning,” Claus said. “They need to obtain the added skills of ensuring that what they are asking of the AI Assistant and automated software is correct.”
The course that Claus is redesigning with AI that includes learning activities and tutoring is the Payroll and Business Tax Accounting class. She said her use of AI is enabling her to be more creative in challenging her students. Students will begin seeing Ai in this course in fall 2027.
“Currently, I want AI to be in learning and tutoring activities to prepare them for the module mastery assessment,” Claus said. “I do not plan to use AI with the mastery assessments. I must assess that they have learned the course learning objectives and earned the skills of using online accounting software.”
Claus wants her students to be prepared for the modern workplace. And, industry professionals want graduates to be well versed in technology.
Billy Kelley, managing partner at Kelley Dutton LLC in Midland and Waco, said graduates can pursue several areas within accounting, such as auditing, consulting, data analytics and forensics. He said learning the technical skills that come with AI software can open up stable work opportunities.
“Don’t be concerned about AI overtaking accounting — it’s not,” Kelley said. “If anything, it’s a tool to make things more efficient, which is what technology does.”
Kelley said AI is used at the firm as a research tool. He said the firm’s staff will still need to verify information is accurate.
“That part of it does not take that long,” he said. “It still reduces the timeframe. You can’t just take what AI says at face-value because it is pulling from a database. What AI can’t do is sit down face-to-face with a client to communicate.”
Angela Ragan, a shareholder at JRBT Certified Public Accountants in Waco, said AI can help accountants work more efficiently, but it does not replace critical thinking or client relationships. She said AI at the firm is used for billing, gathering and organizing client documents, and research.
Ragan sees AI as ever evolving and aiding firms in becoming more efficient.
“It will automate more routine tasks and speed up many processes,” she said. “The role of entry-level accountants will change, but in a positive way. We still need first-year staff, but their training and responsibilities will focus more on analysis, problem-solving and client service rather than repetitive manual tasks.”
San Antonio-based Frost Bank has taken a cautious and responsible approach to adopting AI, said Jenna Wilemon, an employee relations specialist. The company has added new positions to see how AI can assist in duties for accounting and finance positions.
“It has a place in accounting, but humans run that and all the decisions we are making from the reports we are pulling are checked by humans and implemented by humans,” Wilemon said.
The Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Wages and Employment Projections predict more than 15,900 accounting, bookkeeping and auditing clerks and more than 10,200 accountants and auditors will all be needed in the state through 2034.
TSTC’s Business Management program offers an associate degree and two certificates of completion.
For more information, go to tstc.edu.