Coco Hou CPA: AI is helping the accounting industry to get back to its roots - spending more time with clients
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 02 Oct 2025
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword, it has become one of the most powerful tools reshaping the bookkeeping and accounting industry. According to Coco Hou, CPA and CEO of Platinum Accounting Australia, accountants who embrace AI are gaining a critical advantage, both in winning new customers and in managing their workload more efficiently which is enabling them to spend more quality time with their clients.
"AI has shifted from being a back-office support to becoming central to how we deliver value," Hou said.
"From automating time-consuming tasks to predicting client needs, AI is now one of the biggest growth tools for accountants and bookkeepers."
Automating repetitive tasks
AI technology is streamlining functions such as data entry, reconciliations, invoice processing and compliance checks. This frees up bookkeepers and accountants to focus on higher-value advisory services, strengthening their client relationships.
"Ultimately, we work in bookkeeping and accounting to help people succeed. Start ups and business owners can't succeed if they don't have critical information and numbers in front of them that help them to understand how they are tracking.
"AI provides this but it also frees us up to spend more time with our clients. The more time we spend with them immersed in their business, the better we can help them. AI is enabling this to happen by removing a lot of our administration."
Smarter client engagement
With AI-driven analytics, firms can better understand client behaviour and financial patterns.
"AI tools give insights into where businesses are overspending, under-utilising resources or missing opportunities. This kind of intelligence allows accountants to provide proactive advice helping clients save money and grow," Hou said.
"While we have always had access to this information, AI enables us to access and manage it in a way that provides faster and more granular level analysis at the press of a button."
Freeing up time for what matters most
AI tools are evolving fast and the bookkeeping and accounting sector is benefiting the most. The technology is giving firms the freedom to spend more quality time with clients, providing the business advice and forward-looking strategies that owners truly need.
"Rather than being bogged down in administration, these tools free us up to do more of the relationship and intuitive work that we love and that clients enjoy," Hou said.
The future of the profession
According to Hou, accountants and bookkeepers who resist AI risk falling behind.
"Clients today expect fast, accurate, personalised service. AI doesn't replace accountants, it makes them more valuable by enabling them to deliver insights and strategies at speed," she said.
"Those who use AI to its full potential will not only survive but thrive. It's about working smarter, not harder and ensuring your firm is positioned for the future."
Hou also said that as a business that provides licensee opportunities for people wanting to get into the industry as bookkeepers and ultimately accountants, AI tools also provide much needed support for people entering the industry.
"The workload associated with bookkeeping and accounting can at times be overwhelming, especially at lodgement time. AI helps to reduce this load considerably. Any tool that helps to improve the productivity of the sector and support the attraction and retention of good people to it, is essential," Hou added.
About Platinum Accounting Australia
Platinum Accounting Australia is a leading national accounting firm that has been operating in Australia since 2008. With a national footprint, the business offers a broad range of services for individuals and businesses of all sizes including tax planning, accounting, advisory and bookkeeping. Platinum Accounting Australia also offers a highly popular and growing licensee program for bookkeepers and accountants to assist them to grow as part of a respected national network.