This paper examines the impact of AI and digital technology on management accounting and accounting education. With rapid advances in AI, the role of accountants is shifting toward higher-value tasks such as judgment and advice. Furthermore, recent developments represented by the Multimodal Foundation Model (MFM) have made it easier to apply AI technology. On the other hand, most AI technologies applied at practical level are limited to replacing or supporting work by so-called narrow AI, with clear or limited objectives. In other words, the use of AI is found to be limited in high-level judgments and decision-making involving ethics and values.

Global Accounting Division in Sony Group Corporation has been implementing Digital Transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and governance. Since 2016, Robotic Process Automation has automated approximately 15,000 hours of accounting work annually, improving the speed and accuracy of closing operations. In 2021, technology and human resource development were incorporated into the mid-term plan of Sony’s accounting, leading to the establishment of the DX Promotion Section in 2022. Key tools include the BI tool Tableau, which supports data visualization and analysis, and Alteryx, known for its excellent ETL functions, enabling high-speed processing of large data volumes and reducing manual errors. Future plans involve leveraging AI technology and data automation to provide valuable information for management decisions. The introduction of generative AI and AI-OCR is expected to further enhance operational efficiency and enable advanced analysis.

This paper examines the potential impact of advancements in digital technology, including generative AI, on management accounting through qualitative research. Interviews with practitioners specializing in digital technology suggest that the future will see greater utilization of integrated, interconnected databases and the development of processes that assume the use of AI. In the context of management accounting, the integration of accounting and managerial information into comprehensive data analyses may shift the focus from traditional variance analysis to directly identifying managerial information that impacts financial performance. Furthermore, a case study highlights the trial implementation of automated reporting using generative AI and an integrated database. Such changes could potentially transform management accounting processes themselves, with performance analysis becoming increasingly automated by AI. Consequently, in cultivating management accounting professionals, emphasis is expected to shift toward skills in database construction, the design of performance analysis and reporting systems, as well as the interpretation of results and the formulation of creative business proposals.

This paper examines the evolving roles of occupations and the accounting profession in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX), emphasizing the need for Accounting Data Science education. The advancement of DX has accelerated the use of data and AI, including generative AI models like large language models (LLMs), across various fields. AI significantly enhances decision-making and automates data processing, revolutionizing business processes. However, its adoption raises concerns about the black-box nature of AI and the need for explainability, underscoring the importance of professionals skilled in addressing these issues. Accounting practitioners must effectively leverage AI outcomes while complying with legal regulations and accounting standards, whether using automatic, sequential, or interactive searches. To meet these demands, establishing a comprehensive and practical accounting data science education program is essential, equipping professionals to bridge the gap between technological advancements and the accounting profession’s evolving requirements.