See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354366042 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACCOUNTING PROFESSION Article · April 2021 CITATIONS READS 6 3,216 1 author: Jerry Kwarbai Babcock University, Ilishan- Remo. Ogun state 37 PUBLICATIONS 209 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Audit quality View project Financial Reporting Quality and Business Growth in the emerging economies View project All content following this page was uploaded by Jerry Kwarbai on 04 September 2021. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. BABCOCK JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE Vol 1, No 1 April 2021 pp. 1-26 ISSN 2795-353X ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACCOUNTING PROFESSION KWARBAI Jerry D. and OMOJOYE Elizabeth O. Babcock University, Accounting department, Nigeria ABSTRACT The study investigated the effect of artificial intelligence and accounting profession in Nigeria. The study employed a field survey research design. The population of this study are accountants in Nigeria considering the Big Four which include KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst and Young. The study found that Artificial Intelligence had significant accounting profession in Nigeria. The study recommended that accounting software of assurance firm should learn from previous tagging decisions that are typically made according to rules that the accountant is aware of and also integrate artificial intelligence into their system of sampling in case an audit is required, it will be possible to audit all the data rather than merely a sampling. Keywords- Accounting Profession, Artificial Intelligence, Anomalous Detection, Data Analytics, Anomalous Detection 1. INTRODUCTION According to the American Accounting Association, accounting is the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to influence the decisions of the users of the information. As outlined by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in 2016, the accountancy profession serves as the backbone for shaping and supporting businesses, organizations, and global economies. According to Kaidonis (2008), the accounting profession plays a role in every facet of the economy ranging from the serving both states and individual interest. Jindrichovska and Kubickova (2016) also observed that qualified accounting professionals acts in different capacities within an organization, providing book keeping and reporting services and also specializing in cost accounting, internal where necessary. Furthermore, they asserted that smallsized organizations outsource their accounting functions to external accounting firms. Uche, (2002) views professional associations as a largely political bodies whose purpose is to define, organize, protect and advance the interest of their members. As stated by Kaidonis (2008), the accounting profession is an important facet of our society and as such influences the broader society at largely, thus deemed to be socially constructive. She also highlighted the role of the accounting standards at averting potential adverse economic issues and ultimate politicization of the accounting profession. Artificial Intelligence is an umbrella term covering machine learning, deep learning, speech Submitted: January 2021 Accepted: March 2021 1Published Online: April 2021 78 Enterprise Risk Management And Corporate Performance Of Insurance Firms In Nigeria 79 recognition and cognitive computing, which are not new concepts. In fact, the elements of AI work together to discover complex patterns and provide automated insights drawn from the increasing amounts of data to which organisations have access (CGMA, 2019). Within the AI space, the main debate across organizations from all sectors and industries is this will the technology lead to augmented human intelligence, or will it lead to the rise of autonomous intelligence and machine automation (CGMA, 2019). Furthermore, AI facilitates speedy delivery of information. The development of modern computers that has powered the artificial intelligence in applying the methods of self-management, self-tuning, self-configuration, self-diagnosis, and self-healing to achieve optimum result in accounting operations. (Odoh,, Echefu, Ugwuanyi, & Chukwuani 2018). With the improvement and advancement in these technologies, artificial intelligence has eaten deep into the profession, consequently posing a risk to the relevance of the accounting profession. It is necessary that businesses maintain their competitive advantage by constantly seeking to develop and achieve optimal efficiency. However, as outlined in Greenman (2017), he noted that as technology advances, some jobs are eliminated while others are created as artificial intelligence assists in reducing rigorous, tedious and painstaking nature of accounting profession and consequently making other accounting processes more efficient and reliable. In contrast to the notion proposed by Greeman (2017). Odoh et al., (2018), observed that the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence involves ignorance on the part of individuals professing complete understanding of AI, whereas otherwise. According to research undertaken by the University of Oxford in 2015, accountants have a 95 percent chance of losing their jobs in the light of recent technological revolution. On the back of this, accountants and employees are required to seek and aid relevant skill gathering to aid the adaption to recent technological evolution. The recent technological breakthroughs in AI are now opening a new page in accounting discipline refocusing the research from ESs applications to