Levelling up with AI

Stan Korsountsev CPA didn’t set out to work in artificial intelligence (AI). He began his career in Deloitte’s audit department after earning a Bachelor of Commerce from MacEwan University—a classic first step for many aspiring CPAs.

While tackling repetitive audit tasks, he began to ask: Can this be done faster? Smarter? Can it be automated? What might have seemed like looking for shortcuts was actually an instinct for efficiency. His curiosity led him to tools like Tableau and Power BI, opening the door to data analytics and process automation—and, eventually, a career in AI.

As Stan was wrapping up his CPA education, Deloitte launched a new AI and data team and sought curious, tech-savvy minds to join. Stan raised his hand, and his career leapt into the future.

From money to data

Stan’s first thought: What does a CPA even do in the world of AI?

“I don’t know how to code. Sure, I’m very nerdy, and I like to learn things on my own, but I don’t see the exact value that I can provide,” he thought.

A mentor reframed it for him. “Accountants use established procedures to manage money securely—processes for tracking, detailed understanding of movement, and clear rules for approval,” says Stan. “These same robust accounting principles and practices can be directly translated to data. The act of replacing ‘money’ with ‘data’ allows an accountant to apply their existing expertise in a new domain, making them highly valuable as a data governance expert.”

Instead of trying to become a full-stack developer overnight, Stan leaned into his CPA foundation. “You can always learn the tech stuff,” he says. “But having a foundation in business gives you a massive advantage.”

For Stan, the future of accounting will be applying traditional skills in new ways. “That’s the massive opportunity for future CPAs,” he says. “Find what matters to you. Innovation happens in every field—sustainability, construction, and even gaming—but you still need someone to explain all the nuances to businesspeople. That’s the power of the

CPA designation.” Today, as a leader in AI and data delivery at Deloitte Canada, he works with clients across industries to implement generative AI—all from his home office in Edmonton, often within reach of a virtual reality headset or gaming console.

Gaming, curiosity, and agility

Stan’s passion for tech started young. “Growing up, I was the video game nerd…but I didn’t see a way to make a job of it,” he says.

He followed his curiosity and developed what he now sees as the most critical trait for CPAs entering the AI age: his ability to adapt, learn, and unlearn in constantly changing times, what he calls the agility quotient (AQ). In Stan’s view, AQ is becoming the new EQ: an essential skillset for navi- gating disruption and staying future ready.

Stan sums up AI’s impact with the 80/20 rule: “We’ve always spent 80 per cent of our time gathering information or pre- paring things so we can provide 20 per cent of the value.” AI flips that equation. Suddenly, the prep work is automated, and you can focus on thinking, analyzing, and making decisions. “That’s the real value an accounting designation provides,” Stan says.

And, of course, the question on everyone’s mind: will AI replace accounting jobs? Stan doesn’t think so. “It’s not AI that’s going to replace people,” he says. “It’s people using AI who will replace those who aren’t….You have to embrace the scary moments, and if you do, there’s a lot of really exciting stuff that comes out of it.”

AI isn’t about replacing CPAs, it’s about redefining what it means to be one. By combining tech-savviness with strong business judgment, CPAs are uniquely positioned to lead through uncertainty.

“I don’t call myself lazy anymore. I’ve been coached out of that,” Stan says with a laugh. “I call myself efficient now.”

How to build your tech muscles

If you’re wondering how to start building AI and tech skills without learning how to code, Stan’s advice is to keep it SAFE:

Stay curious: Use AI in your everyday life. Ask ChatGPT for recipe ideas. Get Google Gemini to help write a party invitation. It’s low stakes, so you learn without pressure.

Ask questions: If you don’t understand it, someone else probably doesn’t either.

Find balance: Don’t default to high tech. Sometimes the old-school way still works better and brings out your authentic self.

Embrace discomfort: Be okay with messing up. Change is hard. Learning is awkward. That’s part of the process.