How AI can transform accounting for your start up

By: SuperProf

Date: 21 November 2023

The prospect of starting a business for most people can be equally as thrilling as it is scary. Even with a killer idea and great marketing skills, without doubt, you will also need financial smarts to turn it into reality.

That's precisely why being able to upskill and learn how to master money management, on top of your existing business and marketing knowledge, is key if you want to have a chance at seeing your start up take off.

Too many start ups fall into the trap of neglecting the financial side of business.

Overlooking budgeting, forecasting, and other money basics can clip your wings before you even leave the nest.

So by adding accounting savvy to your toolkit, you can make limited funds go further and reach new heights. But you don't have to do it all on your own.

The digital age has brought with it a raft of benefits, but one technology that is simplifying how we work is artificial intelligence (AI).

Let's explore how AI is revolutionising accounting, and how you can capitalise on this resource to position your start up for long-term success.

Accounting's evolution: from ledgers to AI

For centuries, accounting relied on manual ledgers, paper invoices, and typewriters. In the 1980s, spreadsheets and word processors transformed financial tasks. By the 2000s, QuickBooks and Xero had digitised accounting.

Today, artificial intelligence drives ongoing innovation. By combining massive data processing power with intelligent algorithms, AI takes automation and analytics to new levels.

As a result, start ups now have access to AI accounting systems that don't require them to learn the skill from top to bottom – making accounting a whole lot easier for those who haven't got a world of experience when it comes to finances.

Leveraging AI-enhanced tools

In the realm of AI-driven accounting solutions, tools like Microsoft Excel, enhanced with AI capabilities, play a pivotal role. Excel's AI features, such as automated data analysis and predictive forecasting, offer start ups a familiar yet powerful tool for managing their finances.

This integration of AI and Excel exemplifies how AI is making advanced accounting techniques more accessible to start ups.

Pre-computer era

Before computers, accountants recorded transactions by hand in paper journals and all number-crunching was done manually with calculators. This was slow, tedious, and prone to human errors.

In the 1980s, PCs and spreadsheets like Lotus 1-2-3 revolutionised accounting by automating repetitive calculations and reporting.

And then by the 2000s, cloud-based platforms like Xero and QuickBooks allowed remote, multi-user access to data, enabling real-time collaboration and becoming a total game-changer.

The AI frontier

Today, AI powers the next wave of innovation through machine learning, predictive analytics, natural language processing and more. It optimises efficiency, insights, and decision-making, but it also requires start ups to stay on top of technology as it continues to evolve.

Understanding AI's impact on accounting

AI enables software and machines to perform tasks requiring human-level thinking and judgement. Various AI technologies are revolutionising accounting:

Machine Learning

Algorithms analyse massive data sets to detect patterns and continuously improve without reprogramming.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

This allows conversational interactions between humans and accounting platforms.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Software bots efficiently automate high-volume repetitive digital tasks.

Predictive Analytics

Sophisticated models uncover trends and generate forecasts to provide key business insights. These technologies open new realms of speed, productivity, and strategic insight.

How AI transforms accounting

By automating routine tasks and enabling predictive analytics, AI fundamentally changes the face of accounting as we know it. Not only does it make it easier for accounts to utilise, but it also helps people like those running start ups make sense of the financial aspect of running a business.

Increased efficiency

AI eliminates tedious manual processes like data entry so accountants can focus on high-value work.

Enhanced accuracy

AI reduces human errors leading to incorrect reporting. Machine precision optimises data quality.

Deeper insights

Data mining reveals non-obvious trends, scenarios and relationships, enabling optimised decision-making.

Predictive capabilities

AI tools can forecast revenues, cash flow, expected costs and other metrics to significantly inform planning and budgeting.

Improved reporting

Natural language generation translates complex data into readable reports in real-time.

Strengthened auditing

By continuously monitoring transactions, AI assists in fraud detection and financial control. For start ups, AI reduces grunt work while highlighting key strategic insights to power growth.

Real-world AI accounting examples

Now you have an understanding of AI and the power it has to shape the way we do accounting, let's take a look at some tangible ways start ups can apply AI tools to their business strategy:

Accounts payable

Extract transaction data instantly from invoices using optical character recognition.
Match invoices to purchase orders for accuracy.
Automate approval workflows and payments.

Cash flow analysis

Continuously update cash flow projections using trends and inputs.
Run scenarios to stress test financial plans.

Expense reporting

Read and extract key details from receipts.
Enforce expense policy adherence.
Populate reports with minimal human effort.

