Accounting Support Using Artificial Intelligence for Bank Statement Classification

Artificial Intelligence is a disruptive technology that is revolutionizing the accounting sector, e.g., by reducing costs, detecting fraud, and generating reports. However, the manual maintenance of booking ledgers remains a significant challenge, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The usage of AI technologies in this area is rarely considered in the literature depite a significant interest in using AI for other acounting-related activities. Our study, which was conducted during 2023–2024, utilizes natural language processing and machine learning to construct a predictive model that accurately matches bank transaction statements with accounting records. The study employs Feedforward Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines with various settings and compares their performance with that of previous models embedded in similar predictive tasks. Additionally, as a baseline model, a software called Contofox, a rule-based system capable of classifying accounting records by manually creating rules to match bank statements with accounting records, is used. Furthermore, this study evaluates the business value of the model through an interview with an accounting expert, highlighting the potential benefits of artifacts in enhancing accounting processes.