Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Many clerical accounting tasks are already done with computer systems, and AI is building on that. For example, the BLS notes that bookkeeping clerks today use “specialized accounting software, spreadsheets, and databases” to record transactions and produce reports ^{[1] [1]}. New AI-driven tools are now automating more of these steps.

One startup, Basis, uses AI “agents” to enter transactions and check data accuracy automatically, connecting to systems like QuickBooks and Xero ^[2]. Another, Rillet, offers an “AI-powered ledger” that pulls data from banks and sales platforms to update accounts and close the books much faster ^[2]. In practice, these tools can scan invoices, code entries, do the math, and even draft financial statements.

Experts say that as AI takes over routine number-crunching, human clerks will focus more on reviewing and interpreting the results ^{[3] [2]}.

There are strong reasons for firms to adopt AI tools for bookkeeping, but also reasons to go slowly. On the one hand, the tech is commercially available and promises big efficiency gains. Software companies (and new AI startups) are adding features to automate bookkeeping tasks.

In cases described by Reuters, using AI cut one firm’s accounting workload by about 30% ^[2], and another service advertises that teams can “close books within hours instead of weeks” ^[2]. These time-savings, plus a looming shortage of accountants (as many retire and fewer younger people enter bookkeeping) ^[2], give businesses economic reasons to try AI.