CPDStore

AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday working life, but for many bookkeepers and accountants, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. With new tools, features and terminology appearing constantly, it can be difficult to separate what is genuinely useful from the noise. This practical session will show delegates how to take simple steps towards using AI as their own everyday assistant. We will explore how AI can support communication, administration, research, ideas and day to day practice tasks, while keeping the human firmly in control. Delegates will leave with practical ideas they can start using immediately to save time, reduce repetitive work and create more space to focus on their clients and their business.

In this session Natasha Everard will cover the following topics:

• Understanding AI without the jargon
   What AI actually is, what it can and cannot do, and where it can realistically fit into a bookkeeping or accounting practice.
• Making AI your everyday assistant
   Practical examples of using AI to help with emails, client communications, meeting preparation, research, planning, procedures and everyday administration.
• Getting better results from AI
   How to communicate effectively with AI, provide context and create useful prompts without needing complicated prompt formulas.
• Building AI into your working day
   Identifying repetitive or time consuming tasks where AI could assist, and looking at simple ways to incorporate it into existing workflows rather than adding another layer of technology.
• Using AI responsibly and confidently
   Understanding the importance of data security, confidentiality, accuracy, checking outputs and maintaining professional judgement. AI should support the bookkeeper or accountant, not replace their expertise.

By attending this session, delegates will understand how AI can be used as a practical assistant within their everyday work. They will be able to identify tasks where AI could save time, communicate more effectively with AI to achieve better results, and begin introducing AI into their existing workflows.

Delegates will also understand some of the limitations and risks of AI, including the importance of checking outputs, protecting client information and retaining professional judgement.

Most importantly, delegates should leave feeling confident enough to start experimenting with AI rather than feeling they need to understand everything before they begin.

This session will be of particular interest to bookkeepers, accountants, sole practitioners, practice owners and accounting professionals who are interested in using AI but are unsure where to start or how to make it genuinely useful within their working day.

It will also benefit those who have already experimented with tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or other AI assistants but want to move beyond occasional use and make AI a more practical part of their everyday workflow.

Course level: Foundation

The session is designed to be accessible to delegates with little or no practical AI experience. No technical knowledge is required.

Those already using AI should still gain practical ideas for improving how they use it, but the session will focus on simple, achievable steps rather than advanced AI implementation or technical development.