Digital Technology Hegemony On The Role Of Accounts
Diyah Probowulan
1
, Rendy Mirwan Aspirandi
2
diyahprobowulan@unmuhjember.ac.id
1
, rendymirwanaspirandi@unmuhjember.ac.id
2
Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember, Karimata Street Number 49 Jember
1
,
Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember, Karimata Street Number 49 Jember
2
Abstract. Science and technology have substantially changed human culture and behavior. Digital
hegemony of technology greatly affects the need for human labor which is starting to be replaced by
technology. The concept paper aims to discuss the changing role of accountants over time along with the
occurrence of digital technology hegemony from what used to be a lot of clerical accounting jobs to jobs that
require more judgment, discretion, innovation/creation, and are more strategic. Indeed, repetitive,
mechanistic, predictable and uncomplicated work has been and will continue to be replaced by the role of
machines, computers and robots. Likewise in the context of auditing. Even machines, computers, or robots
that have been programmed with artificial intelligence will not be able to perform as well as a professional
accountant. Technology will never be able to replace it. The work of accountants shifted to matters closely
related to judgment and discretion, and the accounting profession had to broaden its expertise.
Keywords: Hegemony, Digital Technology, Role of Accountants, Concept Paper.
1 Introduction
Science has progressed over the decades, creating eras such as the Ancient Greek era, the Middle Ages,
the Modern Age, and the Contemporary Age, [1]. Philosophy, which was originally more mythological in
nature, has now developed into a science that covers various fields. Science, in its current development to its
derivatives to the development of digital technology, is more than just a means to support human life. Science
and technology have now become something substantial, part of self-esteem (prestige) and myth, which will
ensure the survival of a nation, a prerequisite for achieving progress (progress) and excellence or hegemony
(power) needed in globalization. Science and technology, in its substantive position, have touched many aspects
of life, and consequently changed human culture and behavior. Currently the phenomenon of change is
occurring in our society which is undergoing a transition period to the digital era of technology.
For this reason, the presence of a philosophy of science is needed in the midst of the development of
digital technology which is marked by the sharpening of scientific specialization. Because by studying the
philosophy of science, we will become aware of its limitations and will not be trapped in intellectual arrogance.
What is more needed is an attitude of self-disclosure, so that we can greet each other and direct all of our
scientific potential for the benefit of mankind. Science and technology issues require consideration of
epistemology, ontology, and axiology, and these dimensions can sometimes have an impact on the process of
further development of science and technology.
In recent years, the influence of technological developments on the role of professions and jobs has
significantly reduced the role of human labor in doing these jobs. The main reason is related to the development
of information technology, robots, computerization, and other automations that are more controlled and
efficient. Borrowing research results from [2] that the impact of digital technology on the industrial revolution
4.0 will result in 52.6 million types of jobs moving or disappearing from the face of the earth over the next five
(5) years Accountants are one of the professions that are expected to become extinct. And it is undeniable that
some of the work of the accounting profession has begun to be taken over, replaced by technology. This shows
that automatic journaling, accounting software, and the current reality of accounting have been widely studied
by the non-accounting community, so that simple accounting jobs do not require an accountant graduate from
college, and the reality of accounting has now been widely studied by the non-accounting community.
accountancy. The digital hegemony of this technology raises the question what about the accounting profession?
Is this estimate correct? Many parties immediately confirmed the findings of the study because some of
the accountants' roles had been replaced by the role of technology (information). Others may disagree with these
findings. For example, according to [3], job change does not disappear. This statement can be interpreted in two
ways. The first is the shift of the profession away from many clerical jobs and towards jobs that are more
discretionary, strategic, or based on discretion within the accounting profession itself. The second factor is the
changes that have taken place, which have resulted in a reduced role and need for accountants in the workplace,
forcing them to move to other occupations or industries.
Based on the phenomena discussed above, the concept of this paper discusses the changing role of
accountants from time to time, as well as the occurrence of digital technology hegemony from previously many
clerical accounting jobs to jobs that require more judgment, wisdom, innovation/creation, and are more
ICBAE 2022, August 10-11, Purwokerto, Indonesia
Copyright © 2022 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.10-8-2022.2320907