Tech Fluency Is Career Currency: Plan Digital Upskilling Early

For decades, technical accounting knowledge, regulatory acumen, and client service were the basis for career success as a CPA. These foundational skills remain indispensable, but the rapid digitization of our profession has added a new pillar: tech fluency. Whether you are working in public accounting, corporate finance, or advisory services, an ability to understand, communicate, and leverage technology can directly influence your effectiveness and promotability. 

As employers adapt to automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics, they’re not just asking, “Can this person do the job?” They are also asking, “Can this person help digitally transform how the job gets done?” In short: CPAs who speak both GAAP and Python are becoming invaluable.

The Rise of Digital-First Accounting

From small firms to the Big Four, accounting organizations are shifting away from manual reconciliations, spreadsheet juggling, and siloed reporting. Tools like Power BI, Tableau, and Alteryx are now embedded in audit and tax workflows.

AI tools, such as Microsoft’s Copilot or OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are being tested for document summarization, risk analysis, and even drafting audit memos. Backoffice automation tools like BlackLine, an early leader in transaction automation, are experiencing renewed relevance as firms seek greater process control.

Tech is no longer nice-to-have; it’s a core skill. If you’re in the early years of your career, the return on investment for digital upskilling has never been higher.

Certifications That Prove Tech Fluency

If you are looking to build credibility and capability in this space, one way to stand out is via certifications. Consider the following options:

• Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate 
  Why it matters: Power BI is widely used for visual analytics and management dashboards. Many finance departments now expect real-time data storytelling.
  ROI: High. With Power BI embedded in Office 365, it is already in many firms’ tech stacks.
  Time to learn: About 1–2 months of focused study.
• Tableau Desktop Specialist or Certified Associate
  Why it matters: Tableau remains a dominant tool for dynamic dashboards and client-facing insights. Whether you are creating a visual of your clients’ demographic revenue streams or using it to create a risk-weighted sampling visualization, Tableau is a powerful tool for CPAs.
  ROI: Medium-to-high. Common in advisory/consulting and management reporting.
  Time to learn: About 4–6 weeks for Specialist level.
• Python for Data Analytics (Coursera, edX, or Microsoft Learn Certifications)
  Why it matters: Python is the leading programming language for data automation, forecasting, and AI prototyping.
  ROI: Very high for those in audit analytics, fraud detection, or environmental,
  social, and governance (ESG) data reporting.
  Time to learn: About 3–6 months of structured part-time learning.
• AI Fundamentals (Microsoft AI-900 or Google Cloud AI Fundamentals)
  Why it matters: These offer a beginner-friendly intro to AI and how it integrates with platforms like Azure or Google Cloud.
  ROI: Strong, especially as AI agents begin augmenting tax and audit work.
  Time to learn: About 2-4 weeks
• BlackLine Certification
  Why it matters: BlackLine is still a go-to for account reconciliations, journal entry automation, and close reporting in many Fortune 1,000 companies and large private companies.
  ROI: Niche but high, especially if you work in or target industry roles.
  Time to learn: About 1–2 months via employer or direct study.
• CPA Specializations with Tech Focus
  Why it matters: The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the AICPA are increasingly supporting data analytics content within CPA licensure, especially under the CPA Evolution model.
  ROI: Essential. Aligns CPA Exam content with emerging employer demands.
  Time to integrate: Plan during undergraduate/graduate coursework or within your first year on the job.

Certifications and Career Planning

Early-career professionals often face a balancing act: long hours, steep learning curves, and the pressure to pass the CPA Exam. So how do you make room for tech upskilling? Here are a few suggestions:

• Integrate with Current Work – Start by asking your team, “What technology tools are we already using that I can get trained on?” You may discover that learning Power BI or Excel scripting isn’t extra – it’s part of your daily job. Learning by doing beats studying in isolation.
• Schedule a Seasonal Learning Sprint – Use slower months (often spring or late summer) to commit to one certification at a time. Target 2–3 hours per week over 6–8 weeks for most programs. Break your learning goals into achievable weekly modules and set calendar reminders
• Use Employer Benefits – Many firms reimburse certification costs or offer access to LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, or Microsoft Learn. If you’re not sure, ask your learning and development contact. Certifications often cost less than $300 and the ROI is typically recouped quickly in visibility and opportunities.
• Align with Your Long-Term Track – If you are aiming for a controller or CFO path, consider focusing on systems like BlackLine, NetSuite, or ERP analytics. If you are moving toward advisory, audit innovation, or ESG, maybe prioritize Python, AI tools, and Tableau.
• Read, Read, Read! – Take time to read about how professionals and academics are using and leveraging these tools in their careers and in the classroom similar to the “5 Advanced Ways to Use ChatGPT” article from the Journal of Accountancy. This can be done casually in your spare time.

Promotions and Career Growth

In promotion discussions, soft skills and performance still count, but digital fluency is becoming a differentiator. Staff who can streamline client reporting using Power BI or automate testing procedures with Python often find themselves fast-tracked for internal innovation roles, pilot teams, or advisory rotations.

More importantly, those with technological capabilities often become the bridge between traditional CPAs and digital transformation leaders. They speak both languages, and that makes them indispensable.

Even for those not aiming to become programmers or analytics leads, understanding how technology fits into audits, tax compliance, and financial reporting will make you a smarter contributor and a more credible adviser to clients and internal stakeholders.

Learn Now, Lead Later

If you are an emerging CPA, don’t wait until your firm mandates tech training. Start now. Small, steady investments in certifications and tool fluency will set you apart, position you for growth, and ensure you remain adaptable in a profession that’s evolving fast.

In the digital era, the most valuable CPAs won’t just know the numbers. They’ll know how to make the numbers move faster, smarter, and with insight.

Jacob Crowley, CPA, is a PhD student at the University of Scranton and an assistant professor in accounting at Ohio Northern University’s James F. Dicke College of Business. He can be reached at jacob.crowley@scranton.edu or j-crowley.1@onu.edu.