GITNUXREPORT 2025

Accounting Statistics

Accounting evolving with AI, cloud, automation; industry rapidly grows globally.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average length of time it takes to close books at the end of a quarter is approximately 8 days

Statistic 2

The average cost per audit engagement for small firms is approximately $15,000, while large firms may spend up to $250,000

Statistic 3

47% of accounting firms have reported increased profitability since implementing automation tools

Statistic 4

44% of small businesses felt unprepared for tax season in 2023 due to inadequate accounting systems

Statistic 5

The global accounting services market is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027

Statistic 6

The accounting industry is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations

Statistic 7

The highest demand for accounting services is from the finance and banking industry, followed by manufacturing and retail sectors

Statistic 8

The adoption rate of integrated cloud accounting software increased by 24% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 9

The global fraud detection and prevention market in accounting was valued at $3.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13%

Statistic 10

The trend of outsourcing accounting functions is increasing; 46% of small and medium enterprises outsource at least some accounting services

Statistic 11

The largest market for accounting software is North America, accounting for over 40% of the global market share

Statistic 12

The corporate governance auditing sector increased its revenue by 10% annually from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 13

The adoption of real-time accounting systems is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% until 2028

Statistic 14

The global market for accounting and audit software is projected to reach $11.7 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 8%

Statistic 15

The global outsourcing accounting market is expected to reach $45 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7%

Statistic 16

The use of mobile accounting apps increased by 35% from 2020 to 2023, indicating a shift toward on-the-go financial management

Statistic 17

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting has become a significant part of accounting, with 68% of firms incorporating ESG metrics into their audits

Statistic 18

Around 58% of accountants report using cloud-based accounting software as of 2023

Statistic 19

73% of small businesses in the U.S. use some form of accounting software

Statistic 20

The use of artificial intelligence in accounting is predicted to increase efficiency by up to 40%

Statistic 21

63% of companies use automation tools for their financial close process

Statistic 22

65% of CPAs believe that blockchain will significantly impact accounting procedures within the next decade

Statistic 23

Nearly 40% of accounting firms have integrated data analytics into their audit processes

Statistic 24

55% of CFOs expect automation to eliminate at least 10% of manual accounting tasks within two years

Statistic 25

The use of robotics process automation (RPA) in accounting increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 26

82% of accountants believe automation tools will influence the future of accounting education

Statistic 27

Approximately 35% of accounting firms have adopted blockchain technology for audit and transaction verification

Statistic 28

The use of digital signatures in accounting transactions increased by 45% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 29

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation in accounting firms, with 85% increasing their investment in technology

Statistic 30

The use of predictive analytics in accounting increased by 25% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 31

69% of organizations are considering or implementing hybrid accounting models that combine traditional and digital methods

Statistic 32

The penetration rate of blockchain technology in accounting firms is expected to reach 30% by 2026

Statistic 33

52% of CFOs worldwide have implemented or plan to implement ERP systems integrated with accounting modules

Statistic 34

The percentage of small businesses using online invoicing grew from 28% in 2019 to 62% in 2023

Statistic 35

The median salary for a certified public accountant (CPA) in the U.S. was $73,560 in 2022

Statistic 36

Approximately 21% of accountants are women, indicating gender disparity in the field

Statistic 37

The average age of accountants worldwide is 47 years, indicating an aging workforce

Statistic 38

45% of businesses worldwide still maintain manual, paper-based accounting processes

Statistic 39

50% of accountants believe that remote working has improved productivity in their teams

Statistic 40

72% of small businesses in the U.S. rely on accountants for tax filing, compliance, and financial advice

Statistic 41

The number of accountants pursuing specialization in forensic accounting increased by 20% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 42

Over 60% of accounting professionals believe that AI will replace certain roles within the next decade

Statistic 43

38% of accountants in the U.S. plan to retire within the next 10 years, indicating upcoming talent shortages

Statistic 44

The majority of accounting graduates (over 60%) are obtaining a Master of Accounting degree to enhance employability

Statistic 45

In 2022, 37% of accountants reported dissatisfaction with their job due to lack of advancement opportunities

Statistic 46

Around 80% of accountants believe that continuous professional education (CPE) is essential for staying current with industry standards

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Key Highlights

The global accounting services market is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027
Around 58% of accountants report using cloud-based accounting software as of 2023
The median salary for a certified public accountant (CPA) in the U.S. was $73,560 in 2022
73% of small businesses in the U.S. use some form of accounting software
The accounting industry is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
Approximately 21% of accountants are women, indicating gender disparity in the field
The use of artificial intelligence in accounting is predicted to increase efficiency by up to 40%
The average age of accountants worldwide is 47 years, indicating an aging workforce
45% of businesses worldwide still maintain manual, paper-based accounting processes
The highest demand for accounting services is from the finance and banking industry, followed by manufacturing and retail sectors
63% of companies use automation tools for their financial close process
The adoption rate of integrated cloud accounting software increased by 24% from 2021 to 2023
65% of CPAs believe that blockchain will significantly impact accounting procedures within the next decade

The accounting industry is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with global market projections soaring to $1.7 trillion by 2027 and technology-driven transformations—ranging from AI and blockchain to cloud-based systems—reshaping how accountants work, businesses operate, and the future of financial management unfolds.

