Will AI Take Over Your Accountant's Job? One CEO Weighs In

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-10-20

Picture this: you're running a small business, and your accountant just sent over the monthly numbers. You glance at them, nod, and move on. But what if that same accountant could be the strategic partner who helps you make smarter decisions about cash flow, late-paying clients, and where your next dollar should go? That's the heart of a conversation with An Maes, who went from being an accountant at a Big Four firm to CEO of Silverfin, an international technology company. She's seen the accounting world from both sides of the desk, and she has some honest thoughts about where AI is taking it. ### The Accountant Isn't Going Anywhere (But the Job Is Changing) Here's the short answer: no, AI won't replace your accountant. But according to An, the role will change in ways that matter to you as a business owner. Think of it like this. AI is great at the repetitive stuff. Data entry, compliance checks, reconciling transactions. The kind of work that eats up hours and doesn't add much beyond accuracy. When that gets automated, your accountant suddenly has room to do something far more valuable: talk to you. "The accountant won't disappear," An explains. "But the job will fundamentally change." Instead of spending their days buried in spreadsheets, they become a strategic partner who helps you read the story behind your numbers. ### What You Should Actually Expect From Your Accountant This is where it gets practical. If your accountant is only sending you a tax filing once a year, you might be leaving value on the table. An lays out what a modern relationship should look like: - **Cash flow visibility.** You should know, at any given moment, how much money is coming in and going out. Not last quarter. Now. - **Open receivables and payables.** Who owes you money? Who are you behind on? These aren't details, they're survival. - **Strategic questions.** Your accountant should be asking you about your goals, not just your receipts. - **Real conversations.** Deep, honest discussions about where the business is heading and what the numbers say about it. If that sounds like a lot, it is. But it's also the difference between an accountant who files paperwork and one who helps you grow. ### Belgium vs. the Netherlands: A Tale of Two Approaches An also touches on something fascinating: the cultural differences between how Belgian and Dutch entrepreneurs work with their accountants. Without giving too much away, the contrast comes down to how proactively each side treats the advisory role. Some markets embrace the accountant as a true partner earlier, while others are still catching up. For entrepreneurs in Belgium especially, this is worth paying attention to. The tools are there. The technology exists. The question is whether you're using your accountant to their full potential. ### The Bottom Line for Business Owners AI is coming for the busywork, and honestly, that's good news. It frees up your accountant to do what humans do best: think, advise, and help you make better calls. But that only happens if you're willing to treat the relationship as more than a compliance checkbox. So here's a question worth asking yourself this week: when was the last time your accountant gave you advice that actually changed a decision you made? If you can't remember, it might be time for a different conversation.