ICAEW and Microsoft Launch AI Training for Accountants
ICAEW partners with Microsoft to deliver AI training, addressing the skills gap holding back accountants from adopting new technology.
ICAEW and Microsoft have formalised a partnership that could reshape how Britain’s chartered accountants prepare for an artificial intelligence-dominated future. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales announced this week that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the technology giant to boost AI skills across the profession, marking one of the most significant collaborations between a professional body and a major technology company in the sector’s recent history.
Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, said the collaboration reflects the institute’s commitment to helping members adopt emerging technologies in ways that are practical, responsible and aligned with professional standards. “Chartered accountancy is changing at pace, and enabling our members to stay at the forefront of technology is a vital part of futureproofing the profession,” Vallance said. “We look forward to exploring other areas of collaboration with Microsoft.”
The collaboration between ICAEW and Microsoft has already borne fruit. Experts from the Redmond-based software company have contributed to the latest addition to ICAEW’s GenAI Accelerator Programme, the institute’s flagship e-learning offering on generative artificial intelligence. The programme was developed in response to increasing demand from small and mid-sized accountancy firms, who identified the absence of sector-specific support as a key barrier to AI adoption.
The timing of the ICAEW and Microsoft partnership appears strategic. Research conducted by the institute in 2025 found that while 85% of members were willing to use AI, a lack of training remained the primary obstacle to adoption. Separate research from Chartered Accountants Worldwide, surveying 2,718 respondents across 48 countries, revealed a significant skills gap, with 65% of participants expecting professional bodies to take the lead on training initiatives. The findings underscored the pressing need for structured intervention from institutions like ICAEW.
Microsoft’s involvement has focused on the newly launched “GenAI in Professional Practice” course, which forms the fourth element of the GenAI Accelerator. The course targets small and medium-sized accountancy practices seeking to transform their operations through generative AI. Topics covered include the automation of client work such as audit sampling, improvements to financial analysis, and the streamlining of administrative activities including billing. The course launched this week and is already available for enrolment.
The decision by ICAEW and Microsoft to work together reflects a pragmatic recognition of existing technology infrastructure across the profession. A significant proportion of ICAEW’s 210,000-plus members and students already use Microsoft software in their daily work, making Microsoft 365 Copilot a natural entry point for generative AI adoption. Working directly with Microsoft has ensured the course provides real-world, practical insight into the use of Microsoft 365 Copilot in an accountancy context, rather than generic AI training.
The generational divide in AI adoption within the profession adds urgency to the training initiative. Data suggests that 83% of chartered accountants aged 18 to 24 are using AI tools weekly, while only 47% of senior leaders report feeling comfortable with the technology. Data security remains the primary concern among C-suite executives, highlighting the need for training that addresses both technical capability and risk management. The gap between younger professionals and senior leadership represents both a challenge and an opportunity for firms willing to invest in upskilling.
The ICAEW and Microsoft collaboration extends beyond the immediate course launch. The institute has confirmed that future initiatives will include additional accountant-specific learning focused on Microsoft 365 Copilot. The GenAI Accelerator Programme itself comprises eight e-learning courses, with the first freely available to ICAEW members and the full programme offered at £300. Three additional courses covering financial decision making, corporate reporting and tax compliance, and GenAI in professional practice are due before the end of the year.
The programme’s design reflects careful consideration of how accountants actually work. Peter Beard ACA, founder of GenFinance.AI and a key partner in developing the programme, has emphasised its tool-agnostic approach. While Microsoft Copilot features prominently given the collaboration, the course also covers ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity AI and Google Gemini, examining each tool’s strengths and potential use cases in finance. At the heart of the programme, ICAEW offers members a five-step framework on GenAI adoption..
For smaller practices, the partnership between ICAEW and Microsoft addresses a persistent market failure. Large accountancy firms have the resources to develop bespoke AI training programmes and hire specialist technology staff. Smaller firms, which make up the majority of the profession, have historically lacked access to equivalent support. The GenAI Accelerator aims to level this playing field by providing structured, sector-specific guidance that smaller practices can implement immediately without requiring significant capital investment.
The implications of the ICAEW and Microsoft partnership extend beyond individual skills development. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in routine accounting work, the profession faces fundamental questions about the nature of chartered accountancy itself. The seven Professional Conduct in Relation to Taxation bodies, including ICAEW, have already published guidance on applying fundamental professional principles when using AI tools in tax work, signalling that regulatory frameworks are evolving alongside technology adoption.
Vallance was clear about the strategic importance of the collaboration. “The GenAI Accelerator Programme will be of huge benefit to ICAEW members, and I am delighted that we are working with Microsoft to support members in building practical AI capability,” he said. The partnership positions ICAEW at the forefront of professional bodies engaging with AI, setting a template that other institutes around the world may follow in coming months.
Whether the initiative succeeds in closing the AI skills gap will depend on uptake among the profession’s members. Early indications from the Sustainability Accelerator Programme, which preceded the GenAI offering, suggest appetite for this style of comprehensive e-learning exists within the membership. The ICAEW and Microsoft collaboration represents a significant bet that structured, accessible training can equip chartered accountants for an AI-transformed profession, and the profession will be watching closely to see whether that bet pays off.
