{"id":4317,"date":"2024-03-18T17:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=4317"},"modified":"2025-05-07T14:54:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:54:20","slug":"automation-for-your-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/automation-for-your-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Want AI and automation for your practice? Here&#8217;s what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWant AI and automation for your practice? Here&#8217;s what you need to know\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-03-18T17:00:04+00:00\">18 March, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Want AI and automation for your practice? Here&#8217;s what you need to know\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/automation-for-your-practice\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/keirthomasbryant\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Keir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you want to use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-ai\/\">artificial intelligence<\/a>&nbsp;(AI) and automation for your practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2018, when Sage commissioned research for the Power of Now report, 66% of accountants would invest in AI if it automated time-consuming and repetitive tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the possibilities of AI and automation have expanded exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So where do you start with AI in your accountancy practice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will explore some of the options out there for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#automation\">Automation for your practice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#stay\">Stay informed\u2013and understand the benefits of automation and AI<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#experience\">Experience new efficiencies with AI and automation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#give\">Give AI and automation time<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#final\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary gate-23ce31f2-4d5e-4bfb-a9a6-c843fa5ada0f\"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#gate-23ce31f2-4d5e-4bfb-a9a6-c843fa5ada0f\"\n\t>Download your free AI and accounting eBook<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"automation\">Automation for your practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At one point, automation was only able to perform its programmed functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But now, with AI integration, it can learn, analyse, and adapt to your individual business needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From time-savings to useful process suggestions, the addition of AI to automation has revealed its benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stay\">Stay informed\u2013and understand the benefits of automation and AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping informed of technological change can be difficult but the fact you\u2019re reading this article is a step in the right direction. You might also consider monitoring information coming from trade organisations both here and overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, in 2023 the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.icaew.com\/\">ICEAW<\/a>&nbsp;published a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.icaew.com\/groups-and-networks\/communities\/data-analytics-community\/community-insights-and-announcements\/ai-the-next-big-thing-in-accountancy\">major report on AI within accountancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.accaglobal.com\/\">ACCA<\/a>&nbsp;also published a report looking at AI in accountancy in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accaglobal.com\/uk\/en\/professional-insights\/technology\/digital-horizons.html\">this recent example<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it\u2019s not just you personally who should be aiming to stay informed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should be encouraging your colleagues to keep ahead of the changes because AI is likely to bring a cultural and institutional change within your practice if it hasn\u2019t already started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of using automation powered by AI are becoming clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using AI tools can save you time, take the pain out of your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/boost-cash-flow-generative-ai-finance\/\">previously manual processes<\/a>, and give you deeper and broader insights for reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As just one example, basic accounting tasks are often ascribed to apprentices or trainees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accountants-ai-free-time-client-work\/\">AI starting to take care of them<\/a> it\u2019s likely that newcomers to the industry will be starting at a fundamentally higher level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is no bad thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research has shown that young people entering the industry today have little tolerance for basic tasks, which can lead to high staff turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using AI to cut out the manual admin tasks will improve your practice\u2019s reputation and have a knock-on effect on the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means you\u2019ll also retain staff and attract new talent because they know their time will be spent on the most important tasks: building the client base through human-to-human relationships and focusing on strategic decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you understand the benefits of using AI in your accountancy practice, you can better explain it to your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially important if they are still using siloed technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where you can help by understanding the technology, you can advise them on how to make the switch over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helping them explore how cloud-based, AI-powered solutions can supercharge their business will only add more value to your practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"experience\">Experience new efficiencies with AI and automation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From handheld calculators to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-cloud-computing\/\">cloud computing<\/a>, the industry has been tied to technology in a three-legged race since the 1960s with each providing breakthrough vital functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your existing accountancy and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accountants\/products\/client-management\/\">client management software<\/a> is being updated to reflect current advances in technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI will be an extension of existing features you already use, and you might not even notice its presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But you will notice an increase in efficiency, both in the processes you used to employ and your own workload management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That bank account reconciliation and coding will require noticeably less intervention on your behalf, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your practice management software will be more proactive when it comes to assigning resources because it\u2019s learned about seasonality and the flow of your client data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"give\">Give AI and automation time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>New technology requires that we invest time to make it all work, of course, and get the most out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But sometimes it needs more than this. It requires us to give it the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI is gathering pace in the industry and as with any technology, you\u2019ll have to find the best way of exploiting it for your practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with any new technology, there will be a learning curve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI requires an initial need to train it by using it a few times so it can understand your usual processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the lower-level examples of machine learning when taking care of the basic tasks, this will again require patience\u2013just as it would require patience to train a human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of using AI and automation for your practice are clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right tools will act like an assistant, helping to facilitate tasks with ease, and continue to automate the processes most useful to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And AI will adapt and learn so it changes with your business, supporting it every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, the investment in AI is going to be more than technological or financial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Sage CEO Steve Hare says: \u201cThis new wave of AI has the potential to run your business in entirely new ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published in May 2018 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n \n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Practical steps to harness AI for a more human-centred practice<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Discover how to win back time and enhance value for clients.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"##gate-23ce31f2-4d5e-4bfb-a9a6-c843fa5ada0f\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1405751400-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1405751400-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how accountants can use AI and automation to deal with admin, manage manual processes and grow their 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