Will AI Replace Accountants? How to Automate CAS 1.0 – Deneen Dias

The accounting profession has moved past the push to go paperless and the transition to the cloud. What is now directly in front of the industry is the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a recent episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Connect sat down with digital transformation expert Deneen Dias to discuss how AI will impact the accounting industry. They explore how firms can embrace these technological changes to shift away from manual data entry and toward high-value advisory roles.

Meet the Guest: Deneen Dias

Deneen Dias is a recognized leader in the accounting profession with over 17 years of experience helping firms evaluate, implement, and optimize technology. Her expertise lies in guiding firms through digital transformation, leveraging AI and cloud accounting technologies to build scalable, efficient, and client-centric practices. A long-term advocate for modernizing the industry, Deneen is also the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Infinite Ties, a thriving membership community built exclusively for CAS professionals who are shaping the future of advisory services.

What Are Client Advisory Services (CAS)?

While many in the industry initially referred to it as Client Accounting Services, the push today is to redefine CAS as Client Advisory Services.

• CAS represents a move away from historical recording and documenting through traditional financial reports.

• It focuses on real-time reporting, allowing business owners to see exactly what is happening with their cash flow and revenue at any given moment.

• Modern clients are hungry for more than basic tax preparation or compliance work; they want an expert who can talk to them about their business numbers and help them make strategic decisions.

The Evolution: CAS 1.0 vs. CAS 2.0

To successfully implement CAS, it is helpful to understand its evolution:

• CAS 1.0: This encompasses the transactional work of accounting. It includes payroll, bill pay, spend management, and sales and use tax. Many firms get stuck here because this foundational work is incredibly time-consuming.

• CAS 2.0: The goal is to push past transactional tasks into controllership and CFO services. This involves using Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) tools to handle cash flow analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.

How AI is Automating CAS 1.0

So, will AI replace accountants? Not exactly, but it will fundamentally change the daily workload.

• AI and machine learning are perfectly suited to automate the transactional work that defines CAS 1.0.

• As technology takes over manual data entry, the traditional bookkeeper’s role is changing and moving heavily into a role of review.

• With AI handling the heavy lifting of CAS 1.0, firms can free up their talent to focus on higher-tier advisory services.

Why AI Won’t Replace the Accountant

• While AI can gather data and spot trends, business owners still need a professional to look at the data and help them make meaning of the numbers.

• AI is a tool that will make advisory work faster and more fun, empowering accountants to have richer conversations with their clients.

• Professionals must still act as the interpreter and buffer between the technology and the client, especially since AI can occasionally hallucinate or provide misinformation.

Smart Strategies for Integrating AI

With so much new technology flooding the market, many accounting firms are experiencing “change fatigue” and feeling overwhelmed about where to start.

• You do not need to “rip and replace” your current software systems.

• The platforms you are already using and paying for—such as QuickBooks and Bill.com—are actively infusing AI agents into their tech stacks.

• Instead of trying to learn complex prompt engineering, simply lean in, learn the platforms you already have, and leverage the AI features they are rolling out.

How to Package and Price CAS Offerings

CAS is the fastest-growing new revenue source for traditional firms, seeing 20% to 30% growth compared to flat audit revenue and 5% tax growth. To package these services effectively without scaring off current clients, firms can use a simple three-tiered pricing analogy:

• Biking (CAS 1.0): Basic transactional work and bookkeeping to keep the business moving, typically priced around $1,000 a month.

• Driving (Controllership): Analyzing data and cash flow to drive the business forward, typically around $3,000 a month.

• Flying (CFO Services): High-level strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 a month. By transitioning to this model, firms unlock recurring revenue 12 months out of the year and can bill clients on the first of the month before the work is even done.

Building the Confidence to Advise

Shifting to an advisory model requires upskilling staff, particularly in soft skills and getting comfortable talking to customers about their data.

• The truth is, many tax partners are already giving this type of valuable business advice—they just aren’t charging for it.

• To build confidence across the firm, leaders should bring their team members into client meetings.

• Allowing staff to listen to these conversations exposes them to the advice being given and helps them develop the “muscle” required for advisory discussions.

Conclusion

Building a CAS practice and integrating AI is not a quick hit; it takes time, a strategic business plan, and a willingness to build new muscles. However, stepping into this forward-thinking space allows you to offer immense value, solve cash flow problems for your clients, and get paid what you are truly worth.

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