some new perspectives towards accounting practitioners: how could accountants benefit from the use of AI capabilities? What is the long-term vision for AI and accountancy? (ICAEW 2018). This new generation of machine learning systems have great impact on economics and business but they are also bringing new life style and sociological side effects. (Stancheva-Todorova, 2018). Drilling down the emergence of artificial intelligence in the accounting profession, we note that this emergence has resulted in a more efficient and reliable accounting processes, although posing immense threats to accounting practitioners. Given the instantaneous processing and retrieval ability provided by artificial intelligence, there are rising concerns of a potential replacement of human capital by technologies. Concentrating on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the accounting profession, this research work seek to analyze and evaluate the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence on the accounting profession The history of AI applications in the accounting domain could be traced back to the 1980s. An extensive research was conducted by academics and practitioners on AI application in auditing, taxation, financial accounting, management accounting and personal financial planning. Expert Systems, considered as software programs attempting to replicate human experts’ behaviour and expertise, store human knowledge and experience and transform it into rules thus trying to solve accounting problems and perform some accounting tasks. Some Expert Systems have been developed for analysis of accounting-based decision processes (Stancheva-Todorova, 2018). Thus, the main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of artificial intelligence and accounting profession in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to Identify the extent to which artificial intelligence will efficiently improve the reporting accuracy of accounting professionals, Identify the extent to which artificial intelligence will conductively promote transparent reporting of accounting professional and to examine the efficiency of artificial intelligence in data analytics of an accounting professional. The remainder of the paper is organized as follows: section 2 provides a review of related literatures; section 3 describes the methodology of Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 Kwarbai and Omojoye 80 the research; section 4 shows the result of the analysis and its discussion; and section 5 provides the conclusion for the study. 2. Related literature review and hypothesis development 2.1 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence is systems that are programmed to think and work as human intelligence does things better than humans through the experimental aspect of computer science involved in programming an intelligent machine that can operate on various tasks by using its intelligence (Dongre, Pandey, & Gupta, 2020). In the same light, Ezeribe, (2019) viewed Artificial Intelligence as a method of making a computer, a computer-controlled robot, or software think intelligently like the human mind. Odoh, et al (2018) also described artificial intelligence as a program that has the ability of software to carry out activities which only the human brain is expected to carry out. These activities include the capacity for knowledge and the ability to acquire it. It also comprises the ability to judge, understand relationships and produce original thoughts. In another perspective, Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer system to be able to observe and learn from its experiences and simulate human intelligence in decision-making (Ezeribe, 2019). Artificial intelligence recognized as software programs that attempts to copy human experts’ behaviour and expertise and then store human knowledge and experience and transform it into commands it uses to solve accounting problems and perform some accounting tasks (StanchevaTodorova, 2018). He also noted that Artificial intelligence aims to make an intelligent machine that can react in ways similar to humans. It also comprises the ability to judge, understand relationships, and produce original thoughts.AI is rapidly changing how the financial organization operated functions and increased operational efficiency level with the minimum efforts (Odoh et al., 2018). The difference between artificial intelligence and other developing technologies is its ability to understand its environment and perform tasks that normally require human intelligence in only a relatively short time (PWC, 2019). In essence, Artificial intelligence is similar to the simulation of the human brain’s thinking and information processes, the human thinking simulation can be carried out in two ways. The First is the structural simulation can imitate 2.2 ACCOUNTING PROFESSION In the need to make prudent use of scarce resources, gather wealth and produce high quality of goods and services in a competitive economy, birthed the need for accounting profession. In simple terms, accounting profession is seen as a profession that is responsible collecting, classifying, and recording, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting of information to users of financial statement. Accounting profession provides qualitative financial information about economic entities that is intended to be useful in economic decisions. This information allows users to make reasoned choices among alternative uses of scarce resources in the conduct of business and economic activities. Professional Accountants are people who trained as accountants and also obtained an additional training