Tax and accounting professionals today are reshaping what it means to deliver value. They’re evolving their strategies, embracing AI and automation, and deepening client relationships to drive sustainable success. This year’s Future Ready Accountant report is your trusted resource for understanding how firms are adapting to rising client expectations, regulatory complexity, and the accelerating pace of technological change.
Why this report matters
Firms worldwide are making bold moves to stay ahead. This report reveals how forward-thinking leaders are transforming their operations, expanding advisory services, and embedding AI into everyday workflows to meet rising expectations.
Inside the Future Ready Accountant report: Combining global benchmarks with regional depth to help APAC firms build smarter, more resilient operations.
- AI as a core capability: How firms are embedding AI into daily workflows to unlock productivity and insight
- Growth with purpose: Why strategic resilience is replacing scale as the growth model
- Advisory-first engagement: How firms are using data and AI to personalise services and expand offerings.
- Private equity and M&A: How investment strategies are evolving, with infrastructure maturity driving investor interest.
- APAC’s digital edge: How APAC firms are using cloud, AI, and integration to redefine efficiency.
- Client engagement in APAC: How APAC firms are leading the shift from compliance to connection.
Immediate PDF ∙ Global benchmarks + APAC analysis
AI is now essential for firm operations: 72% of firms use AI weekly; 77% plan to increase investment to enhance performance and decision-making.
Advisory services are now central to modern client engagement: 65% of firms now offer advisory as a key service, up from 49% in 2024.
Digital maturity is a growth accelerator: High-growth firms are 53% more likely to have highly integrated systems and 38% more likely to be fully cloud-based.
AI Adoption Accelerates Across APAC
- AI has moved from a future concept to a core capability. 81% of accounting and auditing firms in Asia Pacific use AI tools weekly or daily, reflecting widespread integration.
- Firms are advancing AI use. Top priorities include compliance risk detection (57%) and predictive client insights (56%), pointing to more sophisticated applications.
- Advisory services are evolving. The shift toward AI-powered accounting signals a broader move to data-driven, insight-led client engagement.
The Asia Pacific region leads global AI usage, 81% of firms using AI on a daily (43%) or weekly (38%) basis.
Firms in the APAC region are focusing on talent strategies designed to prepare the firm to adapt to technological advances.
Talent Strategy Shifts from Hiring to Upskilling
- Workforce priorities are evolving. Firms are investing in advanced technical skills (33%) and ongoing training (35%) to build future-ready teams
- Recruitment remains a focus. Attracting qualified talent (34%) continues to be a key initiative across the region.
- Upskilling supports transformation. Talent strategies are shifting toward tech-enabled development to meet the demands of modern accounting.
Future tech investment is focused on data, AI and business intelligence
- Firms are moving beyond foundational tools. Investments are shifting toward intelligent automation and advanced analytics to support scalable growth.
- Data and AI are top priorities. 53% of firms plan to enhance business intelligence capabilities, while 49% are implementing AI-enabled tools.
- Technology is driving transformation. These initiatives support regulatory readiness and more client-centric service delivery across APAC.
Firms in the APAC region are focusing on talent strategies designed to prepare the firm to adapt to technological advances.
Tech-forward firms are more likely to pursue strategic growth opportunities, such as strategic partnerships and private equity investments.
Strategic growth through partnerships and private equity
- APAC firms are pursuing bold growth strategies. 57% of firms (67% of tech-forward firms) are interested in engaging in strategic partnerships to accelerate innovation and expand market reach.
- Private equity is gaining traction. 53% of firms (63% of tech-forward firms) are interested in leveraging investment to scale operations and strengthen digital capabilities.
- Growth is tied to long-term vision. These moves reflect a focus on consolidation, digital maturity, and sustainable scalability.
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Value-driven change
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Human-tech synergy
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Augmented advisory
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Next-gen innovation
The tax and accounting profession is used to navigating change and harnessing disruptive forces. Technological change is providing opportunities for professionals to focus on what clients seek most – insightful, value-adding services.
Digitalisation and data analytics continue to be the most transformative forces across the firms I work with in Singapore. Cloud accounting, practice management systems, and AI-powered audit and assurance tools are enabling firms to scale with agility while delivering more tailored client experiences. Accountants are not just adopting technology. They are shaping how it is used responsibly. In Singapore’s fast-moving market, this convergence of human insight and intelligent systems is helping firms evolve into trusted partners, not just service providers.
