Firms Deploying AI at Scale Are Pulling Ahead
Audit and advisory firms embedding artificial intelligence across most client engagements are reporting substantially better business outcomes than firms using the technology selectively, suggesting organizational execution—not merely access to AI tools—is becoming a competitive dividing line.
Fieldguide surveyed 400 audit and advisory leaders in May, dividing respondents between 204 “active deployers” using AI across most or all engagements and 196 “casual users” applying it on an ad hoc basis or within limited workflows.
Among active deployers, 74.5% reported profitability increases of at least 10%, compared with 52% of casual users.
About 70.1% of active deployers said AI enabled their firms to handle significantly or moderately more engagements without adding employees. That compared with 46.9% of casual adopters.
The benefits extended to clients and employees. Approximately 73.5% of active deployers said AI helped win or retain clients, versus 53.6% of casual users. Three-quarters reported improved employee retention, compared with 51% of firms using AI more narrowly.
Organizational redesign emerged as a critical differentiator. About 87.3% of active deployers had formally revised roles, team structures or staffing ratios because of AI.
“That’s the number that should make every managing partner stop and look at their own org chart,” Fieldguide co-founder and CEO Jin Chang said. “It’s also the clearest evidence we have that this is a structural shift in the profession.”
Active deployers also placed greater emphasis on employee development. About 47.1% were strengthening client-advisory and relationship skills, compared with 28.1% of casual users.
Among the deepest adopters, 44% said AI frequently differentiated their firms in competitive engagements. Fieldguide said those firms were reinvesting time saved through automation into higher-value advisory services, creating a cycle of stronger margins and additional technology investment.
Fieldguide commissioned TrendCandy to conduct the study. Respondents worked at firms with at least 100 employees and held manager through executive-level positions. The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The findings follow Fieldguide’s recent brand refresh and the launch of two new platform capabilities, Fieldguide MCP and Field Financials.
Fieldguide is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Bessemer Venture Partners, 8VC, Thomson Reuters and other leading investors.
