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This research highlights the perceptions of accountants and auditors in Romania, offering insights into how the use of Artificial Intelligence is impacting traditional financial reporting. This research addresses an important gap, respectively the lack of Artificial Intelligence in financial reporting in the Romanian context, as prior studies often focus on broader or economically advanced regions, such as more developed countries. The purpose of the study is to contribute to this emerging discussion, presented as a wide limitation of AI adoption in such a regulated sector. Insights were gathered through semi-structured interviews with pre-defined affirmations and open questions regarding the regulatory environment and how AI has been used to enhance financial reporting quality and accuracy but also how the regulatory environment limits the scope of AI. Additionally, a subset of international-level participants was interviewed for comparative purposes, enabling cross-border insights. Findings were further contextualized through the review of relevant literature to validate the comparative results by aligning them with perspectives with global trends. The key findings suggested companies often incorporate AI into their global strategies but fail to provide adequate training or support. Respondents also transparently communicated the lack of knowledge surrounding the subject given its benefits in the domain and lack of practical implications. Additionally, there is a clear need for a regulatory framework when applying AI in professions such as accounting.

The adoption of digital technologies in external auditing has become increasingly common and significant in the digital era, revolutionizing audit practices and offering several opportunities. This study explores whether the application of digital technologies in external auditing presents a double-edged sword, with the ability to transform and disrupt the audit profession. Through a comprehensive examination of the likely opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation of the external audit function, this study sought to provide an insightful discussion of the dual nature of the implications of digital technologies. The aim of this study is to not only provide a balanced assessment of the application of digital technologies in external auditing but also to recommend possible ways for auditors, auditee companies, and other stakeholders to reap maximum benefits from the use of digital technologies, including how these various stakeholders can navigate the associated challenges effectively. Opportunities stemming from the application of digital technologies include the enhancement of audit quality, improved accuracy in audit procedures, increased efficiency and effectiveness, heightened comprehensiveness and extensiveness in risk assessment, and an increased degree of confidence in the audited financial statements by stakeholders (reduction in the audit expectation gap). On the downside, challenges and risks concern the lack of or the need for new skills and competencies for auditors, technological complexities linked to digital technologies, cybersecurity risks, overdependence on technology affecting audit quality, audit evidence, professional skepticism, and the widening of the audit expectation gap. To maximize the possible benefits and minimize risks, this study recommends continuous professional development, capacity building through education, training and collaboration, better technology and data governance initiatives, and continuous assessment of risks.