“I don't see a world where the profession of accounting is totally taken over by AI. There'll always be that need for human touch and validation because we do audits and we need to make sure that we get their taxes right. So I would just say, embrace it, think about how it's going to give you that better work-life balance, and then just go for it. Give it a try.”
-Karen Ainley

Karen Ainley, Head of the Accountants Business Unit at Sage, dives into how AI, automation, and digitization are transforming the bookkeeping and accounting profession. She shares key insights from the Practice of Now report, offering practical advice on embracing change, building client relationships, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How AI & automation enhance efficiency & client service
The shifting role of bookkeepers from historical reporting to advisory services
Why client expectations demand tech-savvy professionals today

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp:

01:19 - Overview of the Practice of Now report
02:13 - Key findings: skills, AI & client relationships
03:36 - How AI improves workloads & work-life balance
06:18 - Evolving client expectations & demand for tech-savvy services
09:01 - Global tax digitization trends & their impact
13:08 - Shift to subscription models & value-based pricing
16:59 - Advisory services replacing traditional bookkeeping
19:25 - How small practices can compete with AI tools
21:40 - Sage Copilot’s features: anomaly detection & automation
26:00 - Karen’s advice: embrace technology & take action
27:39 - How Sage supports bookkeepers with tools & resources
29:16 - Closing remarks & resources for listeners

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage!

On February 13th at 12pm ET, Sage will be presenting its webinar, Practice of Now: How To Plan Your Practice for 2025 & Beyond, to our community.

It'll cover The Practice of Now global insights study to help you plan your role and practice for the future.

During this webinar, you’ll learn:

Current trends that are changing the profession
The biggest opportunity to take in the next 12 months
Key actions that all accountants and bookkeepers should be considering

Plus much more!

REGISTER NOW before it's too late!

EP458: Spotlight - Karen Ainley - Mastering Automation To Elevate Client Relationships

The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast