Leading Through AI: Managing Change in Accounting Firms

Note: The Live Virtual course is presented in collaboration with CPA Western Provinces. The content is applicable to all participants. If you have questions regarding this course, please contact pdregistration@cpaalberta.ca.

Overview:

AI adoption is not just a technology shift; it is a people and behaviour challenge. This course helps accounting leaders navigate the human side of AI adoption within their firms. Drawing on research-backed frameworks, you will learn how to recognize resistance patterns, build trust across different levels of staff, and support your teams as workflows and roles evolve. The course closes with practical, evidence-based approaches to influencing change that leaders can apply immediately.

Most AI projects in professional firms do not fail because the technology does not work. They fail because employees resist, trust breaks down, and leaders underestimate the behavioural and cultural shift required. Research shows that 63% of AI implementation challenges stem from human factors, not technical ones. For accounting firms, where professional judgment, client trust, and regulatory defensibility are non-negotiable, the stakes of getting the people side wrong are especially high. This course gives accounting leaders the frameworks and tools to lead that change with intention.

Course Content:

In this course, you will gain knowledge about the following topics: 

• Why AI Transformations Fail (and It Is Not the Tech)
• Ready or Not: What AI Can Do vs What Teams Will Accept
• Who Is in Your Firm? The Sentiment Landscape
• The ARIA Workflow and How Roles Actually Change: The Four Shifts
• Influencing Change: What Actually Works

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  

• Explain why AI transformations fail primarily due to people and culture factors, not technology
• Identify common sources of resistance within accounting teams using a sentiment framework
• Apply practical approaches to building trust and confidence in AI-assisted professional work
• Recognise the empathy gap between senior leaders and frontline staff, and communicate AI-driven change appropriately across levels
• Support evolving roles and responsibilities while maintaining professional judgment and accountability
• Apply evidence-based influence approaches to shift mindsets and sustain adoption across their firm

Who Will Benefit: 

This course is ideal for accountants and CPAs, particularly controllers and CFOs, who need to navigate the complex balance between regulatory requirements and leadership demands while upholding ethical values and business practices.