New Plooto survey finds the profession heading into the year optimistic, with technology and automation ranking ahead of new hires as the way to take on more work.
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2026 – Canadian accountants and bookkeepers are heading into 2027 expecting growth, and more of them plan to invest in technology and automation than in new staff. As discussion continues over AI’s impact on Canadian jobs, the findings point to a profession looking to technology to take on more work with existing teams.
The findings come from Preparing for 2027: How Canadian accountants and bookkeepers plan to grow, automate, and put AI to work, a new report from Plooto, the payment automation platform built for Canada, helping accountants, bookkeepers, and their clients streamline financial workflows.
The most tech-forward are the most optimistic
Conducted in the early fall of 2026, the survey of 500+ Canadian accountants and bookkeepers found that 81% expect their business to grow in 2027, including one in four (25%) who expect significant growth of 20% or more.
Six in 10 (60%) feel positive about the Canadian economy, while only 19% expect conditions to worsen.
The results also show that AI has moved quickly from headline to everyday tool. More than half (56%) already use AI in their regular work, and 64% say they’re likely to invest further in 2027.
The economic optimism isn’t evenly spread, however. Respondents who already use AI across several core workflows or who have rebuilt their operations around it are the most confident group in the survey:
- 93% expect growth in 2027, compared with 52% of those not using AI at all.
- 80% feel positive about the economy, compared with 29% of non-users.
- 93% plan to invest further in AI next year, compared with 12% of non-users.
- Payroll processing (43%)
- Bank and account reconciliation (39%)
- Invoice and bill data entry (39%)
- Client payment approvals (38%)
- Tax remittances and CRA payments (35%)
Accuracy and security lead the concerns, ahead of cost
AI adoption still comes with caution. The accuracy and reliability of AI outputs (40%) and data security and client confidentiality (37%) are the top factors shaping how respondents adopt AI.
Technology investments outrank hiring plans
Acquiring new clients is the top priority for 2027 (46%), followed by investing in technology and automation (39%) and marketing and business development (38%). Hiring or expanding staff ranks sixth of eight priorities (31%).
The gap widens among those focused on winning new clients: among those expecting to grow in 2027, 68% did not list hiring as a priority. The data points to creating capacity, not investing in headcount, as the lever.
Business development, technology adoption and operational efficiency are the top areas respondents want to improve, and a third (34%) are prioritizing better work-life balance for their teams.
Rather than adding expensive staff, accountants and bookkeepers are looking to technology to increase capacity without stretching people thinner. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) want to automate at least one core payments workflow in 2027.
The top areas they want to automate include:
The survey also reveals that clients are ready to follow their lead when it comes to technology. Among firm owners and partners, 89% say clients are open to their software recommendations, and only 6% describe clients as resistant.
“Canadian accountants and bookkeepers are heading into 2027 with real ambition, and what stands out is how they plan to get there,” said John McLane, CEO of Plooto. “Among those expecting to grow, more than two-thirds didn’t list hiring as a priority. They’re looking to create capacity in the work they already do, and payments are a natural place to start. Bill entry, approvals, remittances and reconciliation repeat every month, which makes them the fastest place to see results from automation and give time back to the team.”
The full report, including advice from respondents and a 2027 checklist for getting started, is available to download at plooto.com/2027report.
Methodology
In September 2026, Plooto surveyed 518 Canadian accountants and bookkeepers working in accounting firms and in-house finance roles at organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
About Plooto
Plooto is the all-in-one payment automation platform that helps accountants and bookkeepers — and the SMBs they serve — streamline financial workflows in one secure, easy-to-use solution. With automated workflows, built-in controls, and seamless accounting software integration, Plooto reduces manual work, minimizes risk, and eliminates costly human errors. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Toronto, Plooto serves over 14,000 businesses across North America and integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite for effortless reconciliation. Learn more at plooto.com.