AI is a key enabler of advisory services, and I see the augmented delivery model as a non-negotiable going forward if firms wish to remain competitive. A point I have laboured is that professionals should not outsource their thinking to AI but instead use it as a tool to enhance their delivery. If professionals are outsourcing their thinking to AI, they are reducing the benefits of AI, and their own utility is brought into question.
Technology is bringing so many opportunities to streamline repetitive processes, increase accuracy and drive efficiency – it’s revitalizing the profession and the next generation of accounting professionals recognise this and are excited by the potential. Client expectations will rise as everyone becomes more familiar with how AI can help us. This will drive innovation and continue to challenge the industry to grow.
More insights from the Future Ready Accountant report
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Press ReleaseTax & AccountingOctober 08, 2025
Wolters Kluwer releases its 2025 Future Ready Accountant report, highlighting key trends in the global tax & accounting industry
Report reveals surge in artificial intelligence adoption with four in five tax and accounting firms globally planning to increase AI investment and a third of them using AI daily
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What does it mean to be a future-ready accounting firm?A future-ready accounting firm is one that actively aligns technology, talent, and strategy to deliver scalable, insight-driven services. These firms embed AI into daily workflows, adopt cloud-based infrastructure, and use client data to personalise advisory services. By integrating advanced tools and developing tech-enabled teams, these firms are positioned to thrive in a fast-changing environment.
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What are the key skills for accountants in 2025?In 2025, accountants need a blend of technical and strategic skills. Advanced data literacy, AI fluency, and cloud technology proficiency are increasingly essential. Soft skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and client communication remain vital as firms shift toward advisory-first models. The most successful professionals will be those who combine financial expertise with the ability to interpret data, deliver insights, and guide clients through complex decisions.
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How are APAC firms using AI in 2025?AI is now a core capability for APAC accounting firms. In 2025, 81% of APAC firms use AI weekly, and 82% plan to increase investment. Firms are leveraging AI for tax research, bookkeeping automation, document summarisation, and client communication. Advanced AI tools help firms streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and deliver personalised advisory services. As trust in AI grows, firms are embedding it into strategic planning and client engagement, making it a key driver of operational efficiency and competitive advantage.
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How can you prepare your firm for digital transformation?Preparing for digital transformation starts with aligning technology, strategy, and people. APAC firms are investing in cloud platforms, AI tools, and integrated systems to modernize operations. Key steps include assessing current infrastructure, training staff in digital tools, and streamlining workflows through automation. In 2025, 57% of APAC firms expanded cloud adoption, and 49% invested in technology integration. Firms that prioritise digital maturity and build agile teams are better equipped to meet client expectations and regulatory demands.
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Who is the Future Ready Accountant report for?The Future Ready Accountant report is designed for leaders shaping the future of the profession. It’s ideal for practice managers and directors, tax, audit and accounting firm partners, advisory and client service leaders, and technology and operations executives. The report offers data-backed insights to help firms to benchmark performance, identify growth opportunities, and build resilient, future-ready strategies.
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How is private equity reshaping the accounting industry?Private equity is accelerating transformation across the accounting industry. Across APAC, 37% of firms report receiving private equity funding in the past three years, and 41% plan to pursue it in the next year. These investments are driving innovation, expanding service offerings, and enabling faster adoption of cloud and AI technologies. Tech-mature firms are more likely to attract investors. While PE offers access to capital and scale, firms must balance growth with cultural alignment and client trust.
The Future Ready Accountant Survey included quantitative interviews of 2,768 tax and accounting professionals from firms of all sizes located across 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region (Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore), Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) and North America (Canada and the United States). The survey was conducted in Q2 of 2025.
The Future Ready Accountant report examines global trends in tax and accounting and takes an in-depth look at the regional trends impacting accounting firms in APAC. You are currently viewing Future Ready Accountant: Asia Pacific edition.
The Future Ready Accountant report examines global trends in tax and accounting and takes an in-depth look at the regional trends impacting accounting firms in APAC. You are currently viewing Future Ready Accountant: Asia Pacific edition.