The article talks about how the shift in technology such as the inventions of machines and

artificial intelligence (AIs) are considered to be a potential threat to the world of accountants. This
shift was said to emerge from the invention of “cloud computing” where data was stored through
the Internet rather than local-based network systems. Since then, the advancement of technology
in the business world got further ahead as tasks and activities got more efficient and less time-
consuming as the AIs and machines are already doing some of the tasks that should be done by
an employee. Instead of making an employee or an accountant do a repetitive work of analyzing
a data or reviewing a contract, machines and AIs are now used for that specific purpose. With that
in mind, accountants are now being threatened by this progression, saying that they are slowly
being replaced by robots since the traditional tasks that should have been their job is now easily
done by artificial intelligence. It really is indisputable to think that technological advancements
could be the reason why an accountant will no longer be needed in the industry as machines can
already do 70% of their job. However, the article also refuted that there are also things that robots
could never do that a human can, and that is our social and emotional connection to others,
analyzing complex things, and others. With this reason, firms are encouraged to see these
technological advancements as an opportunity and not a threat. By utilizing the use of technology,
accountants could be more effective and efficient as a “Cherished Advisor” that combines his/her
reliable skills with machines and artificial intelligence to make better financial decisions and
outcomes.

Upon reading the article, I can say that these technological advancements have their own
advantages and disadvantages. Having machines and artificial intelligence to help us in fulfilling
some of our tasks is really useful, especially in finishing our tasks a way faster than doing it
traditionally. For example, analyzing data, computing some financial data for business decisions,
or reviewing a contract can be time-consuming tasks, thus, needing more work hours to finish a
particular job. However, through the help of artificial intelligence, these conventional tasks can
already be taken care of by machines, making our work easier and efficient. Moreover, the
advancement of technology doesn’t only make our tasks better, but, it also makes our lives easier.
On the other hand, the advancement of technology also brought disadvantages in this profession.
Relying on the work of machines for analyzing most of the data that company has lessened the
need for the skills of human employees, thus, reducing the need for employing professionals and
just invest their capital in these machines. Hence, I can also see the reason why some accountants
see artificial intelligence as a potential threat in their careers. It cannot prevent you from thinking,
“what will happen if these machines got to the point where they got super-efficient where
accountants are no longer needed in the industry?” It will make you think about what the future
may hold. With all these worries aside, I do agree with the article that robots could never be as
equal to humans in terms of social & emotional capability and the power to analyze complex things
for making better business decisions. Whatever programs or codes they would discover and input
towards artificial intelligence, there is still something unique in a human’s capability. Yes, they can
analyze data with much ease compared to humans, but, they can never have the power to explain
to a client which of these data can be really valuable or game-changing for their business. Thus, I
agree with the statement that we should never be afraid of them because I believe that things that
are handled in the right way would not cause you any harm. In other words, if we learn how to
manage and utilize the use of technology within the accounting firms, this will, in return, be
beneficial and valuable to us rather than being inauspicious.

Moreover, this article has opened a new realization for me regarding the accounting
profession. Upon reading it, the first thing that came to my mind was, “Are the skills that I
painstakingly trying to develop through the following years are still substantial in the business
industry?” This was the first thought that came to my mind as I saw how accountants in this
profession are starting to express their worry about the superiority of machines over their human
skills. For example, in our classes, we can literally use the Excel for better and efficient computations
rather than doing it in the calculator manually and be more prone to committing mistakes. Thus,
in that mere example, we can already see the importance of technology in today’s time. Moreover,
the article then also included another exceptional leverage of artificial intelligence which is
reviewing 12,000 commercial-loan contracts in seconds which way faster than the 360,000 hours
needed by the accountants to go through over it to analyze and understand it. As taught in our
class, there are also many things you need to consider in granting a loan or in a bond such as
computations on how much you can gain or lose from that transaction and such. Thus, it really
takes a long time before an accountant like us could analyze a transaction manually compared to
the power of machines, something that can also be bothering for some. However, thoughts aside,
I still think that the essence and importance of an accountant or any professional in the business
industry would not shrink or become invaluable because there are still skills that we can acquire
that machines cannot. And as the article goes, machines are so far ahead of being superior to us
regarding our relationship with the clients as their adviser because clients would still need our
services to guide them in making the optimal business decision that can help them climb the
industry. Thus, we should never feel threatened or insecure about these advancements, on the
other note, we should make them a tool to become a better “cherished adviser” for our clients.