"Accounting Day" Survey: AI Adoption Stalls at 20%, Accounting Operations Still "Manual-Centric"
Key facts
- "Accounting Day" Survey: AI Adoption Stalls at 20%, Accounting Operations Still "Manual-Centric"
- A survey by Yayoi Co., Ltd. targeting 515 accounting personnel in SMEs revealed that AI adoption is limited to 20%, with approximately 70% of accounting tasks still being manual. Workload during year-end peaks more than doubles, and 60% of AI-adopting companies report not fully utilizing the technology.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: March 30, 2026
Direct answer
A survey by Yayoi Co., Ltd. targeting 515 accounting personnel in SMEs revealed that AI adoption is limited to 20%, with approximately 70% of accounting tasks still being manual. Workload during year-end peaks more than doubles, and 60% of AI-adopting companies report not fully utilizing the technology.
- Citation
- "Accounting Day" Survey: AI Adoption Stalls at 20%, Accounting Operations Still "Manual-Centric" (March 30, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- March 30, 2026
A survey by Yayoi Co., Ltd. targeting 515 accounting personnel in SMEs revealed that AI adoption is limited to 20%, with approximately 70% of accounting tasks still being manual. Workload during year-end peaks more than doubles, and 60% of AI-adopting companies report not fully utilizing the technology.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (2h 56m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 05:59 (535h 3m after Collected)
Yayoi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Kenichiro Muto; hereinafter "Yayoi") has designated March 31st as "Accounting Day," a date when the role and importance of accounting are once again recognized by many companies as the fiscal year-end approaches. In conjunction with "Accounting Day," Yayoi, as its founder, conducted a "Survey on the Actual State of AI and DX Utilization in Accounting Operations" targeting 515 accounting personnel working at small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 100 employees, to clarify how the environment and awareness surrounding accounting operations are changing.
"Accounting Day" is an anniversary established by Yayoi Co., Ltd. and Misoca Co., Ltd.*1 as a day to reflect on and consider accounting once a year. When Misoca joined the Yayoi Group in 2016, March 31st, the date when many companies close their accounts, was designated as "Accounting Day" to recognize the importance of accounting operations and to welcome the new fiscal year with a fresh mindset.
*1 Misoca Co., Ltd. was absorbed and merged by Yayoi Co., Ltd. in 2020.
Survey Results Summary
* During the busy year-end period, the workload of accounting personnel more than doubles compared to normal months. While over 60% feel "overworked," it was revealed that approximately 70% of accounting operations are still primarily manual, indicating a failure to break away from analog dependence.
* AI tool adoption remains at about 20%, with 60% self-assessing that they "cannot fully utilize" it. Even among companies that have introduced AI, the majority rated their utilization at "60 points or less," with concerns and distrust such as "human final confirmation is necessary" and "all items still need to be checked" hindering its widespread adoption.
* While there is a desire to entrust routine and checking tasks to AI, the majority believe that "humans" should handle final decisions. Accountants largely expect AI to automate routine tasks like input checks and journal entries, while considering legal interpretation, handling irregular situations, and making responsible decisions as "human roles."
* In the AI era, the value of accounting shifts from "tasks" to "judgment, dialogue, and responsibility." The survey results suggest that the spread of AI does not deprive accountants of their roles but rather serves as an opportunity for them to evolve into a presence that demonstrates value only humans can provide, by reducing their workload.
Survey Period: March 13 (Fri) – March 14 (Sat), 2026
Target: 515 accounting personnel working at small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 100 employees
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire survey
・Request regarding citation of survey data
When using survey data, please include the following credit:
Source: "Survey on the Actual State of AI and DX Utilization in Accounting Operations" by Yayoi
Please refrain from processing the data. Redesigning graphs is permitted.
■Survey Report
Year-end sees over 60% overworked. Still 70% analog-dependent with "manual-centric" operations.
During busy periods, the workload more than doubles compared to normal months. Meanwhile, approximately 70% of respondents stated that "more than 60% of all accounting operations are performed manually," revealing that much of the work still relies on human effort. Furthermore, the result that half of accounting personnel find their daily tasks "troublesome and boring" suggests that beyond mere busyness, the work itself is in a state where it is difficult to feel added value.
FAQ
What is the purpose of 'Accounting Day' designated by Yayoi Co., Ltd. and Misoca Co., Ltd.?
'Accounting Day' on March 31st was established by Yayoi Co., Ltd. and Misoca Co., Ltd. to reflect on the importance of accounting operations and to welcome the new fiscal year with renewed awareness.
How many accounting personnel were surveyed by Yayoi Co., Ltd. regarding AI and DX utilization in accounting operations?
Yayoi Co., Ltd. surveyed 515 accounting personnel working at small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 100 employees about their use of AI and digital transformation tools.
What percentage of accounting operations are still primarily manual according to the Yayoi survey?
Approximately 70% of accounting operations are still primarily manual, based on the survey of 515 accounting personnel at small and medium-sized enterprises conducted by Yayoi Co., Ltd.
What was the adoption rate of AI tools among accounting personnel in the Yayoi survey?
AI tool adoption among accounting personnel surveyed by Yayoi Co., Ltd. remains at about 20%, with most companies not fully integrating AI into their accounting workflows.
What concerns do accounting personnel have about using AI tools in their work according to the survey?
Accounting personnel expressed concerns such as 'human final confirmation is necessary' and 'all items still need to be checked,' which contribute to distrust and limited use of AI tools.