AI Era Not a Threat, Accounting Graduates Still in High Demand
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has raised various questions about the future of a number of professions, including accounting. Many people are beginning to wonder whether the role of accountants will still be needed when various applications are already capable of recording transactions, compiling financial reports, and performing data analysis automatically. However, the need for professional workers in the accounting field is still showing a positive trend. Amid the digital transformation taking place across various industrial sectors, companies still require human resources who are able to understand and translate financial data into a basis for business decision-making. This is evident from the growing digital business and e-commerce sectors, which generate large volumes of transactions daily. Such complex financial data requires supervision, analysis, and interpretation that cannot be fully performed by technology.
The Head of Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika (UBSI) Bogor Campus, Sugiono, stated that AI technology does help make accounting work faster and more efficient. However, technology cannot replace the human ability to analyse business conditions and provide strategic considerations. “AI is capable of processing large amounts of data quickly, but business decisions still require contextual understanding, risk analysis, and professional judgement. Therefore, the accounting profession is still very much needed and is actually evolving to keep pace with technological changes,” Sugiono said.
According to him, the role of accountants today is no longer limited to recording transactions and preparing financial reports. The working world requires professionals who are able to utilise technology while comprehensively understanding business conditions. A clear example can be seen in companies running businesses through various digital platforms, from marketplaces and social media to websites. These activities generate large and diverse transaction data, requiring accurate management so that companies can make the right decisions. Furthermore, dynamic economic conditions, such as fluctuations in the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar, also demand that companies perform financial analysis quickly and accurately. In such situations, an accountant’s ability to read data and provide strategic recommendations becomes very important.
He mentioned that these changes in industry needs are encouraging higher education institutions to adjust their learning curricula. Today’s accounting graduates are not only required to understand accounting principles but must also be proficient in technology and data analysis. As a Digital Creative Campus, UBSI Bogor campus offers a flagship S1 Plus Accounting Study Programme designed to meet these needs. Students not only learn the basics of accounting and financial reporting but are also equipped with an understanding of accounting information systems, business data processing, and the utilisation of digital technology in the workplace. Sugiono explained that a learning approach combining accounting competence and technology is one of the keys to ensuring graduates can compete in the era of digital transformation. “We want students not only to be experts in accounting but also to be able to utilise technology to improve the quality of analysis and decision-making. This combination of competencies is currently the most sought after by the industry,” he said. The UBSI Bogor campus S1 Plus Accounting Programme offers a dual degree scheme, providing added value for graduates when entering the workforce. The curriculum, structured to follow industry needs, allows students to gain learning experiences relevant to modern business developments. With a combination of accounting competence, technological mastery, and comprehensive career development support, graduates of the UBSI Bogor Accounting Study Programme are expected to be able to pursue careers in various fields, ranging from accounting analyst, auditor, and financial consultant to accounting information system developer. “The AI era is not a threat to accounting students who continue to develop themselves. On the contrary, it is a great opportunity to create professionals who are more adaptive, possess strong analytical skills, and are ready to face the challenges of an increasingly digital working world,” concluded Sugiono.