Webinars On-Demand

Accountants' Discussion Forum: Rebooting Accounting with AI - Opportunities, Risks & Responsible Practice

Overview   

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept. It is a present reality that is actively reshaping the accounting profession. From practice management and compliance to tax, assurance, ethics and advisory services, AI is transforming how accounting professionals work, the value they deliver to clients and the risks they must navigate.  

This webinar will equip practitioners with the insight and tools to embrace AI confidently while safeguarding professional standards. You will gain clarity on how AI can streamline workflows, improve efficiency, strengthen compliance and unlock higher-value advisory opportunities while also addressing the risks of automation, misinformation and ethical dilemmas. 

Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) for a session designed to help you integrate AI into your professional work with confidence. Caryn will share a framework for ethical AI use, practical strategies for safe adoption and a clear roadmap of the skills and competencies your firm needs to remain competitive in an AI-driven future.  

Learning objectives and competencies developed 

Through an in-depth analysis of the latest regulatory developments, real-world case studies and practical examples, this webinar will equip you with the following competencies:   

• Understand the current and emerging uses of AI in accounting, tax, assurance and compliance. 

• Identify practical opportunities for integrating AI into practice workflows to improve efficiency and service delivery. 

• Recognise the ethical and professional responsibilities when using AI, with reference to the IFAC Code of Ethics, IRBA and South African legislation. 

• Evaluate the risks of AI and discover strategies to safeguard professional judgment, protect data security and preserve strong client relationships. 

• Identify the skills, roles and competencies that accountants, trainees and firms will need to stay competitive in an AI-driven future.   

Content to be discussed 

The following topics are under discussion for this month:  

• Introduction to AI in the Accounting Profession 

  • Definition of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Generative AI. 

  • Overview of global and South African adoption trends. 

  • AI as a tool: augmentation vs. automation. 

• AI in Practice Management & Capacity Building 

  • Workflow automation tools for scheduling, reminders, document handling. 

  • AI in client onboarding and KYC procedures. 

  • AI for training, knowledge sharing, and technical research. 

• AI in Taxation & SARS Interaction 

  • SARS automation: auto-assessments, VAT risk flagging, third-party data matching. 

  • Using AI for tax risk reviews and objection letter drafting. 

  • Risks of AI-generated tax advice and practitioner liability. 

• AI in Compliance: FIC & CIPC 

  • AI-assisted suspicious transaction monitoring. 

  • Beneficial ownership register verification. 

  • Data protection and POPIA compliance considerations. 

• AI in Assurance & Financial Reporting 

  • Data analytics and anomaly detection in audits. 

  • Risks of over-reliance on client AI outputs. 

  • Drafting financial statements with AI – opportunities and pitfalls. 

• Ethics of AI Use in the Profession 

  • Applying the IFAC Code principles in AI contexts. 

  • Confidentiality, bias, “black box” decisions. 

  • Ethical decision-making framework for AI use. 

• Threats and Opportunities 

  • Professional threats: commoditisation, misinformation, reputational risk. 

  • Opportunities: AI-enabled advisory, upskilling, service innovation. 

  • Impact on trainees and the profession’s talent pipeline. 

• Practical AI Literacy for Accountants 

  • AI do’s and don’ts checklist. 

  • Engagement letter clauses for AI usage. 

  • Identifying safe vs. high-risk AI applications.