By Marc Staut.
If you feel like the pace of technological change in the accounting profession has gone from a job to a sprint, you’re not alone. Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, new client expectations and pressure on business models are reshaping how firms operate. Leaders need to figure out which technologies to invest in and equip their teams to use them effectively. That’s where digital fluency comes in.
What is digital fluency?
Digital fluency is more than knowing how to navigate an app or run a report in Power BI. It’s about having the confidence and skills to apply technology in meaningful ways, whether that’s automating reconciliations, drafting an engagement letter with AI or spotting anomalies in a client’s financials.
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Right now, the skills gap is real. A 2024 survey by RightWorks found that 73% of accounting firm leaders are not using AI in any way. And Software Oasis reports that more than half of accountants lack advanced Excel or Power BI modeling skills.
At the same time, digitally fluent companies were 2.7 times more likely to see high revenue growth over the past three years, according to Accenture. That’s a clear indication that digital fluency pays off.
Overcoming the readiness barrier
Your firm is only as ready for change as the individuals within it. Sit with that idea for a moment. You can sign licenses and set a strategy, but if your staff feel anxious or excluded from the conversation, adoption will stall.
This is why building a common digital language matters. Glossaries, training sessions and peer mentoring can help bridge gaps. When everyone understands the terms and feels comfortable asking questions, you reduce resistance and increase collaboration across the firm.
Training is a strategic imperative
Too often, firm leaders treat training as a “nice-to-have.” But the numbers tell a different story. Karbon’s 2025 State of AI in Accounting Report found that firms that invest in AI training unlock the equivalent of seven weeks of added capacity per employee per year.
That’s a return on investment no firm can ignore. The key is variety: mixing hands-on workshops, e-learning modules and just-in-time resources embedded in the tools your people already use. Peer mentoring and digital champions help reinforce learning in real-time.
From fear to fluency
Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Many professionals still fear that AI and automation are here to replace them. The mindset shift you need to lead through that fear is simple but powerful. We’re not adopting technology to replace human expertise. It’s about augmenting capabilities.
AI can handle routine tasks like reconciling accounts and drafting documents. But it’s your people who bring context, judgment and client relationships—the things clients truly value. Framing adoption as augmentation creates psychological safety and space for experimentation.
The power of prompts
Effective prompt writing can create quick wins and help you start building digital fluency quickly. Think of prompts as the new queries, templates or formulas that drive insights and automation. Without effective prompts, you leave 50% to 80% of the value of AI tools on the table.
A good prompt can transform messy meeting notes into a clear action plan, generate client-ready emails or simplify audit documentation.
A good prompt includes:
- Context. What is the topic? Who is the AI pretending to be?
- Task. What do I want it to do? Explain, summarize, draft or convert?
- Format. What form should the output take? Email, memo, bullets?
- Constraints. Are there any limits on tone, length, technical level or audience?
Here’s an example:
“You are a tax CPA writing to a CFO who is non-technical. Summarize the changes to Section 174
amortization rules from the 2022 TCJA guidance in three bullet points, each under 25 words.”
Create a shared prompt library in your firm to save time and ensure consistency and quality.
Build a network of champions
Not everyone in your firm needs to be a tech wizard. But you do need champions who are naturally curious, respected by their peers and able to explain the benefits of technology in plain language. Champions accelerate adoption and help build momentum. Pair them with executive sponsorship, clear metrics and regular communication, and you’ve got a formula for lasting success.
Fluency is the future
Here’s your roadmap to get started building digital fluency:
- Conduct a digital readiness assessment to get a baseline of skills, comfort levels and adoption across your team
- Identify your digital champions and empower them to lead by example
- Schedule AI prompt training to start moving from anxiety to advantage
Digital fluency is no longer optional. It’s a growth driver, a talent strategy and a client experience play, all in one. To stay competitive, you need to invest in your people as much as your platforms. When you do, you’ll keep up with the pace of change and set the pace for others.
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Marc Staut is a shareholder and the chief innovation and technology officer at Boomer Consulting, Inc.
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