The accounting industry is at an inflection point: rising workloads, talent shortages, and PE-driven consolidation are colliding with rising demand.
According to Jeff Seibert, Founder and CEO of Digits, the world's first Agentic General Ledger™(AGL), "the solution and the transformation won't come from hiring; instead, they will come from AI."
Seibert went on to say, "By the end of 2026, the month-end close will be largely automated. And that single shift will unlock a fundamental renaissance in what it means to be an accountant, one that directly addresses the talent shortage by making the work far more meaningful, attractive, and sustainable."
So, what are Seibert's predictions for 2026, and why do they matter? Let's take a glimpse at what this AI-Accounting pioneer has to say:
Why the Month-End Close Falls First - AI now excels at automating the close process: predictive models classify transactions accurately, extraction models read financial documents, and AI agents handle tasks once done by staff. As these tools integrate with ledgers, transactions post automatically, statements reconcile instantly, and work-papers update in real time. The close becomes a seamless, automated background function, replacing much of the manual team effort previously required.
The Renaissance This Unlocks: Automation isn't just about efficiency; it frees accountants to focus on more meaningful work. Instead of coding transactions or chasing receipts, they can advise, interpret, and build client relationships. AI reduces burnout by automating tedious tasks, making the profession more attractive and allowing firms to grow without increasing staff in proportion. Ultimately, AI supports accountants by enhancing job satisfaction and enabling impactful work.
AI That Knows the Business - Contextual intelligence marks a significant shift: unlike traditional software that only stores data, AI understands business operations, billing cycles, spending habits, vendor-customer relationships, and industry norms. This lets the system adjust for each sector without manual rules. It forms the backbone of fully automated processes, significantly reducing routine workloads.
Where Firms Should Focus Between Now and 2026 - Firms are facing a key choice to add AI tools to old workflows or use an AI-native foundation to automate closing. Point solutions bring minor gains but won't resolve talent shortages. A fundamental transformation occurs when predictive models, document intelligence, and agents work together to enable seamless automation and unified audit trails. Choosing platforms that continually improve is crucial, as the divide between AI-native and AI-assisted firms will only grow.
A Profession Returning to Its Purpose - Accounting exists to bring clarity to complexity, enabling better decisions and stronger risk management. Over time, the tools and systems accountants relied on shifted more manual, repetitive work into the role, increasing the effort required to deliver that clarity. Automating the month-end close removes much of that burden and re-centers the profession on judgment, insight, and advisory work. By 2026, accounting will enter a period of renewal, one that restores professional pride and engagement and makes the field more compelling to the next generation of accountants.
Jeff doesn't believe this shift is either distant or speculative; he believes it's imminent. And it will reshape how businesses, clients, and accountants themselves think about the profession.
