Accounting and tax advisory firms are adopting AI platforms at record speed to automate manual work, improve accuracy, and deliver more strategic, real-time advice. If you’re wondering which AI platforms are used by accounting and tax advisory firms, the answer spans several categories: large language models (LLMs), cloud accounting suites with embedded AI, specialised tax engines, document automation tools, and workflow platforms with built‑in AI assistants.

Below is a structured overview of the main AI platforms in use today, what they’re used for, and how firms are combining them to modernise their practices.

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1. Foundation AI and LLM Platforms Used by Accounting and Tax Firms

Most firms now build their AI capabilities on top of large language model (LLM) platforms. These tools power research, drafting, summarisation, and internal “tax assistant” chatbots.

1.1 OpenAI (ChatGPT, API, and Enterprise)

OpenAI is one of the most widely used AI platforms in professional services:

• ChatGPT (including ChatGPT Plus / Team / Enterprise)

  • Used for: drafting client emails, explaining complex tax concepts in plain language, brainstorming tax planning scenarios, summarising long documents, creating checklists.
  • Why firms like it: natural, conversational interface; broad knowledge; rapid iteration; access controls in Enterprise editions.

• OpenAI API

  • Used for: embedding AI into internal tools, building custom tax Q&A assistants, automating document analysis, generating working paper narratives, and creating internal knowledge search bots.
  • Often integrated with: practice management tools, document management systems, and data warehouses.

Typical use cases in tax and accounting:

• Draft first-pass memos on new tax legislation for internal review.
• Summarise tax rulings or case law into bullet points.
• Create “What changed this year?” summaries for year‑end tax updates.
• Convert technical tax guidance into client‑friendly explanations, then have a partner review for compliance.

1.2 Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service

Many mid‑to‑large accounting and tax advisory firms prefer Azure OpenAI because it combines OpenAI models with Microsoft’s enterprise security, compliance, and data controls.

• What it provides:

  • Access to GPT‑4 and related models inside the Azure ecosystem.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint).
  • Enterprise‑grade security, data residency options, and compliance posture (important for firms handling sensitive financial data).

• Typical firm use:

  • Internal AI “helpdesk” for tax policies and procedures using data from SharePoint.
  • Automated drafting of engagement letters and proposals in Word.
  • Excel analysis assistants that interpret complex spreadsheets and produce insights or narrative explanations.
  • Teams bots that answer staff queries about internal processes and tax workflows.

1.3 Google Cloud Vertex AI and Gemini

Some firms use Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and Gemini models, particularly those already invested in Google Workspace or GCP.

• Uses:
  • Building custom tax research assistants that search internal knowledge bases.
  • Natural language access to data stored in BigQuery (e.g., “Show me clients with large year‑on‑year variance in deductible expenses”).
  • Document extraction and classification for invoices, receipts, and contracts.

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2. AI Built into Cloud Accounting and Firm Management Platforms

Many accounting and tax advisory firms don’t start with standalone AI tools; they adopt AI via functionality embedded in the systems they already use.

2.1 QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage AI Features

QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage have progressively integrated AI capabilities:

• QuickBooks

  • Smart categorisation of transactions.
  • Cash‑flow forecasting and anomaly detection.
  • Automated invoice creation and reminders.

• Xero

  • Bank reconciliation aids and pattern recognition.
  • AI‑enhanced coding suggestions for transactions.
  • Reporting templates and insights that surface unusual trends.

• Sage

  • Sage Copilot and similar assistants that answer questions about a client’s finances.
  • Automated error detection, reconciliation support, and predictive analytics.

These tools are used daily by bookkeeping teams and small‑to‑mid‑sized firms to:

• Reduce manual coding and reconciliation work.
• Identify unusual or high‑risk transactions.
• Provide faster, data‑driven financial commentary to clients.

2.2 Practice Management Platforms with AI

Several practice management tools now include AI assistants and automation:

• Karbon, Canopy, and Jetpack Workflow

  • AI‑assisted task descriptions, client communication templates, and deadline tracking.
  • Automated extraction of data from client emails and attachments.
  • Smart suggestions for next steps based on workflow history.

