Research shows that 29 percent of Belgian SMEs use AI in their accounting. More than half even trust the technology more than a junior employee, but concern and skepticism also remain present at many companies.
Belgian SMEs are increasingly discovering the benefits of AI in their accounting departments. According to an iVox survey of 345 companies, conducted for Horus Software, about a third of SMEs today use AI applications within their accounting. Invoice recognition, spell checking, and fraud detection are popular examples.
Yet the technology remains relatively new in this sector: 58 percent of companies using AI have been doing so for less than a year. While many SMEs primarily report time savings, a minority still see AI as a threat.
More trust in AI than in junior accountants
The research shows that 55 percent of SMEs using AI trust the technology more than a starting employee in the accounting department. However, there is still room for improvement: nearly two-thirds indicate that AI applications still make mistakes too often. This results in 83 percent systematically checking the work done by AI.
Furthermore, the arrival of AI does not go unnoticed on the work floor. About 66 percent of those surveyed note that employees in the accounting department view AI with some suspicion. Less experienced profiles, in particular, more often express concern about the technology.
Efficiency
For many SMEs, AI also offers a solution to the shortage of accounting talent. For instance, 74 percent indicate that thanks to AI, they can get more work done in a single day, which creates room for providing advice to clients. More than half (54 percent) even manage to work with a smaller team.
According to Horus Software, the accountant remains essential for quality control, but gains time for core tasks such as advisory services. The majority of SMEs experience AI as a positive step forward that makes the accountant’s life easier.