With all the talk about artificial intelligence and Making Tax Digital, you might be wondering if accountants are becoming obsolete. Spoiler alert: they’re not. In fact, as technology takes over the boring bits, your accountant becomes more valuable for the things that actually matter to your business.
HMRC still works like it’s 1999 (sometimes)
Let’s be real about HMRC for a moment. Yes, they’re pushing digital everything, but they’re also the same organisation that still requires some forms to be printed, signed, and posted. Even their newest systems, like the R&D tax credit forms, don’t always talk to other systems properly.
Your accountant knows how to navigate this mixed bag of modern tech and antiquated processes. They know when you can file online and when you need to pick up the phone because the system’s down again. They’ve got the direct numbers, know which forms actually work, and understand the workarounds when things inevitably go wrong.
HMRC says they’ll be fully digital by 2030. We’ll believe it when we see it. Until then, you need someone who speaks both languages: digital and whatever HMRC is doing on any given day.
Software can’t see what’s not there
AI is brilliant at spotting patterns in your bank statements and categorising your expenses. But it can’t see the cash payment you made to a supplier, the assets you’ve gifted to your children, or that handshake deal you made at the golf club.
Your accountant knows what questions to ask. They’ll spot when something’s missing, not just when something’s wrong. They understand that your business isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet but real transactions with real people, some of which happen in ways that software will never capture.
The human stuff matters more than ever
Here’s what technology can’t do: understand why you’re really selling the business, know that you’d rather pay more tax than deal with certain compliance requirements, or recognise that your “irrational” business decision makes perfect sense given your personal circumstances.
Your accountant gets the full picture. They know your business isn’t just about maximising profit or minimising tax. Maybe you want to keep things simple even if it costs more. Maybe you’re planning something five years down the line that affects today’s decisions. Software doesn’t do nuance.
The real value was never the number crunching
Truth is, if all your accountant did was add up receipts and fill in tax returns, then yes, technology would replace them. But that’s like saying a doctor just takes your temperature and writes prescriptions.
The value is in interpretation and strategy. It’s knowing that whilst you could claim that expense, doing so might trigger an investigation that’ll cost you more in time than you’d save. It’s spotting that restructuring your business now could save you thousands when you sell in three years. It’s being able to explain why HMRC is querying something and exactly how to respond.
Technology makes good accountants better
The smart accountants aren’t fighting technology; they’re using it to do better work for you. Instead of spending hours on data entry, they’re using that time to actually analyse your business, spot opportunities, and prevent problems before they happen.
Cloud accounting means they can see issues in real-time instead of once a year. AI tools help them check nothing’s been missed. Automation handles the routine stuff so they can focus on the valuable advice that actually moves your business forward.
The adviser evolution is already happening
The best accountants are already evolving from “people who know tax rules” to “people who know how to use technology to help your business.” They’re becoming tech-savvy business advisers who happen to specialise in tax and finance.
They’re the ones who’ll tell you which software actually works for your industry, help you automate the boring bits, and still be there when you need human insight. They’re learning prompt engineering to get the best from AI tools whilst knowing when the AI is talking nonsense.
What this means for you
Don’t ditch your accountant thinking an app will replace them. But do check they’re keeping up with the times. A good accountant in 2025 should be talking to you about efficiency, automation, and strategy, not just churning out the same old tax return.
Ask them how they’re using technology to serve you better. If they’re still doing everything manually and complaining about MTD, maybe it’s time to find one who’s embracing the future rather than hiding from it.
The bottom line
Technology is brilliant at the what and the how. It’ll calculate your tax, categorise your expenses, and file your returns faster than any human. But it’s rubbish at the why and the what if.
Why should you structure your business this way? What if you sell next year? What if HMRC investigates? What if the rules change? What if your circumstances change? That’s where your accountant earns their fee.
The technology revolution isn’t putting good accountants out of business. It’s just making the difference between good ones and mediocre ones much more obvious. The good news? If you’re reading this, you’re probably the kind of business owner who values proper advice over just getting the cheapest tax return. And that means you’ll always need a good accountant, no matter how smart the software gets.
Need a Second Opinion?
If you’re unsure about things – or just want us to give something a once-over – give us a shout. We’ll help you keep things above board, efficient, and as stress-free as possible.
Because running a business is hard enough without dodgy receipts messing up your day.
