How AI is transforming cross-border accounting and financial advisory

      **Summary:** Tohme Accounting recognizes that AI is becoming vital in cross-border accounting to navigate increasing regulatory complexities, accelerate reporting requirements, and handle larger financial datasets. The firm has developed a tailored in-house AI system that aids in workflow management, data analysis, and advisory services while ensuring human oversight remains integral for strategic decision-making.

      Tohme Accounting, a firm specializing in cross-border tax and advisory services for clients in Canada and the United States, observes the growing impact of artificial intelligence in contemporary accounting. As financial transactions extend across various jurisdictions and regulations evolve, firms are adjusting to manage larger data volumes, quicker reporting timelines, and more intricate compliance challenges.

      Samer Tohme, the founder, states, “You can see the shift in cross-border accounting today. Companies are managing multiple tax systems simultaneously, and the firms assisting them are striving to keep pace with ever-changing rules. Clients demand rapid answers supported by real-time data.” He emphasizes that as these expectations escalate, discussions about AI have transitioned from mere experimentation to broader operational applications.

      Recent research in the industry corroborates this trend. A survey indicates that 59% of finance leaders use AI within their finance departments, and those with more advanced applications are increasingly confident in the technology's long-term benefits. Nonetheless, many finance leaders still encounter hurdles in technical expertise, operational integration, and data management, showing that the implementation of AI entails more than simply adding a new tool to current processes.

      “Tohme points out that implementation challenges persist throughout the accounting sector, where traditional methods and established workflows are commonplace. As a result, transitions to innovative technologies can take time.” He notes that many firms are evaluating how AI fits into their operational frameworks, particularly regarding compliance-sensitive tasks that require accuracy and scrutiny. He mentions that uncertainty related to customization, supervision, and practical use has hindered adoption, even as the demand for quicker and more cohesive financial guidance grows.

      The discourse around AI becomes more significant when considered as a tool for integration rather than replacement, according to Tohme. “Accounting requires context understanding, pattern recognition, and insight into how financial decisions align with broader business goals,” he explains. “AI enhances the ability to organize information swiftly, but professional judgment is vital for translating that information into client-specific advice.”

      This outlook informed the firm's technology strategy. Rather than relying solely on available third-party software, Tohme Accounting developed a personalized in-house AI system that aligns with their internal processes and client demands. This platform facilitates operational tasks such as organization, workflow management, data analysis, and client communication, all under the firm’s direct supervision.

      Tohme states that this control is particularly crucial in cross-border accounting, as businesses often navigate complex regulations from both Canadian provinces and U.S. federal and state tax authorities. He highlights that legislative updates, filing requirements, and reporting standards can differ considerably across jurisdictions, leading to an environment where information can change rapidly, and precision is paramount.

      Within Tohme Accounting’s operations, AI aids in structuring financial data, tracking regulatory changes, and interpreting quantitative information in real time. This capability enables the firm to assess how modifications in tax laws or reporting standards might affect specific clients across various regions. Consequently, advisors can allocate more time to strategic analysis and tailored planning rather than manual data arrangement.

      “To collaborate effectively across borders, it’s essential to understand how multiple systems interconnect,” Tohme asserts. “AI can streamline these moving parts, fostering more fruitful discussions around planning, operations, and long-term financial strategies.”

      Furthermore, Tohme observes that the increasing volume of financial data is reshaping how firms approach personalization. Business owners seem to increasingly expect accounting relationships that align with their operational priorities, timelines, and growth aspirations. Achieving this level of customization across numerous clients can be challenging without integrated systems working behind the scenes.

      Tohme Accounting employs AI to manage client-specific information, operational details, reporting schedules, and strategic goals, ensuring advisory recommendations are consistently linked to each client’s overall financial objectives. This integration also enhances documentation speeds, streamlines reporting preparation, and boosts coordination in ongoing tax and accounting tasks.

      Simultaneously, the firm ensures robust oversight throughout the process. Tohme emphasizes that AI performs best when complemented by technical expertise and ongoing review. “While technology can quickly process information, accounting still relies on interpretation, experience, and precision,” he notes. “Professional oversight is crucial to ensure that the information informs sound financial decisions.”

      As firms integrate AI into their workflows, Tohme mentions that the profession itself is transforming. He observes that more accounting professionals are dedicating their time to advisory, analysis, and strategic planning, with automated systems handling repetitive administrative duties.

      Industry research indicates that this transformation is gaining traction. An industry report shows AI adoption among accounting firms increased from 9% in 2024 to 41% in 2025, with many integrating AI into workflows aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, generating financial insights, and improving client service. The report also highlights that firms are ramping up