Why I Think Every Accounting Firm Leader Should Be Paying Attention to AI Right Now

I recently finished reading Build, Buy, or Disappear: The AI Playbook for UK Accounting Practices by Richard Plasek, and it left me thinking about how quickly the accounting profession is changing.

There are countless books and articles about artificial intelligence today. Most focus on tools, prompts, automation hacks, or productivity improvements. While those topics are useful, what I found refreshing about this book is that it looks at AI from a completely different angle.

Richard doesn't ask, "How can accountants use AI?"

Instead, he asks a much bigger question:

How will AI affect the future value and survival of accounting firms?

That distinction is what made this book stand out for me.

AI Is No Longer Just About Efficiency

For years, conversations around AI in accounting have revolved around automation.

Can AI automate bookkeeping?

Can it reduce administrative tasks?

Can it improve compliance processes?

The answer to all of these questions is yes.

But after reading this book, I came away with the feeling that many firms may be focusing on the wrong conversation.

The bigger issue isn't whether AI can save time.

The bigger issue is whether firms have a strategy for a future where AI becomes embedded in every part of the accounting ecosystem.

Richard makes a compelling argument that AI is becoming a valuation issue, not simply a technology issue.

The Accounting Industry Is Entering a New Era

One of the things I appreciated most was how clearly the book maps out the forces reshaping the profession.

Accounting firms are no longer competing only with other accounting firms.

They are increasingly competing against:

• Neobanks that bundle accounting services into their platforms

• Software providers that are becoming AI-powered business ecosystems

• Private equity-backed consolidators with significant technology budgets

• AI-native firms that can operate with dramatically lower overheads

When viewed through that lens, AI stops looking like another software upgrade and starts looking like a strategic necessity.

Not Every Firm Needs the Same Strategy

Another reason I enjoyed the book is that it avoids the common mistake of offering one-size-fits-all advice.

Richard separates firms into two broad categories.

For smaller and independent practices, the recommendation is to leverage existing AI tools, automate routine work, and invest more time in client relationships and advisory services.

For larger firms and PE-backed organizations, the opportunity may be to build proprietary AI systems, create software assets, and develop new revenue streams.

That distinction feels practical and realistic.

Too many discussions about AI assume every business has the same resources, goals, and challenges. This book acknowledges that different firms require different strategies.

The Section That Really Got My Attention

The part of the book that I found most interesting was the discussion around valuation.

Most firm owners think about revenue growth, profitability, and client retention.

But what happens when investors begin valuing firms differently?

What happens when technology assets, proprietary AI systems, and recurring software revenue become major factors in valuation?

The book explores this idea in detail and presents scenarios that highlight how significantly AI strategy could influence a firm's future worth.

Whether or not you agree with every projection, the underlying message is difficult to ignore.

The market is changing.

And firms that prepare early may have advantages that become increasingly difficult for competitors to replicate.

Why This Book Matters

I believe this book will resonate with:

• Accounting firm owners

• Managing partners

• CFOs

• Finance leaders

• Private equity investors

• Professional service consultants

• Anyone interested in the future of AI within accounting

What I appreciated most is that the book is not a technical manual.

You won't find coding tutorials or software setup instructions.

Instead, it focuses on strategic thinking, leadership decisions, competitive positioning, governance, and long-term value creation.

Those are the conversations that many firms need to be having right now.

Why I'm Sharing This on Fika

I share books on Fika when I believe they contribute something meaningful to an important conversation.

AI is one of the most discussed topics in business today, but much of the content online focuses on short-term productivity gains.

This book takes a broader view.

It explores how AI may reshape an entire profession over the next decade and challenges leaders to think beyond automation toward strategy, competitive advantage, and valuation.

Whether you're directly involved in accounting or simply interested in how AI is transforming professional services, I think you'll find plenty of valuable ideas here.

If you're looking for a thoughtful, strategic perspective on where the accounting profession may be heading, Build, Buy, or Disappear: The AI Playbook for UK Accounting Practices is well worth adding to your reading list.

Sometimes the most important business decisions aren't about technology at all.

They're about positioning yourself for the future before everyone else realizes the future has already arrived.