Let’s start with the vendors

We still have a mix of the traditional, do-it-all vendors and the newer, cloud-based, API-swinging providers of specialist products

A cynical person may suggest simply renaming a product to include the term “AI” is not actually a solution if the product retains its 1990’s paradigm

(We’re being polite here, as some of them are still “modernising” the 1980’s stuff)

Before believing any of their assertions, we suggest you recall what they were saying about the cloud very few years ago – “you don’t need the cloud”

When doing your due diligence, look for phrases like

• “AI-powered” this that and the other” 
• “fleet of AI agents” 
• “the power of applied AI”

…and run away!

Accounting firms

We’re being bombarded by conflicting information and promises

Many of the trade conferences have been talking about AI for well over two years and the end doesn’t appear to be in sight

Have you decided whether AI is the solution to our problems or just an undercooked, overhyped solution looking for a problem? 

Cynare

AI – nothing new

It’s been around for over 70 years

Alan Turing and his mates worked on it in the 1940’s and 1950’s and it was adopted as an academic field in 1956

Cynare’s CIO has a 33-year-old AI qualification from his degree days

The big difference is we now have the computing power required for mainstream adoption (helped by the hype from the vendors who spot something new to sell)

 

AI – many flavours

You need to understand the differences between the following

• Machine learning 
• Large language models 
• Neural networks 

You’ll hear enthusiasts talking about

• Generic chatbots (ChatGPT, public data etc)
• Agentic bots (AI bots acting autonomously)  
• AI endpoints (plugging AI into workflows)
• Product Copilots (Chatbots with context of a single product/data source)
• Enterprise chatbots (eg ChatGPT plus private data)

AI – business and reputational risks

We suggest AI is not yet mature enough to form the core of operations and now is the time for targeted change rather than total transformation

The various failures of legal and accounting firms in their use of AI are well-documented, so we won’t say any more here

 

AI – financial sense or a bottomless pit

Accounting firm members aren’t known for their comfort with bleeding edge technology

Failure is common in AI projects 

• MIT suggests 95% have no cost savings or enhanced profits 
• Capgemini agrees, saying 88% of AI projects fail to make it to production 
• Forbes has a simple view – 85% of AI models fail  
• S&P says 42% of pilots abandoned 

The challenge is the same as any technology project – people and process 

 

AI – needs proper policies and training

Please, please ensure you have the policies in place regarding your firm’s use of AI and be open with your Clients, insurers and commentators about this

Wouldn’t it be funny if firms used AI to write their AI policies…?

We then need to learn how to talk to large language models (massive databases of documents)

We need to understand the difference between information derived from searches within our own Firm’s domain and information gathered from anywhere in the world

 

AI – regulation

Don’t get me started!

However, I note the HMRC’s “Guidelines for using generative artificial intelligence if you’re a software developer” only came out at the end of January 2026

 

AI – Cynare’s products

We use Microsoft Copilot and associated tools, such as Microsoft Fabric, for our AI solutions.

We provide Users with an intuitive way to access and understand Client information by allowing them to ask natural language questions

Users can search across

• Document management system
• Microsoft Office
• Practice management system
• Production systems, such as taxation, audit and workflow
• The Government

Users are able to get faster answers, prepare for Client conversations more confidently, identify outstanding actions more easily, and spend less time on administration. By bringing relevant Client information together in one conversational experience, the tools make day-to-day work simpler, quicker and more consistent for teams

Using the power of our integration system; CynareLink, it works with any “open” data source

Example uses

Check document completion status

Confirm whether a Client has actioned or signed required documents

Summarise Client information

Summarise the latest documents or key information for a specific Client or Client group

Prepare for Client meetings

Pull together the most relevant Client information; documents, actions, etc ahead of a meeting

Monitor outstanding liabilities

Identify Clients with outstanding liabilities, group them by partner, and flag issues that are over a year old

Review Client financial exposure to your firm and others

Identify which Clients owe the most money or represent the largest outstanding balances

Track work progress

Check the current position on Client work, such as progress on accounts production

Identify upcoming renewal activity

Find Clients due for their regular engagement letter renewals