AI for Accountancy Firms in Ireland

The problem

Where time and value are being lost.

Repetitive onboarding

Client onboarding pulls partner and senior time into formatting, chasing and rekeying that should be easier.

Report commentary at month-end

Management report write-ups bunch around month-end and slow the rest of the team.

Scattered firm knowledge

Technical guidance, prior workpapers and template letters live across people, folders and inboxes.

Relevant workflows

What we typically build first.

Workflow 01

Client onboarding assistant

Input: Engagement forms, intake emails, prior accounts
Output: Structured client summary and missing-information checklist
Value: Faster onboarding, fewer incomplete files

Workflow 02

Management report commentary

Input: Trial balance commentary notes and prior month report
Output: Draft commentary for partner review
Value: Faster month-end turnaround

Workflow 03

Meeting summaries

Input: Client call notes or transcript
Output: Structured record, follow-ups and draft email
Value: Less admin and better records

Workflow 04

Tax research support

Input: Question plus approved internal guidance
Output: Structured research brief with citations and review prompts
Value: Faster research with consistent quality

Workflow 05

Client communication

Input: Meeting outcome or workpaper note
Output: Draft client letter or email for review
Value: Faster response, clearer communication

Workflow 06

Internal knowledge assistant

Input: Approved manuals, templates and prior advice
Output: Searchable answers linked to internal sources
Value: Less repeated internal work

Worked example

Unstructured client notes into a structured summary.

Drafted with AI assistance. Awaiting professional review. Nothing is sent automatically.

Before

Call w/ client - Tues PM Yr-end Sept, mgmt accts mostly clean Director loan account up €18k since Jul New EV purchased, want BIK position VAT return: 1 invoice missing supplier Wants forecast for bank by month-end

After · Horizon AI draft

Client context

Year-end Sept. Management accounts largely reconciled. Director loan account has increased €18,000 since July.

Missing information

One supplier invoice outstanding from VAT period. EV registration and BIK classification details required.

Draft follow-up email

Confirms next steps, requests the missing invoice, outlines the proposed BIK approach and commits to a draft forecast by month-end.

Internal action list

Open BIK workpaper, draft year-end forecast template, queue tax position letter for partner review.

Governance

Designed so professionals stay in control.

Client confidentiality and access controls scoped before any data is used.
Approved internal sources rather than open-web AI for technical questions.
Partner review on every client-facing output.
Clear separation between business workflow design and any regulated advice.

External signal

Relevant context for accountancy & tax.

Profession-wide guidance is forming

Chartered Accountants Ireland and ICAEW have both published guidance on practical, controlled AI use in accountancy practices.

Source: Chartered Accountants Ireland · ICAEW

EU AI Act in force

The EU AI Act is being phased in from 2025, with requirements around transparency and human oversight relevant to firms using AI in client work.

Source: European Commission · EU AI Act

Implementation gap

Buying AI licences is straightforward. Redesigning workflows, introducing controls and demonstrating measurable return is where most firms get stuck.

Source: Industry observation across Irish practices

AI workflows for accountancy and tax firms.