Recent research found that nearly half of hiring managers would rather invest in AI tools than hire and train a recent college graduate for entry-level work. At the same time, more than half of companies report shifting portions of their entry-level hiring budgets toward AI technology.
For students and early-career professionals entering the workforce, that reality can feel intimidating. But it also highlights an important opportunity.
Here are three ways new graduates can stay competitive:
✅ Be flexible with your career path
✅ Take courses that build AI knowledge and digital skills
✅ Get comfortable using AI as a workplace tool
In the Accounting & Finance world, we’re already seeing AI reshape day-to-day work:
• AP/AR processing is becoming increasingly automated
• Basic bookkeeping is often AI-assisted
• Audit firms are using AI for testing and document review
• Financial planning teams are leveraging predictive analytics
• CFOs continue to prioritize digital transformation initiatives
But some of the most valuable skills remain uniquely human:
• Strategic finance
• Advisory work and relationship building
• Client communication
• Complex tax planning
• Financial storytelling and business interpretation
• Leadership and compliance oversight
The professionals who will thrive aren’t those competing against AI, rather the ones learning how to work alongside it.
AI is only as effective as the people guiding it, interpreting its outputs, and turning information into meaningful business decisions. For entry-level candidates, demonstrating familiarity with AI tools may be an advantage, but critical thinking, communication, and adaptability remain the skills employers value most.