Developing an Intelligent Accounting Maturity Model for Small- and Medium Sized Accounting Firms
Kortesalmi, Heli (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024053018782
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024053018782
Tiivistelmä
This thesis is about developing an intelligent accounting maturity model for small- and medium-sized (SME) accounting firms. Accounting processes contain many routine tasks and are based on structured data. For this reason, the repetitive routine work in accounting processes can be automated, which big accounting firms have already done. However, many smaller accounting firms in Finland, are performing these tasks manually and not benefiting from the efficiency and quality of automations. SMEs sized accounting firms might lack the skills and resources to automate their processes, nor they might not know from where to begin. Digital maturity models are tools used for identifying a firm’s current state of digitalization and providing information on how to reach the next stage of maturity. Digital maturity models have been developed for various domain, but only few of them are focused on accounting and accounting processes, none on intelligent accounting.
The goal of this thesis was to develop an intelligent accounting maturity model tailored specifically for SME-sized accounting firms. This thesis was commissioned by the AI Driver! project at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
The theoretical framework of this thesis consists of intelligent accounting processes and digital maturity models. In the section of intelligent accounting processes, the main accounting processes - purchase to pay, sales to cash and general ledger – are explained, along with their automation potential. The digital maturity model section begins by explaining the evolution of maturity models and main elements of these models, after which some accounting related maturity models are presented.
In this constructive research the maturity model was developed according to the steps from a design science based procedure model. The first version of the maturity model was developed based on systematic literature review, after which the model was presented to accounting experts whose comments were used to create the final version of the model. Research data consists of 15 peer reviewed articles on maturity models, some accounting literature, and interviews of six accounting experts. Theory was written during the Winter 2023-2024, and the model was developed in the Spring 2024.
As a result, an intelligent accounting maturity model with nine dimensions was developed. Each dimension contains five stages; allowing an accounting firm to assess its maturity stage on each dimension. The model follows the digital maturity model structure and brings information on how much accounting can be automated. Especially the accounting process related dimensions provide useful information both for accounting firms but also ones who are interested in intelligent accounting.
The goal of this thesis was to develop an intelligent accounting maturity model tailored specifically for SME-sized accounting firms. This thesis was commissioned by the AI Driver! project at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
The theoretical framework of this thesis consists of intelligent accounting processes and digital maturity models. In the section of intelligent accounting processes, the main accounting processes - purchase to pay, sales to cash and general ledger – are explained, along with their automation potential. The digital maturity model section begins by explaining the evolution of maturity models and main elements of these models, after which some accounting related maturity models are presented.
In this constructive research the maturity model was developed according to the steps from a design science based procedure model. The first version of the maturity model was developed based on systematic literature review, after which the model was presented to accounting experts whose comments were used to create the final version of the model. Research data consists of 15 peer reviewed articles on maturity models, some accounting literature, and interviews of six accounting experts. Theory was written during the Winter 2023-2024, and the model was developed in the Spring 2024.
As a result, an intelligent accounting maturity model with nine dimensions was developed. Each dimension contains five stages; allowing an accounting firm to assess its maturity stage on each dimension. The model follows the digital maturity model structure and brings information on how much accounting can be automated. Especially the accounting process related dimensions provide useful information both for accounting firms but also ones who are interested in intelligent accounting.