From Automation to Inclusion: Transforming the Accountant’s Role through Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy

The rapid acceleration of digital technologies is reshaping the global economy, with accounting standing at the forefront of this transformation.Traditionally confined to manual bookkeeping and compliance functions, accounting has evolved into a strategic discipline that enables organizations to optimize performance, innovate, and expand sustainably.Despite these advances, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have historically been excluded from highquality accounting services due to financial and infrastructural barriers.The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies has significantly altered this dynamic by democratizing access to accounting tools, fostering what can be termed 'accounting inclusion.'This article examines how accounting automation, driven by AI, redefines the role of accountants from transactional record-keepers to strategic advisors and partners in decision-making.Through this transformation, accountants are empowered to provide predictive analytics, enhance risk management, and contribute directly to innovation and competitiveness.The study highlights the dual impact of AI: streamlining repetitive tasks while simultaneously expanding the scope of accountants' intellectual and advisory responsibilities.Findings demonstrate that automation not only increases efficiency but also reduces barriers for SMEs, enabling broader participation in the formal economy and leveling the competitive playing field.The concept of accounting inclusion has profound implications for sustainable economic development, professional ethics, and the future of financial governance.The paper concludes that embracing AI is not a threat to accountants, but an opportunity to reposition their role in ways that reinforce their relevance in the digital economy.