INTHEBLACK September 2026 - Flipbook - Page 48
P O D C AS T
Accounting’s
journey from
ledgers to AI
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the full podcast
episode
In a special podcast episode to mark
CPA Australia’s 140th anniversary, Australian
comedian Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann
speaks with accounting historian
Dr Jasvinder Sidhu and principal solutions
consultant at Oracle and a CPA Australia
board member Kaushika Jayalath CPA,
to reflect on how the profession has
evolved and where it is headed.
CHANGE DRIVES THE PROFESSION
Crisis — from wars and economic downturns to the
COVID-19 pandemic — has historically expanded
the profession’s role.
“Whenever there has been a crisis, the role of
accountants has expanded, and accounting has emerged
as victorious as a profession from any crisis that society
has faced in the last hundred years,” Sidhu says.
“Accounting has changed a lot, but the fundamental
objective of accounting has not changed: to provide
true and fair information for making informed decisions.”
LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES
Jayalath and Sidhu are both optimistic that AI will
not replace accountants — but it will require new
skills from them.
Jayalath cautions against blind AI adoption.
“What do we want? AI. When do we want it? Now.
But the first thing is, hold up, what are you actually
trying to solve here? Because the outcome has
to drive the tool you use.”
Sidhu believes the accountants of tomorrow will need
to be more innovative, adaptable and technologically
savvy, while continuing to rely on the human skills that
have always defined the profession.
“Accountants will become more inventive and
innovative,” he says. “You will have to develop
more capabilities such as technological skills and
communication skills ... as well as adaptability,
because the AI agents will change so fast.”
The future presents “limitless opportunities”
for accountants, Jayalath says, “and accounting
is what makes that possible”.
48 INTHEBLACK September 2026
INTHEBLACK, From Ledgers To AI – INTHEBLACK
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