Will AI Take Your Accountant's Job? What Business Owners Need to Know

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-10-20

An Maes has seen the accounting world from just about every angle. She started as an accountant at a Big Four firm, then climbed through a series of roles at Silverfin until she became CEO. Along the way, she helped steer the company's expansion into the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Today, Silverfin operates in several international markets. Its mission is straightforward: help accountants automate compliance and admin work so they can spend more time on advice and real conversations with business owners. But here's the question that keeps coming up. As AI gets better at handling bookkeeping tasks, what happens to the accountant? According to An, the profession won't disappear. It will change in fundamental ways. ### AI Won't Replace Your Accountant, But It Will Reshape the Role Think of it this way. AI is great at crunching numbers, categorizing transactions, and spotting patterns. What it can't do is sit across from you, understand your business goals, and tell you what to do next. That's where the accountant's value shifts. Instead of spending hours on data entry, they become a strategic partner. Someone who helps you interpret the numbers and make smarter calls. "The accountant who only does compliance work is at risk," An explains. "But the one who advises, who understands the business, who asks the right questions? That person becomes more valuable than ever." ### What You Should Expect From Your Accountant Not every accountant is created equal. An suggests asking a few pointed questions to figure out whether yours is keeping up with the times: - Do they proactively flag cash flow issues before they become problems? - Can they explain what your numbers mean in plain language? - Are they using automation to free up time for actual advice? - Do they understand your industry, not just your tax filings? If the answer to most of these is no, it might be time for a conversation. Or a change. ### The Cash Flow Blind Spot One thing An stresses again and again: too many business owners don't have a clear picture of their cash flow. They know revenue. They might even know profit. But cash in the bank? Outstanding invoices? Money owed to suppliers? That's a dangerous gap. You can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash. Understanding who owes you, who you owe, and when everything comes due is essential for making good decisions. Your accountant should be helping you see this clearly. If they're only focused on year-end filings, you're missing the bigger picture. ### Belgium vs. the Netherlands: Different Approaches An also touches on the differences between Belgium and the Netherlands when it comes to accounting and business culture. The Dutch tend to be more direct and expect their advisors to challenge them. Belgian business owners often prefer a more relationship-driven approach. Neither is wrong. But understanding these differences matters if you're operating across borders or working with international partners. The bottom line? AI is changing the game, but it's not replacing the human element. Your accountant's job is evolving from number-cruncher to trusted advisor. The question is whether they're ready for it, and whether you're asking enough of them.