Karbon State of AI in Accounting 2026 Report shows strategy, training, and governance unlock AI’s full potential
Karbon has released its third annual State of AI in Accounting Report, revealing that AI has become a core part of everyday accounting work.
Summary
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20, 2026 — Karbon, the global leader in AI-powered accounting practice management software, today announced the release of its 2026 State of AI in Accounting Report. The report shows that AI has become a core part of everyday accounting work, and underscores that the value firms capture depends on how they implement AI.
This year’s Karbon State of AI in Accounting Report, which includes responses from nearly 600 accounting professionals across six continents, reveals that 98% of firms now use AI, with the majority using it daily or several times a day. What’s changed in 2026, compared to the 2025 report, is not whether firms use AI, but whether they are equipped to use it well—and those that invest in governance, strategy, and training are seeing the greatest gains.
Firms investing in AI training, policies, and documented strategy consistently see stronger outcomes, including greater time savings and higher confidence in AI use. Yet fewer than half of firms invest in training, and only 21% have an AI policy or strategy, highlighting a clear opportunity to capture measurable value through structured adoption.
“AI alone is no longer a differentiator—it’s a firm’s holistically-applied approach,” said Mary Delaney, CEO of Karbon. “Firms that integrate AI thoughtfully, define AI-related measurable outcomes within each role, train their teams, and embed it into their workflows are turning technology into competitive advantage and preparing for the future of accounting.”
Other key findings:
Time savings continue to grow: Average savings increased to 60 minutes per day per employee (+7% YoY), or approximately 21 hours per month.
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