Tech Innovation Awards – Part 1 – The Accounting Technology Lab Podcast – Nov. 2025 – CPA Practice Advisor

Report on Tax Technology Innovations and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes emerging technologies in tax compliance, as highlighted by the 2025 CPA Practice Advisor Tax and Accounting Technology Innovation Awards. The analysis focuses on the significant contributions these innovations make toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in fostering innovation, promoting decent work, and building strong institutions.

Analysis of Innovations and SDG Alignment

Fostering Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The reviewed technologies demonstrate a significant leap in industry innovation, primarily through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). This evolution represents a fundamental upgrade to the technological infrastructure of the accounting and tax profession. The transition of AI from a novel concept to a baseline requirement, or “table stakes,” for tax research platforms signifies a commitment to building a more resilient and technologically advanced industry. This aligns directly with SDG 9, which calls for building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

Enhancing Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The implementation of advanced AI tools is poised to transform the working conditions for tax professionals. By automating complex research and compliance monitoring, these technologies reduce excessive workloads and the need for a “seven day a week” work lifestyle during peak seasons. This shift promotes a healthier work-life balance and contributes to the goal of decent work for all. Furthermore, by enabling firms to provide more efficient and effective services, these tools support the financial health and compliance of businesses, thereby fostering sustained and inclusive economic growth, a core target of SDG 8.

Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Justice (SDG 16)

Effective, accountable, and transparent institutions are the bedrock of a just society. The tax technology platforms reviewed make a direct contribution to SDG 16 by enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of tax compliance. Tools that provide instant access to government data, offer authoritative citations for tax code, and allow for complex scenario analysis ensure that tax laws are applied correctly and equitably. This strengthens the rule of law and improves the operational integrity of public financial institutions.

Key Technological Platforms Reviewed

An evaluation of 39 nominated products identified several key platforms that exemplify the industry’s progress. The following tools were noted for their significant impact on tax compliance and their alignment with SDG principles.

Accordance

Accordance is an AI-powered platform designed for tax, audit, and accounting teams, contributing to SDG 16 by ensuring precise and just application of complex financial regulations.

• Provides tailored guidance with authoritative code context and citations instantly.
• Utilizes advanced prompt engineering, including the ability to simulate a government revenue enforcement perspective to identify and mitigate risks.
• Enhances the quality and reliability of tax research, supporting the function of strong and accountable financial systems.

Bloomberg Tax AI Assistant

This platform integrates generative AI into Bloomberg’s established research tool, advancing SDG 9 by making sophisticated technology more accessible and promoting innovation within the industry.

• Functions as an iterative, conversational research tool that securely stores chat history for continued analysis.
• Offered at no additional charge to existing subscribers, lowering barriers to adopting innovative technology.
• Features include cross-jurisdictional tax comparisons and a chart builder, which help professionals navigate complex international regulations and support transparent institutional practices (SDG 16).

TaxNow

TaxNow is a professional-focused platform that streamlines interactions with tax authorities and enhances compliance monitoring, directly supporting the development of effective and transparent institutions as outlined in SDG 16.

1. Instant IRS Access: Bypasses bureaucratic delays by providing direct access to client transcripts and data.
2. Continuous Monitoring: Offers daily updates and alerts on client tax accounts, ensuring ongoing compliance.
3. Comprehensive Compliance Tools: Includes features such as IRS compliance checks, a live tax refund and payment tracker, and year-over-year analytics to ensure transparency and accuracy.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The innovations in tax technology are fundamentally reshaping the accounting profession. The integration of AI is no longer a future prospect but a current reality that enhances efficiency, improves professional well-being, and strengthens the integrity of financial systems. These advancements are critical contributors to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The continued development and adoption of these tools will raise the standard for tax compliance, fostering a more just, innovative, and sustainable economic environment.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article discusses technological innovations that enhance productivity and efficiency in the accounting profession. By automating and improving tasks like tax research and compliance, these tools allow professionals to be more effective, contributing to economic productivity. The mention of achieving a better “work-life balance” also connects directly to the “decent work” aspect of this goal.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire discussion is centered on the “2025 CPA Practice Advisor Tax and Accounting Technology Innovation Awards” and reviews new, innovative AI-powered tools. The article highlights how technology is upgrading the accounting industry, focusing on research, development, and the adoption of new platforms like Accordance, Bloomberg Tax AI Assistant, and Tax Now.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The article connects to this goal by discussing tools that improve the efficiency and transparency of tax compliance and resolution. Effective and transparent tax systems are fundamental to strong public institutions. Tools that provide “instant IRS access,” “continuous tax account monitoring,” and clear, authoritative research help create a more efficient and accountable relationship between taxpayers, their representatives, and government revenue agencies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article is a clear example of this target, as it details how AI-powered tools are a significant technological upgrade for the accounting industry. The statement, “if you’re not using some kind of AI, some kind of AI engine, in your tax research, I think you’re working way too hard,” directly points to increasing productivity through technology.
   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The discussion about achieving “work-life balance” through the use of these new technologies relates to promoting a healthier and more secure working environment for accounting professionals, potentially reducing burnout during busy seasons.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending. The article is a showcase of innovation and technological upgrades in the accounting sector. It reviews multiple products that are changing how tax research and compliance are performed, stating that AI in tax research has moved from being “innovative” to “now table stakes.”

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The tools described in the article contribute to this target by streamlining interactions with tax authorities. For example, the “Tax Now” tool provides “instant IRS access,” “continuous tax account monitoring,” and access to “10 years worth of transcripts,” which increases the efficiency and transparency of the tax compliance process for both professionals and the institutions they interact with.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 8 Targets:

   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.2: Adoption rate of AI-powered research and compliance tools within the accounting profession. The entire article serves as an encouragement for professionals to adopt these new technologies to improve their workflow, implying that their adoption is a key metric of progress.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.8: Reduction in overtime hours or improvement in professional well-being surveys. The hope that technology will help in “losing the seven day a week life’s work lifestyle during busy times” suggests that a measurable outcome would be improved work-life balance.

2. For SDG 9 Targets:

   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.5: The number of new technology products developed and launched for the accounting industry. The article is based on a review of “39 tools” nominated for an innovation award, which itself is an indicator of the high level of innovation and R&D activity in this sector.

3. For SDG 16 Targets:

   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.6: Time required to access client tax records and resolve compliance issues. The features of the “Tax Now” product, such as “instant IRS access” and “daily updates and alerts,” directly imply that progress can be measured by the speed and ease with which professionals can manage their clients’ tax compliance, making the process more efficient.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: cpapracticeadvisor.com