You’re either going to automate or you’re going to hire more people.
There is no third option.
The business graveyard is full of companies that clung to manual processes because “that’s how we’ve always done it.” They didn’t die because AI took their jobs. They died because they refused to adapt.
One of the hot topics these days is whether AI will wipe out a massive number of white-collar jobs.
The short answer? No, it won’t.
Why not?
Because automation has been happening for centuries — and people are still working. Not just in manual or service jobs, either.
Take aviation as an example:
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In the 1800s, there were no pilots.
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In the 1950s, were there proportionately more pilots or fewer than today in 2025? Clearly fewer.
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Are airplanes more automated and computerized now than in 1955? Absolutely.
Automation didn’t kill the airline industry — it helped it explode. It enabled more flights, more routes, more passengers, and more jobs.
The same principle applies today. Automation doesn’t destroy opportunity — it destroys complacency. If you don’t keep up, you get left behind.
The Accounting Example
In just the past 15 years, we’ve seen accounting software evolve to:
- Pull all the details from source documents and even suggest where to post transactions.
- Pay all bills online — no more cheque printing or mailing.
- Reconcile banks daily through automated feeds.
- Integrate operational software directly into accounting systems.
- Route bills to department heads on their smartphones for quick approval.
Has this wiped out accounting jobs? No.
It’s shifted the skill set. Today’s accountants need more focus, more adaptability, and stronger critical thinking. Those who embraced the changes thrived. Those who didn’t? Marginalized and sidelined — just like buggy whip makers when the car came along.
Automate or Hire — Pick One
If you run a business, here’s the real question:
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Can this process be automated?
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Is there cloud software I can buy to do it?
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Can I connect my operational data directly to my accounting system?
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If no off-the-shelf solution exists, can I hire someone to build it?
If you choose not to automate — or think it’s too expensive — then you have no choice but to hire people.
Now compare the costs. Is it more expensive to bring on more staff, or to invest, say, $30–$50K in software that eliminates bottlenecks and stops duplicate data entry?
Data duplication is one of the biggest wastes in any business. Every time the same data is keyed in twice, error rates go up. That’s not theory — it’s a law of averages.
How to Fix It
- Ensure accuracy at the source. Hold the person entering data accountable for getting it right the first time.
- Validate at the managerial level. Don’t just trust the input — verify it.
Do this across all your data flows, and errors drop dramatically.
The Payoff
Run the numbers. A one-time $50K investment in automation can pay for itself in less than a year compared to the ongoing cost of a full-time data-entry hire. And unlike a human hire, automation doesn’t take sick days, quit, or need training every six months.
The bottom line: Automate where you can. Hire where you must. But don’t waste money doing what software can do better, faster, and more accurately.
Thanks for reading…