How Prompt Engineering Opens New Opportunities for Accountants: Insights from Mark Wickersham - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 76

Prompt Engineering - the Vital New Accounting Skillset

Published on: 15th July, 2024

Is AI reshaping the accounting world? How can accountants harness the power of ChatGPT through prompt engineering?

Rob Brown sits down with Mark Wickersham, an expert in prompt engineering and AI applications for the accounting industry. They discussed the world of ChatGPT, exploring its potential to revolutionize accounting practices and the crucial skill of prompt engineering.

Mark Wickersham shares his journey with ChatGPT, emphasizing the importance of asking better questions to get better answers. He introduces the concept of prompt engineering as a vital communication skill in the AI era. 

The discussion covers various aspects of crafting effective prompts, from specifying roles and formats to considering the intended audience. Wickersham also provides practical examples of how accountants can leverage ChatGPT for tasks ranging from financial analysis to content creation, highlighting the tool's potential to dramatically increase productivity and enhance client services.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prompt engineering is essentially communication with AI systems 
  • Good prompts include specifying roles, response formats, and audience considerations 
  • ChatGPT can be used for financial analysis, research, and business advisory in accounting firms 
  • Mastering prompt engineering can save hours of work and open new opportunities for accountants 
  • It's not AI that will replace accountants, but how competitors use AI that may make others irrelevant

View this episode in video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KTS58DjGvsg

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.