AI will replace your job they say, but I am not yet convinced it’s replacing mine.
I was dealing with a highly complex technical accounting matter last month at work. One of the Senior folks who liked Claude AI asked it for an answer and it went on to write a memo. It was shared with me and I acknowledged some part of it that were correct and others which weren’t, especially the significant judgement required in the matter.
I maintained my view that the outcome from Claude is not supportable because I have spent time doing a comprehensive research on the topic and based on my judgement applied as applicable.
After so many back and forth including trying to use the Claude AI justification, the final outcome was my original view even that wasn’t the derided outcome. There are instances where you don’t won’t the argument with the auditors and I do acknowledge that when that happens. This was one of those cases where I knew earlier on.
Don’t get me wrong about AI. I use AI at work too, in fact I use it when building a line of thought, when I need a quick reference from an establish guide or some generic basic questions that I need answers from.
I built a Technical Accounting Gem - ‘TAGify’ for my colleagues for their quick IFRS questions or quick references to my company’s accounting policy. But in the end, when there are more complex accounting matters which involves detailed research, judgements and interpretation, you need a Technical Accounting Expert.
Suffice to say, AI is not taking my job anytime soon.