AI in accounting practices is growing. A Xero survey of over 500 senior accountants and bookkeepers, reported on 16 October 2026, found about a third of firms keeping or growing output without more staff. The data is from a software vendor, so read it with care. Here is what it says and how to use it.
AI in accounting practices is moving from talk to daily use. A new Xero survey gives some numbers. This page explains what the figures say, where they are weak, and what a practice owner can do this month. It is general information, not accounting or tax advice. Updated 18 October 2026.
AI in accounting practices: what the Xero survey reported
The figures below were reported by Small Business Trends on 16 October 2026. They come from Xero research with over 500 senior accountants and bookkeepers, framed around Australian firms.
| Finding | Figure reported |
|---|---|
| Firms keeping or growing output without adding staff | 35% |
| Firms expecting no change to team size next year | 88% |
| Firms expecting a reorganisation of roles | 38% |
| Accountants using AI in regular operations | 52% |
| Same figure for the highest-performing firms | 69% |
| Hours saved per week, top firms versus all firms | About 11 versus 8 |
Read the Xero survey with care
These numbers are useful, but they have limits. Xero sells accounting software, so it has an interest in AI adoption. The time savings look self-reported. The article does not explain how firms were chosen or how it defined top firms. Firms that use AI more also earn more, but that does not prove AI caused it. Use the Xero survey as a direction, not a promise.
What this means for accounting firm productivity
Accounting firm productivity gains in the survey come from routine work. Think data entry, coding, drafting and reminders. The firms that save most time then use it for advisory work and new services. That is the useful lesson. AI frees hours. A person decides what to do with them.
AI with human review: how to start
AI with human review is the safest model. Let AI speed up a step, then have a person check the result. Here is a short plan for a practice:
- Pick one routine step, such as coding bank lines or chasing documents.
- Document your processes in a short brief with the steps and the finished result.
- Let an assistant use AI for the first pass.
- Review every output for two weeks and note the errors.
- Fix the brief, then add a second task.
Our guide to a virtual assistant for accountants lists ten tasks that hand off well. The task brief guide shows how to write the brief.
Bookkeeping firms and AI: where a VA fits
Questions to ask before you adopt AI
Before you add AI in accounting practices, ask three plain questions. Which steps are routine and well documented? Who checks the output, and how often? What happens to client data when a tool is used? If you cannot answer the third question, wait. Client data rules come first. Start with steps that use no sensitive data, such as scheduling and reminders, and widen the scope as your controls improve. This keeps AI in accounting practices useful and safe.
For bookkeeping firms and AI, a virtual assistant is a practical bridge. Our assistants are trained people who use AI tools, and a team lead reviews each task before it reaches you. A VA does not give tax advice, sign filings or replace your judgment. A 3-hour block costs $33 and pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour. The full-time plan is 160 hours for $899, or $5.62 an hour. Unused hours roll over while your account is active, and prices are in US dollars. See the cost calculator and our bookkeeping service.
Helpful next steps
- Virtual assistant for accountants — 10 tasks to hand off.
- Month end bookkeeping checklist — 12 steps to close your books.
- What is an AI-augmented virtual assistant? — how the model works.
- See pricing — from $12/hr pay-as-you-go to $5.62/hr full-time.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Xero survey find about AI in accounting practices?
As reported by Small Business Trends on 16 October 2026, Xero surveyed over 500 senior accountants and bookkeepers. 35% of firms said AI let them keep or grow output without adding staff, and 88% expected no change to team size over the next year.
Can I trust these figures?
Treat them as a signal, not proof. Xero sells accounting software, the figures are self-reported, and the article does not explain the sampling. The link between AI use and profit does not show that AI caused the profit.
Does AI replace bookkeepers?
The survey says most firms expect no change in team size next year. AI speeds up routine steps, and a person still checks the work and handles judgment calls.
How can a virtual assistant help a firm that uses AI?
A VA who uses AI can run routine steps such as data entry, document chasing and drafts, while a person reviews the output. Our assistants are trained people who use AI, and a team lead reviews each task.
What is doing this yourself costing you?
Doing it yourself: $2,165 a month of your time.
The same hours at our $12/hr pay-as-you-go rate: $520. Dedicated plans start at $5.62/hr.
Simple maths from the numbers you enter. It assumes a VA can take on those hours.
Start for $1Written by the MyRemoteVA team. Search-trend figures come from Google Trends. Prices shown are our current plans. Last updated October 18, 2026. Questions or corrections? Contact us.