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For modern accounting firms, technology is more than just a tool: it’s the bedrock for business strategy, operations, and culture. Firms that have already embraced new tools have saved 10 hours per employee each week and increased productivity by 40%. But it takes a conscious effort and collective buy-in to reach that point. Fostering a tech-forward team doesn’t have to be expensive or arduous. All it takes is the right approach and a willingness to learn. Here’s how to get started.
The more you understand the benefits of technology, the more you can encourage your team to embrace them as well.
Different types of technology can offer different advantages:
Accounting automation can reduce manual, repetitive work, so more time is allocated to tasks that move the needle.
Business intelligence tools give you a clear view of your firm’s performance, helping you make smarter, data-informed decisions.
Cloud accounting makes your work accessible from anywhere, enabling you to expand into new markets, offer flexible working, and stay connected with a distributed team.
AI in accounting can perform a variety of complex tasks, resulting in higher output for less input. Even if you’re skeptical, now is the time to take the leap.
Practice management software brings everything together in one place, keeping your data, workflows, conversations, and team aligned so that nothing slips through the cracks.
But the most important benefit is the one that matters to your team.
Whether it’s saving time, reducing stress, or offering new growth opportunities, understanding what your people need most, and prioritizing that, will help drive early adoption and active engagement with new tools.
Technology itself doesn’t make a firm tech-forward. Your people do. That’s why investing in your team’s development is just as important as investing in the right tools.
Start by assessing your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Some are already tech-savvy; others may need more hands-on training. People are more likely to be honest about their skill level in a relaxed, private forum, such as a 1:1 or via an online survey.
Based on that information, you can offer targeted training for your team. Interactive workshops, peer mentoring, and time for self-guided learning can help everyone become more capable, while promoting collaboration.
Above all, prioritize continuous learning, experimentation, and play. The more your team practices using different technologies, the more confident they’ll become over time, until it becomes ingrained in your culture.
Tip: If you’re not sure where to start, focus on AI. According to The State of AI in Accounting Report 2025, firms that invest in AI training save seven weeks per employee each year, with advanced AI users saving 71% more time than beginners.
A truly tech-forward culture is one where people feel valued. Not just for what they do, but how they show up.
For example:
👉 Recognize the early adopters who try new tools and share what they’ve learned. Give the best three contributors a spotlight in your team meetings.
👉 Celebrate those who help others troubleshoot or suggest new ways of working. A dedicated channel on Slack or Microsoft Teams for knowledge sharing is a simple but effective way to facilitate and amplify this type of activity.
👉 Create a technology committee and give them real ownership of your digital transformation. If people feel they are part of something and have a voice, they are more likely to engage.
When you allow mistakes to be made and questions to be asked in a safe, non-judgemental environment, you remove barriers. And when you reward curiosity, collaboration, and creative thinking—not just productivity—you reinforce the behaviours that drive lasting change (and employee retention).
The seeds you water are the seeds that will grow; the best workplaces understand the importance of celebrating their people.
Cultivating a tech-forward culture takes patience, intention, and consistency. The sooner you start, the sooner you and your team can enjoy the benefits, including increased productivity, easier communication, and greater peace of mind.
The future of accounting is being shaped by the firms that embrace innovation and invest in their people.
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