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Automation’s Next Frontier for Tax Experts

Updated: Jun 19

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Tax season is almost over, but for senior tax professionals, the pressure hasn’t eased. Automation, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming tax expertise—not as a future concept, but as a reality redefining leadership in 2025. Tax automation isn’t just altering roles; it’s why those roles matter now and why adapting is crucial to stay ahead.


Automation’s New Reach

AI has moved past basic tasks like data entry into complex territory: real-time tax code analysis, predictive audit assessments, and multi-jurisdictional modeling. This isn’t about replacing tax experts—it’s about elevating expectations. Businesses no longer settle for filings; they demand strategic insights—optimization, risk foresight—driven by tools like Thomson Reuters’ ONESOURCE or Avalara’s AI engines. A 2024 Thomson Reuters report found that over half of tax firms now rely on technology like AI to boost efficiency, signaling a rapid shift.


Why does this matter? The pace is relentless, widening the gap for tax pros stuck in traditional skills. Those who can’t adapt risk fading in a field where tech sets the standard.


The Stakes Are High

Firms need tax leaders who turn automation into value beyond efficiency. Post-tax season, April isn’t a breather—it’s a proving ground, prioritizing strategic impact over completed returns. Companies seek tax expertise that shapes decisions—optimizing credits, mastering cross-border compliance—not just meeting deadlines. This urgency flows from rising demands: mid-sized firms want lean leaders who wield automation cost-effectively, while multinationals need pros who manage AI across borders, like aligning European VAT with U.S. rules.


Why now? Tax tech is a competitive edge. A January 2025 CPA Practice Advisor report shows AI-driven tax functions enhancing strategic planning, raising the bar for tax teams. Accuracy isn’t enough; agility and insight define leadership in 2025.



Why Adaptation Wins

Tax automation isn’t a threat—it’s a launchpad for pros who seize it. Here’s why adapting matters:


  • AI Skills Are in Demand: Tools like ONESOURCE and Xero are now standard. An Avalara article from January 2024 predicts that by 2025, firms will prioritize candidates who leverage tax tech like AI, a clear market shift. Fluency in these platforms opens doors.

  • Strategy Drives Value: Automation crunches data; tax leaders deliver results. Firms prize pros who use AI to model scenarios—like forecasting credit savings—over those tied to compliance alone. Impact trumps output.

  • Upskilling Keeps You Competitive: Mastering tax tech is non-negotiable. Accounting Today noted in February 2025 a rising need for accountants to train in AI and automation, with platforms like Coursera fueling this demand. Staying current keeps you in the game.


Firms now hunt for tax talent who fuse automation with strategy—leaders who don’t just keep up but push ahead.


Why The Agency Matters

Automation’s frontier is here, and tax experts who harness it will shape tomorrow. At The Agency, a recruitment firm specializing in placing high-level talent, we connect professionals and businesses to opportunities in this fast-evolving landscape. We don’t just watch tax automation—we navigate it with you.


A Texas-based CPA firm we support recently sought an advisory services leader—a role centered on financial modeling and strategic planning to drive value growth and turnarounds, strengthened by automation tools. It’s a strong fit for an experienced professional ready to sharpen insights with tech—the kind of talent we’re skilled at placing.

After tax season, it’s not about rest, but reinvention. Automation demands leaders who deliver value beyond compliance.


The Agency Recruiting is a recruiting firm dedicated to connecting bold talent with forward-thinking companies. If you want to find the leaders who will drive your business forward, contact us today to start the conversation.


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