Financial statement analysis

Generate insights from cash flow, ratios, earnings trends, and footnotes.
Highlight patterns needing attention like unusual account balances.

Credit risk assessment

Assess customer lifetime value, payment history, and defaults to model credit risk.
Quote personalised credit limits optimised for risk exposure.

Combining AI with human expertise

While AI handles tasks like bookkeeping, it's best to view it as an aid rather than the be-all and end-all. Human oversight and judgement remain crucial if you want to use it effectively.

System configuration, asking the right questions and assessing the quality of AI results, just to name a few, can only be done by a real person and having a specialist on hand is recommended.

In a nutshell, combining skilled professionals and AI tools allows start ups to get the best of both worlds.

AI accounting solutions for start ups

From automating data entry and transaction matching to identifying anomalies, providing cash flow forecasting and simplifying expenses and transactions, there are a whole host of ways in which AI accounting tools can provide solutions for start ups.

Accounting software solutions like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage Accounting and FreshBooks are a great place to start. When choosing tools, assess features against current needs and staff capabilities – like how cloud-based systems allow access from anywhere and seamless scaling.

Key benefits of AI accounting solutions:

Cut administrative costs by automating manual processes
Enable faster insights through real-time data processing and analytics
Improve forecasting accuracy with predictive modelling
Strengthen controls through continuous transaction monitoring
Support better decisions through advanced scenario modelling
Enhance customer service by using chatbots for common queries

Overcoming resistance to AI accounting:

Lack of technical skills - continuous learning is key to gaining user buy-in.
Fear of change - gradually phase in AI while demonstrating benefits.
Job security concerns - stress AI's role in enhancing capabilities rather than replacing jobs.

The vital role of data in AI accounting – start up musts:

Feed complete, consistent, and accurate data into systems to ensure quality outputs.
Establish strong data governance frameworks for controls, quality, and security.
Continuously funnel new data from all business units to enable a holistic view and power AI insights.

Training data and Machine Learning:

Maintain scrubbed, labelled datasets of validated past transactions.
Expand datasets continuously as new transactions occur to keep improving predictions.
Test models on evaluation sets to tune predictive performance.
Establish strict data protocols and quality standards.

Integrating systems for quality data

Integrate systems end-to-end for seamless transaction transmission.
Build APIs and middleware to enable real-time data flows between platforms.
Use notifications and feeds to update dashboards live.

Ethics and security considerations:

Ensure transparency by documenting how systems make decisions.
Test for biases and unfair outputs that don't align with company values.
Build oversight mechanisms to detect and correct AI errors.
Develop the ability to explain AI-driven actions and predictive models.
Implement stringent cybersecurity policies, access controls, and encryption around financial data.

Preparing teams for the AI-powered future

Training programs

Fund technical training on selecting, implementing, and optimising AI tools. Leverage vendor onboarding courses.

Online learning

Start ups should encourage their accounting teams to regularly enrol in online courses to learn about accounting online. This allows professionals to continuously expand their capabilities as technologies reshape their roles.

Cultivating adaptability

Instil a mindset of flexibility and curiosity. Show how AI augments capabilities rather than replaces jobs.

The evolving role of accountants in the AI era

Data analysts - interpret AI outputs and translate insights into strategic business advice.
Metrics modelers - develop and fine-tune predictive models and planning algorithms.
Process optimizers - continuously improve workflows by leveraging AI strengths.
Technology integrators - implement and administer AI accounting tools and infrastructure.
Compliance monitors - oversee control frameworks and adherence to standards in an AI context.

The future of AI in accounting – what to expect

More automation of bookkeeping, reporting, and audit preparation tasks.
Continuous forecasting of revenues, expenses, cash flow and other metrics.
Platforms combining AI insights with human contextual knowledge for robust recommendations.
Tighter cross-functional links enabling enterprise-wide data analytics.
Increasing regulation as authorities scrutinise AI ethics, security and compliance.

Incorporating accounting AI as a start up

It is clear now more than ever, for startups seeking to streamline accounting and get strategic insights, AI-driven tools represent the future. By automating repetitive tasks and enabling predictive analytics, AI lets start ups focus resources on innovation and growth.

Leading start ups will embrace tailored AI tools while enabling teams to maximise emerging tech. With strong data governance and cybersecurity, AI unlocks accounting excellence. Adopting AI requires continuous learning, for both staff and the algorithms.

The bottom line is this – start ups committed to ongoing education and adaptation of accounting AI tools will ride this wave to new heights of efficiency, insight, and competitive advantage over those who choose to ignore its power.