AI is rapidly integrating into everyday life and transforming how organizations learn, work, and manage information. For nonprofits, these technologies build on traditional automation by enabling more advanced capabilities—from machine learning that identifies patterns to generative and agentic AI that can reason, automate workflows, and deliver conversational analysis across multiple systems. As AI evolves, it offers nonprofits new ways to interpret data, streamline processes, and make more informed decisions in support of their missions.

Nonprofits and accountants alike are adopting AI for tasks such as data entry, research, grant writing, invoice processing, financial forecasting, and fraud detection. But with opportunity comes responsibility: many organizations lack clear AI strategies or acceptable use policies. To safeguard sensitive information and remain compliant with standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR, nonprofits must choose secure enterprise tools, configure systems properly, maintain strong policies, consult legal experts, and assess the risk level of each AI use case—from low-risk brainstorming to high-risk automated decision-making.

Ethical considerations—including bias, environmental impact, and the need for human oversight—must guide AI adoption. Nonprofit leaders can navigate this shift by establishing clear guidelines, aligning AI use with mission and values, and regularly evaluating outcomes for staff and stakeholders. Getting started begins with identifying repetitive or judgment-heavy tasks, selecting secure tools within existing systems, and training teams to use AI effectively and responsibly.

To learn more about this topic, please consider attending Member Appreciation Day (register here). COCPA Preferred Partner, Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC) will be presenting "How AI is Changing Automation" on Dec. 18.

To read the full post click here. To learn more about YPTC, please visit the COCPA Preferred Partner Page.