Congratulations to Dr. Tim V. Eaton, EY Teaching Scholar and Professor of Accountancy, and Addison Lemon, EY Undergraduate Scholar, on the publication of their insightful article, “AI is no longer optional.” The article appears on page 17 of the July/August 2026 issue of the International Accountant Magazine
The article examines how artificial intelligence is becoming the next essential skill for accountants, revolutionizing how work gets done and enhancing the quality of financial insights (see graphic below). The authors compare the emergence of AI technology to the introduction of personal computers in the 1980s.
The authors cite evidence showing that AI complements rather than replaces professional expertise, highlighting that accountants using these tools spend 8.5% less time on traditional transaction processing while producing reports with 12% greater detail. By automating mundane tasks, the authors note, professionals can shift their focus toward high-value activities such as strategic analysis, professional judgment, and ethical decision-making.
Finally, the article provides a “getting started” roadmap for AI implementation, along with questions to consider regarding data security, safety, and human oversight.
We thank EY for its continued support of the Teacher Scholar program. These collaborations between faculty and students showcase the power of our experiential learning approach, providing students like Addison with a unique opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research that helps define the future.