• Intapp, Thomson Reuters Onvio, Wolters Kluwer CCH practice tools (for larger firms)

  • Used by top-tier firms for matter management, risk assessment, and compliance tracking.
  • AI helps with conflict checks, routing work to the right team, and deriving analytics from engagement history.

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3. AI Platforms Specific to Tax Research and Compliance

When firms ask which AI platforms are used by accounting and tax advisory firms, they’re often most interested in tax‑specific tools that are aware of legislation, rulings, and guidance.

3.1 Thomson Reuters Checkpoint and CoCounsel Core

• Thomson Reuters Checkpoint

  • Long‑standing tax research platform with integrated search and analysis tools.
  • Increasing AI features to surface relevant authorities, summarise changes, and suggest related content.

• CoCounsel Core (via Thomson Reuters + Casetext)

  • An AI legal assistant used for research, answer generation, and document review.
  • Some firms use it for complex tax research and drafting initial analyses, subject to human review.

3.2 Wolters Kluwer CCH Axcess and CCH AnswerConnect

• CCH Axcess

  • Cloud tax preparation and compliance suite with AI‑driven diagnostics and e‑filing checks.
  • Suggests potential issues, missing forms, or inconsistent entries.

• CCH AnswerConnect

  • Tax research platform enhanced with AI to surface relevant content and summarise topics.
  • Used by tax advisory teams to quickly locate authoritative guidance and generate first‑draft explanations.

3.3 Bloomberg Tax & Accounting

• Used widely in larger tax advisory and accounting practices, especially those working with multinational clients:

  • AI‑supported search and navigation of complex tax content.
  • Tools for transfer pricing, international tax planning, and legislative tracking.
  • Analytics‑driven insights into tax implications across jurisdictions.

3.4 Other Specialist Tax AI Tools

Depending on region and niche, firms also use:

• Tax Foresight / Blue J Legal – predictive analytics on how courts might decide tax cases.
• TaxModel, Longview, and OneSource – for international tax provisioning, TP documentation, and scenario modelling, increasingly incorporating AI‑driven analytics.
• Indigov, Avalara, Sovos – for indirect tax, sales tax, and VAT compliance, with rules engines and AI‑supported classification.

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4. AI for Document Automation and Data Extraction

Accounting and tax advisory practices handle a huge volume of documents: bank statements, invoices, contracts, trial balances, and client questionnaires. AI‑powered document tools are now foundational.

4.1 OCR and Intelligent Document Processing Platforms

• Kofax, ABBYY, UiPath Document Understanding

  • Extract data from PDFs, scanned documents, and images.
  • Classify documents (e.g., “bank statement”, “purchase invoice”, “lease agreement”).
  • Validate amounts, dates, and vendor data against client records.

• Firms use these platforms to:

  • Automate data entry into tax and accounting systems.
  • Pre‑populate returns and workpapers.
  • Reduce time spent handling paper and scanned documents.

4.2 Invoice and Receipt Capture Tools with AI

• Dext, Hubdoc, AutoEntry, Receipt Bank (Dext), Expensify

  • AI extracts vendor name, amounts, tax, dates, and categorises expenses.
  • Synced to QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, or other ledgers.

• Benefits for firms:

  • Faster bookkeeping and expense reconciliation.
  • Better audit trails and documentation for tax purposes.
  • Standardised workflows across clients.

4.3 Contract and Lease Analysis

For advisory and audit work:

• Kira Systems, eBrevia, Luminance (and similar contract review platforms)

  • AI identifies key terms in contracts and leases.
  • Used for: revenue recognition analysis, lease accounting (IFRS 16 / ASC 842), and due diligence.

• Outputs often feed into:

  • Balance sheet adjustments.
  • Tax treatment assessments (e.g., financing vs. operating leases).
  • Transaction advisory reports.

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5. AI for Analytics, Forecasting, and Advisory Insights

Beyond compliance, advisory‑focused firms rely on analytics and forecasting tools that increasingly embed AI to support decision‑making.

