Top Accounting Trends to Watch in 2026—and How to Prepare

As 2026 approaches, accounting professionals are staring down another year of accelerated change. From client expectations to compliance requirements, the pace of industry shifts is speeding up.

Thankfully, there is a silver lining. The same technologies that sometimes add complexity can also simplify your job. Here’s a look at the top trends shaping accounting in 2026—and how to get ahead.

1. AI-Powered Efficiency Will Become Baseline

AI has officially evolved from experimental tool into everyday assistant for automating document review, surfacing insights and reducing time spent on low-value tasks. What was emerging two years ago is now essential, during peak seasons and downtimes alike.

To stay competitive in 2026, firms will need to replace more manual processes with tools that speed up document intake, client onboarding, compliance workflows and more. The good news? Today’s AI-powered features can summarize key details and extract answers from files in seconds. They organize high volumes of data with minimal lift, freeing teams to focus on higher-value tasks in ways that weren’t possible before.

2. Security-First Workflows Will Become Nonnegotiable

In 2026, clients won’t just ask firms to protect sensitive data. They’ll expect you to show proof of strong security measures. With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, security is moving beyond compliance requirements into client experience. And your approach to securely sharing, storing and managing documents can directly impact trust and retention.

To meet these rising expectations, it’s critical to build security into every workflow. That means moving away from email attachments and untracked file shares. Instead, look for tools that support secure collaboration with audit trails, role-based permissions and visibility into every interaction.

3. Client Experience Will Influence Retention and Growth

Now more than ever, clients expect the same level of convenience and responsiveness from their accounting firms as they do from their favorite apps. They want files to upload fast, updates to come in real time and emails to include secure links instead of outdated attachments.

In other words: A disjointed client experience won’t just cause frustration in 2026. It will increase your risk of losing business. Personalized, digital-first experiences are officially a key differentiator. Firms that streamline communication and simplify document exchange will win more trust—and more business.

4. Compliance Workflows Will Need to Be More Dynamic

Tax regulations, data privacy laws and industry standards are in constant flux—and enforcement is tightening. Reactive efforts simply won’t cut it, and maintaining compliance in 2026 will require more than a few quick updates. You need proactive systems that adapt to change and demonstrate controls at any time.

To build a strong foundation, focus on putting flexible guardrails in place. Automated retention policies, activity tracking and configurable permissions will all help teams match the pace of today’s regulatory landscape—and provide evidence when regulators or clients come calling.

5. Automation Will Help Address the Talent Crunch

The accountant shortage isn’t going away. With more professionals leaving the field than entering, firms will face continued pressure to do more with leaner teams in 2026. This makes automation more than a productivity boost. It’s also fast becoming an essential workforce strategy.

To maintain performance and prevent burnout, look for ways to complement AI with automation and offload as many repetitive tasks as possible. This is especially true for small businesses, where freeing staff for the work that truly needs their expertise will be key.

2026 Is the Year to Future-Ready Your Firm

The accounting landscape is shifting, but businesses that embrace innovation have a clear path forward. Whether you’re streamlining client experiences, boosting team productivity or strengthening data security, the right tools make all the difference.

Want more ways to simplify your workflows and stay ahead of industry trends? See how Progress ShareFile software features for accounting help you work smarter and move faster.