Accountants Don’t Need Another Task. They Need Leverage.
TL;DR: Accountants are under pressure from staffing shortages, rising complexity, and client demand for measurable returns. AI is transforming how firms manage tax credits and incentives (C&I) by automating discovery, compliance, and reporting. Firms that adopt AI-enabled C&I gain leverage to scale, deliver ROI, and strengthen advisory services.
Why Firms Can’t Ignore This Shift
Firms today are navigating CPA shortages, rising regulatory complexity, and clients who expect measurable financial impact. In this environment, automation is no longer just about efficiency. It’s about tapping into new revenue, strengthening advisory services, and delivering ROI when clients need it most.
As our CEO shared in Accounting Today:
“Few areas in tax advisory can deliver both immediate cost savings and long-term client value like tax credits and incentives. AI is finally making them scalable.”
—Laurence Sotsky
Where Firms Lose Ground
Billions in C&I go unclaimed each year because processes remain manual and fragmented:
Many firms track programs in spreadsheets.
Some outsource at a high cost, giving margin and control.
Industry estimates suggest 20% to 30% of incentives go unclaimed.
The result: clients miss savings and firms miss revenue.
How AI Changes the Equation
AI-driven platforms like Incentify Explore transform how accountants manage C&I. Instead of relying on manual research and spreadsheets, firms can:
Instantly match businesses with eligible incentives.
Track compliance in real time.
Replace guesswork with accuracy and speed.
Explore also centralizes key details such as eligibility, deadlines, offsets, and compliance rules, making opportunities clear and actionable.
AI-adds new dimensions with:
Video summaries that break down complex programs in minutes.
Built-in chatbot that delivers tailored, expert-level answers instantly.
Together, these tools reduce time spent on data gathering and free accountants to focus on strategy, client relationships, and advisory work.
Where AI Delivers ROI for Firms
By leveraging AI in tax C&I, firms can:
Serve more clients without adding headcount.
Shift teams from administrative tasks to strategic advisory.
Deliver measurable ROI while creating a scalable revenue stream.
The upside: turning compliance-heavy processes into profitable, high-value advisory services.
Evidence the Shift is Here
The industry is already moving:
65% of tax leaders rank automation as their top priority, according to Deloitte’s Global Tax Transformation report.
RSM US LLP committed $1 billion to AI and automation to modernize advisory and compliance series.
These investments signal a clear trend: firms that embrace automation now will be positioned to lead as the profession evolves.
The Takeaway
As Laurence Sotsky explains in Accounting Today, accountants don’t need another task. They need leverage.
AI-enabled C&I automation gives firms the ability to scale, strengthen client relationships, and deliver financial outcomes that set them apart in a competitive market.
👉 See how Incentify Explore helps firms turn C&I into a growth driver.