from the recognized professional accounting bodies. These professional accounting bodies award them recognition and licensed them to execute accounting and financial services to the public. The accounting bodies monitor and supervise them frequently to ensure strict adherence to the principles of best practice and ethical considerations. According to Ronny & Yuanyuan (2013) the skills required by an accountant are Language skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, analytical skills, multi-task skills, due diligence skills, and training skills. The same light, several knowledges required by accounting profession include are accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting software, business law, human resource management, retail/consignment business, operation & supply chain, project management, and strategic management. Ronny & Yuanyuan Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 Enterprise Risk Management And Corporate Performance Of Insurance Firms In Nigeria 81 (2013) identified the process of accounting as the preparation of financial reports starting from documents till financial statements. He indicated three aspects of accounting process including Designing, preparing, and handling accounting process. 2.3. THEORETICAL REVIEW 2.3.1 AGENCY THEORY The agency theory has its beginning in economic theory. This was made by Alchian & Demsetz (1972) and further developed by Jensen and Meckling (1976). In the agency theory, the principal (owners and shareholders) makes the decision-making power to the agent (directors, managers and management) who may pursue interests that may not necessarily be in favor of the principal but may in fact hurt the principal through information asymmetry (Ogoun, 2020). The agency theory deals with entrusting products to the agent who in turn is required to produce a statement in qualitative and quantitative way and are expected to be in alignment with the interest of the owners of a business and managers of a business and managers in order for the set objectives of the organization to be achieved. Basic agency paradigm was made in the economics literature during 1960s and 1970s in order to determine the optimal value of the risk- sharing among different individuals (Jensen & Meckling, 1976). However, gradually the agency theory domain was extended to the management area for determining the cooperation between various individuals with different objectives in the firm, and goal congruency attainment (Kwafo, 2019). In 1980s, agency theory was also appeared extensively in the auditing and accounting realms to determine the optimal-incentive contracting among different people and suitable accounting control mechanisms establishment for monitoring of their behaviors and actions (Gotthardt, et al., 2020). It is this last function of the agency theory that will be emphasized in this study. In its primitive form, agency theory relates to situations in which one individual (called the agent) is engaged by another person (called the principal) to perform on his/her behalf based upon a designated compensation schedule. Since both persons are assumed to be utility maximizer, and motivated by pecuniary and non-pecuniary items, incentive problems may come up, particularly under the condition of uncertainty and informational asymmetry (Longinus, 2018). That is, the objective function of the principal and the agent may be incompatible, and therefore, the agent may take acts which will be different from the principal's benefits. Hence, we posit that: There is no significant relationship between artificial intelligence and reporting accuracy in Nigeria. There is no significant relationship between artificial intelligence and transparent reporting in Nigeria. There is no significant relationship between artificial intelligence and data analytics in Nigeria. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3. RESEARCH DESIGN The research design used for this study is the survey research design. This design is deemed most suitable as it will allow seeking the opinions of well-informed individuals on the influence of artificial intelligence on accounting profession in Nigeria, which will provide comprehensive thoughts from the number of individual cases. 3.1 Data collection and research variable Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 Kwarbai and Omojoye 82 The study used a descriptive field survey research design and adapted questionnaire as a research instrument. The population of the study was the big 4 operating in Nigeria. 500 questionnaire instruments were distributed evenly across the firms but only 277 were correctly completed and returned. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the cause-effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Analysis was done with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 23.0). The questionnaire consists of three sections, sections; A, B and C. Section A focused on the demographic information of the respondents covering; the gender, marital status, educational qualification, professional qualification and experience on the job. Section B focused on artificial intelligence on test automation, anomalous errors and predictive forecasting solutions. And section C, accounting profession on reporting accuracy, transparent reporting and data analytics. The instrument was structured using the four point rating Likert scale comprising of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), and Strongly Disagree (SD) from which the respondent specified their level of agreement 3.2 Model specification and estimation technique The regression equations are given as: RA = β0 + β1TA +β2AD +β3PFS + µ1 TS = β0 + β1TA +β2AD +β3PFS + µ2 DA = β0 + β1TA +β2AD +β3PFS + µ3 Where: α0 = constant or intercept, this is the average value of the dependent variable when the independent variable is equal to zero β = regression parameter, which measures the coefficient. µi= error term or stochastic variable. The estimated model result is shown in the table below: Table 1: Summary Empirical Analysis Parameters Hypothesis 1 Coeff SE Hypothesis 2 T-Stat P-value Coeff SE Hypothesis 3 T-Stat P- Coeff SE value 5.75 Constant AT AD PFS .858 6.703 .000 .315 .074 4.260 .000 .019 .063 .310 .334 .073 4.557 4 5.20 7.40 .949 5.488 .000 .274 .082 3.361 .001 .234 .077 .757 .188 .070 2.708 .007 .171 .065 .000 .220 .081 2.716 .007 .155 .076 8 0 .891 Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 83 Enterprise Risk Management And Corporate Performance Of Insurance Firms In Nigeria Model Summary Adjusted R Model R R Square 1 .633a .401 .394 .000b 2 .592a .350 .343 .000b 3 .541a .292 .284 .000b Square Sig. Author’s computation of Field Survey Data (2021) using SPSS version 23 4.3.1 EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF MODEL ONE The estimated model in the table above is given as: RA = 5.754+ 0. .315AT + 0.019AD + 0.334PFS + µ Table 1 shows the analysis result of model 1, the result indicates that automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution all exerted a positive effect on reporting accuracy. This is indicated by the signs of the coefficient β1=0.315, β2=0.019, β3=0.334 respectively. The result also showed that automation tagging and predictive and forecasting solution significantly effects reporting accuracy this is constant with unstandardized coefficients because it exceeded AI proxy by automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution should have a positive and significant effect on reporting accuracy. The result implies that a percentage change in automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution will bring about 0.315, 0.019, 0.334 respective increase in reporting accuracy Furthermore, the adjusted R squared is 0.394 implying that 39% change in reporting accuracy is brought about by a change in AI while 61%was not factored in the model 4.3.2 Empirical Analysis of Model Two The estimated model in the table above is given as: TS = 5.208+ 0.274AT + 0.188AD + 0.220PFS + µ Table 4.3.2 is the analysis result of model 2, the result indicates that automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution all exerted a positive effect on reporting accuracy. This is indicated by the signs of the coefficient β1=0.274, β2=0.188, β3=0. 220 respectively. The result also showed that automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution significantly effects reporting accuracy this is constant with the p-value of the variable of AI proxy indicated by automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution which have a positive and significant effect on reporting accuracy. The result implies that a percentage change in automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution will bring about 0.274, 0.188, 0. 220 respective increases in reporting accuracy. Furthermore, the adjusted R squared is 0.343 implying that 34% change in reporting accuracy is brought about by a change in AI while 66%was not factored in the model 4.3.3 Empirical Analysis of Model Three The estimated model in the table above is given as: DA = 7.400 + 0 .234AT + 0 .171AD + 0.155PFS + µ Table 1 shows the analysis result of model 3, the result indicates that automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution all exerted a positive effect on reporting accuracy. This is indicated by the signs of the coefficient β1=0234, β2=0.171, β3=0.155 respectively. The result also showed that automation tagging and predictive and forecasting Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 Kwarbai and Omojoye 84 solution significantly effects reporting accuracy this is constant with unstandardized coefficients because it exceeded AI proxy by automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution should have a positive and significant effect on reporting accuracy. The result implies that a percentage change in automation tagging, anomalous detection and predictive and forecasting solution will bring about 0234, 0.171, 0.155 respective increase in reporting accuracy Furthermore, the adjusted R squared is 0.284 implying that 28% change in reporting accuracy is brought about by a change in AI while 72% was not factored in the model 4.4. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS Model one showed that Automation Tagging, Anomalous Detection and Predictive forecasting solution have positive significant effects on Reporting Accuracy. Other than Artificial Intelligence, Reporting Accuracy is predicted by other factors, being associated with a correlation coefficient of 0.633. It also explains about 39% of shifts in Reporting Accuracy caused by Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence has a significant impact on reporting accuracy in respect to accounting profession banks in Nigeria. The outcome is in line with the work of Ukpong, Udoh and Essien (2019), which studied the Opportunities, Issues and Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Accounting and Auditing in Nigeria and stated that AI integration will facilitate changes in the auditing process. Similarly, the studies of Odoh, Silas, Ugwuanyi, and Chukwuani (2018) stated there is a strong positive relationship between intelligent agent and the performance of accounting functions. The study of Longinus (2018) explored the implication of artificial intelligence