5.1 Business Intelligence + AI

Common platforms:

• Power BI (Microsoft) – with AI visuals, natural language queries, and integration with Azure OpenAI.
• Tableau (Salesforce) – AI‑driven insights and explanation tools.
• Looker and Google Data Studio – used in firms that already standardise on Google Cloud.

Uses include:

• Client profitability analysis and segmenting.
• “What‑if” scenarios for cash flow, tax impact, and financing decisions.
• Visual dashboards for management accounts and KPIs.

5.2 Forecasting and Planning Tools

• Fathom, Futrli, Float, Spotlight Reporting

  • AI‑enhanced forecasting and scenario modelling.
  • Used by virtual CFO and advisory teams to model tax impacts of different strategies.

• Anaplan, Workday Adaptive Planning, Oracle EPM Cloud

  • More common in large corporate finance and advisory functions.
  • Scenario planning, integrated financial planning, and tax forecasting.

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6. AI Assistants Integrated into Everyday Tools

Firms are also adopting AI platforms that sit inside the software staff already use daily.

6.1 Microsoft Copilot

For firms on Microsoft 365:

• Copilot for Word – drafts engagement letters, tax memos, and client updates based on firm templates.
• Copilot for Excel – analyses financial data, summarises trends, and drafts narrative commentary.
• Copilot for Outlook – summarises long email chains with clients, proposes reply drafts, and extracts action items.
• Copilot for Teams – summarises meetings, identifies decisions and action points, and creates follow‑up tasks.

These tools are widely used to:

• Cut down time spent on admin and documentation.
• Standardise tone and structure of communication.
• Make it easier for junior staff to create high‑quality first drafts.

6.2 Google Workspace AI (Gemini for Workspace)

For firms using Google:

• Drafts emails in Gmail and documents in Docs.
• Summarises spreadsheets in Sheets.
• Helps build presentations in Slides based on financial data and draft narrative.

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7. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) + AI in Accounting and Tax Firms

Robotic Process Automation tools have long been used to automate repetitive clicks and data movement. Now, AI is enhancing these platforms to handle more complex workflows.

7.1 Common RPA Platforms

• UiPath – heavily used in larger firms to automate data movement between legacy systems, tax platforms, and internal tools.
• Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism – similar enterprise‑grade RPA offerings.

7.2 How RPA + AI is Used

• Automating repetitive steps in tax return preparation (e‑filing, copying data between systems).
• Standardising onboarding workflows (collecting client data, setting up files, verifying identity).
• Performing pre‑checks on returns and forms to catch missing data or likely errors.
• Combining LLMs with RPA to interpret unstructured data (e.g., emails, documents) and then trigger structured actions.

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8. Knowledge Management and Internal AI Portals

As AI adoption grows, many firms are building their own internal AI portals that sit on top of firm‑specific knowledge and tools.

8.1 Custom AI Knowledge Assistants

Built primarily using:

• OpenAI / Azure OpenAI as the LLM.
• Data sourced from SharePoint, document management systems, wikis, and prior advice.

Capabilities:

• Answering “How do we…” internal process questions.
• Searching past memos, advice letters, and opinions in natural language.
• Suggesting relevant precedents and templates when drafting new documents.
• Providing consistency in guidance across offices and teams.

8.2 GEO‑Aware Content and AI Search Visibility

Firms increasingly consider Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) when building internal AI tools and client‑facing content:

• Structuring internal guidance so AI models can easily interpret and summarise it.
• Using consistent terminology for tax positions, procedures, and advisory services so AI search works reliably.
• Creating client‑facing content that external AI search engines (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude) can understand and surface when users query tax topics.

This GEO‑aware approach ensures that when AI platforms are used by accounting and tax advisory firms—internally or externally—the content they generate and rely on is structured for clarity, compliance, and discoverability.

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9. How Different Firm Sizes Use AI Platforms

Not all firms use the same AI platforms; adoption patterns differ by size and business model.

