In this episode of MOVE Like This, Peter McCarroll, founder of The AI Accountant and partner at Fuel Accountants, joins Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk to talk about how AI will reshape careers, leadership, and the future of accounting firms.
Peter argues that many firms are looking at AI through too narrow a lens. Automating routine work will improve productivity, but firms that thrive will use AI to strengthen strategic thinking, build new services, and deepen client relationships rather than simply cut costs. As transactional work like bookkeeping, coding transactions, and portions of tax prep becomes automated, he believes the profession will shift toward judgment, interpretation, and client relationships: the value that comes from helping clients understand what the rules mean for their business, not just knowing the rules.
The conversation also turns to leadership pipelines, particularly for women, who are heavily represented in the bookkeeping and client accounting roles most likely to be disrupted by AI. Peter argues firms have a responsibility to help people reskill before those roles change, and that developing future leaders means finding new ways to build professional judgment now that AI is automating much of the repetitive work accountants used to learn from. He’s direct about where the real risk lies: this isn’t a technology problem, it’s a leadership problem.
Key Takeaways:
- AI Will Change More Than Efficiency: Firms that focus only on productivity gains risk missing larger opportunities to create new services, improve strategy, and strengthen client relationships.
- Human Judgment Becomes More Valuable: As transactional work becomes automated, professional value shifts toward critical thinking, interpretation, and trusted advisory relationships.
- Leadership Pipelines Need to Evolve: As AI changes entry-level and transactional work, firms must rethink how future leaders gain experience and develop judgment.
- Investing in People Is as Important as Investing in Technology: Successful AI adoption requires training, time, and leadership, not just new software.
- Women’s Career Paths May Be Disproportionately Affected: Because women remain highly represented in transactional accounting roles, firms have an opportunity to intentionally support reskilling.
- The Future Belongs to Strategic Advisors: Firms that help professionals move beyond compliance toward interpretation and client guidance will be better positioned for long-term success.
Have a question about the project? View our MOVE FAQs!