Financial Metrics and Business Practices

The average length of time it takes to close books at the end of a quarter is approximately 8 days
The average cost per audit engagement for small firms is approximately $15,000, while large firms may spend up to $250,000
47% of accounting firms have reported increased profitability since implementing automation tools
44% of small businesses felt unprepared for tax season in 2023 due to inadequate accounting systems

Financial Metrics and Business Practices Interpretation

While automation is boosting profit for nearly half of accounting firms, the persistent eight-day quarterly close and small business anxieties highlight that even in finance, a swift and robust system remains essential to staying ahead of the numbers—and the stress.

Market Growth and Demand

The global accounting services market is projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027
The accounting industry is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
The highest demand for accounting services is from the finance and banking industry, followed by manufacturing and retail sectors
The adoption rate of integrated cloud accounting software increased by 24% from 2021 to 2023
The global fraud detection and prevention market in accounting was valued at $3.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13%
The trend of outsourcing accounting functions is increasing; 46% of small and medium enterprises outsource at least some accounting services
The largest market for accounting software is North America, accounting for over 40% of the global market share
The corporate governance auditing sector increased its revenue by 10% annually from 2018 to 2022
The adoption of real-time accounting systems is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% until 2028
The global market for accounting and audit software is projected to reach $11.7 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 8%
The global outsourcing accounting market is expected to reach $45 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7%
The use of mobile accounting apps increased by 35% from 2020 to 2023, indicating a shift toward on-the-go financial management

Market Growth and Demand Interpretation

As the accounting industry accelerates towards a $1.7 trillion global footprint fueled by rapid tech adoption and outsourcing trends, it's clear that managers must keep their books—and their cybersecurity—equally audited to stay ahead in this fast-growing, digitized financial landscape.

Regulatory and Compliance Developments

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting has become a significant part of accounting, with 68% of firms incorporating ESG metrics into their audits

Regulatory and Compliance Developments Interpretation

With over two-thirds of firms weaving ESG metrics into their audits, accounting has evolved from balancing books to balancing a company’s social and environmental footprint—proof that conscience is now part of the ledger.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

Around 58% of accountants report using cloud-based accounting software as of 2023
73% of small businesses in the U.S. use some form of accounting software
The use of artificial intelligence in accounting is predicted to increase efficiency by up to 40%
63% of companies use automation tools for their financial close process
65% of CPAs believe that blockchain will significantly impact accounting procedures within the next decade
Nearly 40% of accounting firms have integrated data analytics into their audit processes
55% of CFOs expect automation to eliminate at least 10% of manual accounting tasks within two years
The use of robotics process automation (RPA) in accounting increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023
82% of accountants believe automation tools will influence the future of accounting education
Approximately 35% of accounting firms have adopted blockchain technology for audit and transaction verification
The use of digital signatures in accounting transactions increased by 45% between 2021 and 2023
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation in accounting firms, with 85% increasing their investment in technology
The use of predictive analytics in accounting increased by 25% from 2021 to 2023
69% of organizations are considering or implementing hybrid accounting models that combine traditional and digital methods
The penetration rate of blockchain technology in accounting firms is expected to reach 30% by 2026
52% of CFOs worldwide have implemented or plan to implement ERP systems integrated with accounting modules
The percentage of small businesses using online invoicing grew from 28% in 2019 to 62% in 2023

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As accounting firms embrace the digital revolution—boosted by AI, blockchain, and automation—it's clear that while the numbers show an industry swiftly pivoting towards efficiency and innovation, the true challenge lies in ensuring these technological advancements translate into trustworthy, transparent, and future-ready financial practices.

Workforce Demographics and Trends

The median salary for a certified public accountant (CPA) in the U.S. was $73,560 in 2022
Approximately 21% of accountants are women, indicating gender disparity in the field
The average age of accountants worldwide is 47 years, indicating an aging workforce
45% of businesses worldwide still maintain manual, paper-based accounting processes
50% of accountants believe that remote working has improved productivity in their teams
72% of small businesses in the U.S. rely on accountants for tax filing, compliance, and financial advice
The number of accountants pursuing specialization in forensic accounting increased by 20% from 2020 to 2023
Over 60% of accounting professionals believe that AI will replace certain roles within the next decade
38% of accountants in the U.S. plan to retire within the next 10 years, indicating upcoming talent shortages
The majority of accounting graduates (over 60%) are obtaining a Master of Accounting degree to enhance employability
In 2022, 37% of accountants reported dissatisfaction with their job due to lack of advancement opportunities
Around 80% of accountants believe that continuous professional education (CPE) is essential for staying current with industry standards

Workforce Demographics and Trends Interpretation

While the median CPA salary hovers around $73,500 and over a third of accountants feel stymied by limited growth, an aging, gender-skewed workforce facing increasing automation and digitalization signals that the accounting profession is at a pivotal crossroads—struggling to modernize and retain talent, yet essential to the backbone of global business.