An accounting firm is piloting an AI-driven simulation platform aimed at replicating the hands-on experience junior employees once gained through years of repetitive administrative work, as automation steadily reshapes the profession.
The initiative is designed to help early-career staff build practical judgment and technical expertise in tax preparation at a time when artificial intelligence is taking over many routine tasks.
Brad Brown, the company’s chief digital officer for tax, said the tool addresses a growing gap in training. In the past, junior tax professionals would spend several years preparing large volumes of client returns, developing their skills through repetition. That process, he noted, was critical in building the judgment needed to navigate complex tax scenarios. However, with AI now handling much of that workload, employees are no longer exposed to the same volume of real-world cases.
“You’re not going to get as many repetitions of doing that task as you would have in the past,” Brown said, explaining that the simulation tool is intended to replicate those learning opportunities in a controlled, digital environment.
Traditionally, early-career professionals at the firm spent roughly four years working through consecutive tax filings, gradually improving their ability to interpret regulations and identify implications. Over time, this experience enabled them to transition into advisory roles, offering clients strategic guidance on how business decisions intersect with tax obligations and regulatory frameworks.
The new AI-powered system seeks to accelerate that development curve by exposing employees to a wide range of simulated scenarios, allowing them to practice decision-making without relying solely on real client work. The move reflects a broader shift across the professional services industry, where firms are rethinking how to train talent as automation reduces the need for entry-level manual tasks.