system for proper record keeping in Microfinance Banks in Nigeria. The result shows that there is strong positive relationship between artificial intelligence system and proper record keeping. The findings contradicted the findings by Mohammad (2012) and Jessie (2019) that stated that automation tagging, Anomalous Detection and Predictive and forecasting solution have no effect on customer satisfaction. The empirical analysis of model two showed that Automation Tagging, Anomalous Detection and Predictive forecasting solution have positive significant effects on Transparent Reporting. Other than Artificial Intelligence, Transparent Reporting is predicted by other factors, being associated with a correlation coefficient of 0.592. It also explains about 34% of shifts in Transparent Reporting caused by financial Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence has a significant impact on Transparent Reporting as regards to Accounting Profession in Nigeria. This finding is consistent with the work of Jooman (2019), studied the influence of artificial intelligence on the future of the internal auditing profession in South Africa. The research findings suggested that the current influence of AI on the internal auditing profession within the SA context is still in its infancy and internal auditors do not yet understand and appreciate the capabilities of AI. Also, Mhlanga (2020), studied The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Digital, and it was discovered that The result of the study showed that Artificial Intelligence has a strong influence on digital financial inclusion in areas related to risk detection, measurement and management, addressing the problem of information asymmetry, availing customer support and helpdesk through catboats and fraud detection and cyber security. The findings contradicted the result of Ozili (2018). In addition, the findings of Model three, as predicted, have shown that Automation Tagging, Anomalous Detection and Predictive forecasting solution have positive significant effects on Data Analytics. Other than artificial intelligence, Data Analytics are predicted by other factors, being associated with a correlation coefficient of 0.541. It also explains about 28% of shifts in data analytics caused by artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence has a significant impact on Data analytics in respect to Accounting Profession in Nigeria. The study by Ogoun (2020) conducted a reviewed on Expanding the Frontiers of Accounting Knowledge on Imperative for Practitioners Accommodation. It revealed for as long as practitioners foreclose new knowledge deployment, a consummate expansion of the accounting knowledge base cannot be actualized. Accounting would continue to blaze the backward-trail in new knowledge Babcock Journal of Accounting and Finance Volume 1, Number 1, 2021 Enterprise Risk Management And Corporate Performance Of Insurance Firms In Nigeria 85 development, relative to other academic disciplines and professional practice. Also, Duong and Fledsberg (2019) stated reviled that accountants understanding of digitalization, are in the early stage of the digitalization process, the importance of having technical skills in order to enter the new role, the self-understanding of accountants. The findings also revealed that the findings the accountant is expected to have other qualities such as being an IT-expert, outgoing, and openminded. The study of Dongre, Pandey and Gupta (2020) revealed that the use of AI applications will make the work of the accountant more valuable, rather than stay in simple accounting work. The use of AI in accounting increases analytical capability and decision-making ability. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The result of all the analysis carried out revealed that Artificial Intelligence has positive significant effect on Reporting Accuracy, Anomalous Detection and Data Analytics in respect to accounting profession in Nigeria. However, based on level of significance, it can be concluded that artificial intelligence is significant to an improved system in the accounting profession. The study recommended that: Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore recommended that: 1.Accounting software of assurance firm should learn from previous tagging decisions that are typically made according to rules that the accountant is aware of. In years to come, the ability of technology to discover these rules and predictively plan will help to remove a significant component of the firms’ daily workload 2.Assurance firms should integrate artificial intelligence into their system of sampling. Incase an audit is required, it will be possible to audit all the data rather than merely a sample, yet without the huge resources typically required for what’s traditionally considered a full audit. It will be able to discover anomalies that may exist, and the process will be much quicker and take significantly less effort. 3.Management of assurance firms should integrate artificial intelligence into their system, as this will help foster a closer and more useful relationship with your clients. Suggestion for further study was prompted from the limitations of this study. Further studies may be carried out in the following areas. The research is based mostly on accounting profession with case study consideration on assurance and consultancy firms; further studies could be carried out on other types of companies in other sectors listed on the NSE. Further studies can be extended to more years. Comparison of different sectors in Nigeria can also be considered. 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