MONTVALE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / January 30, 2024 / Today, IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants), the worldwide association of accountants and financial professionals in business, released "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Accounting and Finance: A Global Perspective." The report outlines how to embrace a future with artificial intelligence (AI) along with the challenges organizations can face and prerequisites needed for a successful AI integration.

As AI continues to reshape the accounting and finance profession, IMA engaged global experts and leaders in the profession to study the applications of AI and what barriers could exist to implement processes into accountants' daily work. Insights from these discussions are valuable for informing organizational strategies as leaders prepare to embark on their AI journey.

"AI is a game-changer that has the potential to empower accounting and finance professionals when it comes to data analysis, forecasting and decision-making," said Susie Duong, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, CIA, EA, senior director of research and thought leadership at IMA and author of the report. "The use of AI will drive the future of the profession's growth, unlock untapped potential, and increase the value of professionals and organizations."

The research for the report found that while AI will not fully replace human expertise, professionals at all levels will need to embrace and adopt this transformation and focus on technology proficiency, data analytics, critical thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. Likewise, organizations will need to foster human-machine collaboration, focusing on upskilling and reskilling team members, and creating a culture of ongoing learning to understand AI's strengths and weaknesses, steering toward its responsible and fruitful implementation.

Study participants identified four aspects of challenges associated with AI implementation, which are human, technological, operational, and ethical. Challenges related to people - involving all levels of employees within an organization, were identified as the biggest hurdle for success of AI initiatives, according to 38 percent of participants.

"AI has entered the mainstream in everything we do today. For accounting and finance professionals to be successful, they need to focus on upskilling and reskilling programs which will help them work with AI effectively," said Mike DePrisco, president and CEO at IMA. "Fostering a culture of collaboration, commitment, and transparency while navigating the implementation of AI is key to promoting the responsible and beneficial use of new technologies worldwide."

To solve for these challenges and for a successful AI integration, the study outlined the following prerequisites:

• Aligning AI strategies with organizational goals and ensuring adequate executive support, addressing the skills gap of the existing workforce through training and development;
• Fostering cross-functional collaboration, process reengineering, and scalability;
• Focusing on data quality and the digital preparedness of teams; and
• Navigating AI-related risks and embracing ethical AI practices.

The research drew insights from in-depth dialogues from interviews and roundtable discussions with experts in the field and accounting/finance leaders spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, North Africa, India, and China. The full report is available on IMA's website: https://www.imanet.org/en/Research-Publications/IMA-Reports/The-Impact-of-Artificial-Intelligence-on-Accounting-and-Finance

About IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants):

IMA^® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA^® (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA^® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.

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CONTACT:

Giuseppe Barone
IMA
(201) 474-1681
giuseppe.barone@imanet.org

Brian Sherry
Stern Strategy Group
(908) 325-3860
ima@sternstrategy.com

SOURCE: IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)