Accounting & CPA — Why Big Tech's Push into Accounting Automation Is About to Reshape the Entire Profession

Accounting & CPA · 2026-03-21

Today's developments reveal a transformative moment in the accounting industry, marked by leadership changes at the highest levels, technological innovation in tax processing, and a significant shift in litigation risk. KPMG's leadership transition signals potential strategic shifts at one of the Big Four, while new technology solutions from Remitian and Campfire represent an acceleration in…

OPENING This week's accounting technology announcements reveal an unmistakable acceleration in the automation of core accounting functions, from tax payments to reconciliation work. While many professionals view these developments as mere efficiency tools, they represent something far more profound: the fundamental restructuring of how accounting work will be performed in the coming decade.

The launch of Campfire's Ember Agents and Remitian's Tax Payment API signals a decisive shift in how technology companies are approaching accounting automation. These aren't just incremental improvements to existing software – they represent a new philosophy about the role of human accountants. Where previous generations of accounting software aimed to assist professionals with their tasks, these new platforms are explicitly designed to replace entire categories of human work. The promise of "accounting teammates who handle the manual, recurring work you don't want to do" is both alluring and unsettling, depending on where you sit in the profession.

This technological revolution arrives just as the industry's traditional power structure is evolving. KPMG's leadership transition comes at a crucial moment when Big Four firms must navigate both technological disruption and changing client expectations. The acquisition of Soaring Bird Solutions by REDW demonstrates how mid-sized firms are diversifying their service offerings, recognizing that traditional accounting work alone may not secure their future.

Perhaps most telling is the sharp decline in accounting-related securities class actions to record lows. This trend suggests that improved compliance technologies and automated controls are already having a meaningful impact on financial reporting quality. The profession is becoming more precise and less error-prone, but this improvement comes with implications for traditional accounting roles.

WHAT TO WATCH The next month will be critical for firms of all sizes as they evaluate their automation strategies. Watch for more mid-tier firms to either acquire technology capabilities or form strategic partnerships with emerging platforms. The real question isn't whether to embrace automation – that ship has sailed – but how to restructure service offerings and team compositions to thrive in an increasingly automated profession. Those who view current technological advances as mere efficiency tools risk missing the broader revolution reshaping the entire accounting landscape.