The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Accounting Profession in India

Abstract

Abstract
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the global accounting profession, and
India is no exception. This paper investigates how AI is impacting the accounting profession in India — examining changes
in task composition, skill-requirements, audit and assurance practice, regulatory environment, and the evolving role of
accountants. Drawing upon a broad review of academic literature, practitioner surveys and recent industry developments in
India, the study identifies five major themes: automation of routine tasks; enhanced analytics and decision-support
functions; shifting skill-profiles and education needs for accounting professionals; governance, ethical and regulatory
challenges; and differentiated adoption patterns across firm-sizes and sectors. The paper further examines the readiness of
Indian accounting professionals and institutions for AI adoption, the implications for accounting education and career
pathways, and outlines strategic recommendations for researchers, educators and policymakers. Empirical evidence from
recent Indian focused studies suggests that while AI adoption remains nascent in many small and medium firms,
early‐adopters are already reporting improvements in efficiency, accuracy and advisory capability. However, significant
barriers—such as lack of digital skills, data quality issues, cost of implementation and regulatory uncertainty—remain. The
paper concludes by pointing to a research gap in longitudinal empirical analysis of AI adoption in Indian accounting firms,
and proposes a mixed-methods research design to address it. The contribution lies in providing a structured framework for
analysing AI’s impact on accounting profession in Indian context and offering actionable insights for academia,
professional bodies and policy makers.