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Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among tax and accounting firms has more than quadrupled in the past year, according to Wolters Kluwer’s 2025 Future Ready Accountant report.
The annual study, based on responses from over 2,700 professionals across multiple regions, shows that 41% of firms are now using AI, up from 9% in 2024, while 77% plan to increase investment over the next three years. More than a third of firms report using AI daily.
Wolters Kluwer said the findings reflect a move away from short-term operational fixes toward long-term digital transformation, centred on technology integration, advisory services, and talent development.
The report also found that 93% of firms now offer advisory services, compared with 83% in 2024. Nearly half plan to expand these further in the next year, with data and AI increasingly used to tailor client advice.
Additionally, cloud adoption continues to underpin growth. Just over half (52%) of firms have expanded their use of cloud-based solutions in the past year, and 87% of firms with high levels of integration reported revenue growth.
The research also points to ongoing shifts in workforce priorities, with 31% of firms citing advanced technical skill development as a leading staffing challenge. Staff expectations for improved technology tools rose to 29%, up 10 percentage points year on year.
Over the past three years, 26% of firms reported mergers, 27% acquisitions, and 32% private equity investment, reflecting continued consolidation across the sector.
Jason Marx, chief executive, said: “The 2025 Future Ready Accountant report reveals a profession in strategic transformation. Firms are moving beyond tactical fixes to embrace long-term strategies centered on advisory services, talent development, and technology integration.
“AI is no longer a future consideration—it’s a present-day imperative that firms need to embrace not just to survive but to thrive and grow. As firms embed AI and automation into their workflows, they’re redefining how value is delivered, decisions are made, and client relationships are built. These shifts aren’t just operational—they signal a broader redefinition of firm purpose, long-term strategy, and client engagement models that drive meaningful results.”
