What Happens When 30 Accounting Professionals Discuss AI? 5 Insights from Tokyo

Introduction

Last month, IFRS Labo hosted 会計マニア Night Vol.2 (Accounting Geek night) in Tokyo.

Around 30 accounting and finance professionals gathered to discuss one question:

How is Generative AI really changing the accounting profession?

The participants came from diverse backgrounds:

• CPAs

• Finance Managers

• CFOs

• Tax Professionals

• Internal Auditors

• PE and VC Professionals

• Startup Founders

• Financial Systems Specialists

Although the event took place in Tokyo, the conversations reflected challenges shared by finance professionals worldwide.

Here are the five biggest insights from the evening.

1. The conversation has moved beyond "Should we use AI?"

Several years ago, accounting discussions focused on whether AI could be trusted.

That question has largely disappeared.

Instead, professionals are now asking:

• Which AI model works best?

• Which tasks should AI handle?

• How should AI fit into existing workflows?

• How do we verify AI-generated outputs?

The discussion has shifted from curiosity to practical implementation.

2. Every professional has a different AI workflow

One of the liveliest discussions compared different AI models—not simply on capability, but on how they think.

Participants shared how they combine multiple tools depending on the task.

Rather than relying on a single application, many are building their own "AI stack" to support research, writing, analysis, and decision-making.

The future is unlikely to belong to one AI platform.

It will belong to professionals who know how to orchestrate multiple tools effectively.

3. Accounting expertise is becoming even more valuable

One recurring theme emerged throughout the evening.

AI can:

• draft journal entries,

• summarize standards,

• assist with tax calculations,

• support audit procedures.

But AI cannot accept responsibility.

Someone still needs to review the output.

Someone still signs the financial statements.

Someone still exercises professional judgment.

As AI automates routine work, accounting expertise becomes even more valuable—not less.

4. Learning together accelerates innovation

One of the biggest benefits of the event wasn't the presentation.

It was the conversations afterward.

Participants openly shared:

• AI prompts

• Workflow ideas

• Implementation experiences

• Success and failure stories

No single professional had all the answers.

But collectively, everyone left with new perspectives.

This reinforces an important lesson:

Communities often learn faster than individuals.

5. The future belongs to continuous learners

The accounting profession has never been static.

Today, professionals are expected to understand:

• IFRS

• AI

• Data

• Automation

• Business processes

Continuous learning is no longer optional.

It is becoming a core professional skill.

Why IFRS Labo Organizes These Events

At IFRS Labo, we believe learning should extend beyond articles and videos.

Real progress happens when professionals exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.

Whether through educational content, online discussions, or in-person meetups, our goal is to help build a global community where accounting professionals can continue to grow together.

Looking Ahead

This was only the second edition of 会計マニア Night for accounting professionals.

The conversations confirmed something we strongly believe:

Technology will continue to reshape accounting. But curiosity, collaboration, and professional judgment will remain at the heart of the profession.

We look forward to welcoming even more professionals at future events—and sharing the insights with our global community.

Would you be interested in joining a future IFRS Labo meetup or virtual discussion?