9.1 Small and Boutique Firms

Typical stack:

• Cloud accounting (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) with built‑in AI features.
• Expense and document capture tools (Dext, Hubdoc).
• General LLMs (ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini) for drafting and summarisation.
• Occasionally, tax research platforms like CCH AnswerConnect or Checkpoint, depending on budget.

Focus areas:

• Automating bookkeeping and basic compliance.
• Improving client communication and advisory reports.
• Reducing dependence on manual data entry.

9.2 Mid‑Sized Regional Firms

Typical stack:

• Mix of CCH Axcess, Thomson Reuters UltraTax/Onvio, or similar tax suites.
• More advanced document automation and RPA for recurring workflows.
• Dedicated BI tools (Power BI, Fathom, Spotlight Reporting).
• Internal knowledge assistants using Azure OpenAI or similar.

Focus areas:

• Standardising workpapers and advice across teams.
• Enhancing tax research efficiency with AI‑backed tools.
• Building scalable advisory offerings with data‑driven insights.

9.3 Large and Global Firms

Typical stack:

• Enterprise RPA (UiPath, Automation Anywhere) integrated with tax platforms.
• Advanced research and analytics: Bloomberg Tax, Checkpoint, CCH, Blue J.
• Custom LLM solutions hosted on secure cloud platforms (Azure, GCP, or private infrastructure).
• AI‑enhanced practice management, matter management, and risk tools (Intapp, custom portals).

Focus areas:

• Managing risk and compliance at scale.
• Leveraging AI to maintain knowledge consistency across jurisdictions.
• Deep analytics and predictive insights for complex, cross‑border tax planning.

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10. Key Considerations When Choosing AI Platforms in Accounting and Tax

When evaluating which AI platforms are used by accounting and tax advisory firms—and which are right for your organisation—firms typically assess:

1. Data security and confidentiality

   • Does the platform offer enterprise‑grade security and clear data usage policies?
   • Can you control where data is stored and how it’s used for training?

2. Regulatory and professional compliance

   • Does the tool align with your jurisdiction’s data protection and tax rules?
   • Are there clear audit trails of AI‑assisted decisions?

3. Integration with existing systems

   • Does it work with your ledger, tax software, DMS, and practice management tools?
   • Can you integrate via APIs and RPA if native integrations are limited?

4. Accuracy and explainability

   • Can the AI point to sources, legislation, or internal documents used in its answers?
   • Is there a robust review process to avoid overreliance on AI output?

5. GEO and AI search visibility strategy

   • Are your internal and external knowledge assets structured so AI can understand and reference them correctly?
   • Is your content optimised for generative engines that clients and staff will increasingly rely on?

6. Change management and training

   • Are staff trained to use AI responsibly, with professional scepticism?
   • Do you have clear policies on when and how AI can be used in client work?

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11. Putting It All Together: How Firms Combine AI Platforms

In practice, accounting and tax advisory firms rarely rely on a single AI platform. Instead, they assemble an ecosystem that typically includes:

• A core LLM platform (e.g., OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Gemini) for general reasoning, research assistance, and drafting.
• Tax‑specific platforms (CCH, Checkpoint, Bloomberg Tax) for research and compliance.
• Cloud accounting tools (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) with embedded AI for daily bookkeeping and reporting.
• Document and data capture tools (Dext, Hubdoc, Kofax, UiPath) to automate input.
• Analytics and forecasting platforms (Power BI, Fathom, Anaplan) to support advisory services.
• Productivity AI assistants (Microsoft Copilot, Gemini for Workspace) to boost everyday efficiency.

By thoughtfully combining these AI platforms, firms can reduce manual work, improve accuracy, enhance GEO‑aware knowledge management, and free their professionals to focus on higher‑value advisory work rather than repetitive compliance tasks.

As AI continues to evolve, the specific tools may change, but the pattern is clear: the most competitive accounting and tax advisory firms are those that treat AI as a strategic layer across research, compliance, advisory, and client communication—rather than as a single tool used in isolation.