The Impact of Blockchain Technology and Artificial Intelligence on Accounting and Auditing: Challenges and Opportunities

In recent decades, emerging technologies, especially blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), have brought about extensive changes in the traditional structures of financial industries, including accounting and auditing. Blockchain, with its features such as transparency, immutability, and decentralization, has enabled the recording and storage of financial data in a secure and tamper-proof manner. On the other hand, artificial intelligence, relying on machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, has been able to automate many complex and time-consuming processes in accounting and auditing and significantly increase the accuracy of data analysis. With the aim of comprehensively examining the impact of these two transformative technologies on the fields of accounting and auditing, this article first explains the key concepts and related theoretical frameworks, and then analyzes their practical applications, benefits, challenges, and limitations of implementation in financial environments. The findings show that the combination of blockchain and AI can increase transparency, reduce fraud, improve audit quality, and improve financial decision-making. However, challenges such as weak technology infrastructure, lack of skilled labor, legal complexities, and security considerations also exist, which, if ignored, can prevent the full exploitation of these technologies. The conclusion of the article emphasizes that the successful adoption and implementation of these technologies in the accounting and auditing profession requires a strategic perspective, upgrading the technical knowledge of accountants and auditors, and a review of existing financial and auditing regulations. Future research should also focus on developing local frameworks and international standards for integrating AI and blockchain into financial systems.