{"id":96032,"date":"2025-03-18T16:22:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T16:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silverfin.com\/resources\/getting-started-with-ai-billie-mcloughlin\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T13:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T13:03:14","slug":"getting-started-with-ai-billie-mcloughlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silverfin.com\/en-ie\/resources\/getting-started-with-ai-billie-mcloughlin\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get started with AI in accounting: insights from Billie McLoughlin, 20:20 Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, and accounting is no exception. But should accountants be worried? In the latest episode of Silver Linings<\/em>, Billie McLoughlin, practice consultant at 2020 Innovation and tech and AI lead, joins us to unpack the reality of AI in accounting. From the biggest misconceptions to practical ways accountants can adopt AI, here\u2019s what we learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Should accountants be afraid of AI?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot of fear around AI taking jobs, but according to Billie, this narrative is misleading. The real risk isn\u2019t AI replacing accountants\u2014it\u2019s accountants not adapting to AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I were 17 and reading that by the time I qualified, there would be no job for me, I\u2019d probably look at another industry,\u201d Billie says. The concern isn\u2019t job loss, but how firms embrace AI to attract future talent and improve the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI isn\u2019t eliminating roles but changing them, creating opportunities for accountants to add more value to clients through advisory services and automation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will AI create a two-tier accounting industry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A natural divide is emerging between firms that embrace AI and those that resist it – much like the shift to cloud accounting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some firms are still using spreadsheets and calculators for basic tasks, while others are leveraging automation to streamline operations. This gap will only widen, Billie warns. \u201cAI isn\u2019t a magic fix – you need to get the basics right first. If your practice isn\u2019t cloud-based yet, AI won\u2019t be the game-changer you hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple way to get started with AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For firms unsure where to begin, AI-powered note-taking tools are a great entry point. Tools like Fireflies<\/strong> and Gong<\/strong> join meetings, transcribe discussions, summarise key takeaways, and even suggest follow-up actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tools aren\u2019t just about efficiency, they improve collaboration. \u201cPartners often take handwritten notes in hieroglyphics,\u201d Billie jokes. \u201cAI note-takers bridge the gap, ensuring team members have clear, structured information to act on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right AI tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With every software vendor now claiming to use AI, how do accountants cut through the noise? Billie\u2019s advice: don\u2019t get distracted by the AI label, focus on the problem you\u2019re trying to solve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key questions to ask vendors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n