iscover Record number of finalists revealed for Australian AI Awards
BusinessNumerous AI innovators in the accounting profession have become finalists at the prestigious Australian AI Awards 2026.
Powered by Momentum Media, the third annual Australian AI Awards is poised to have its biggest year so far, with a record 305 finalists.
These include 10 accounting businesses nominated in the AI Innovator – Accountancy Services category, as well as one accounting professional who has become a finalist in the AI Consultancy of the Year – SME category.
Finalists include representatives from the ATO, Grant Thornton, BDO, PwC Australia, and many more.
Momentum Media received a whopping 744 submissions this year across 10 individual and 27 group categories. The highest-scoring individual winner will walk away with the coveted Excellence Award trophy at this year’s black-tie ceremony.
Click here to view the full list of finalists.
Other finalists on the shortlist include AI innovators in accountancy services, cyber security, banking, human resources, the industrial sector, information technology, legal practices, and aerospace, as well as academics and researchers, rising stars, and AI leaders in SMEs, start-ups, and enterprises.
AI adoption has surged in recent years, particularly with the availability of generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
Indeed, Australian Bureau of Statistics research found that almost half of businesses reported embracing new technologies like AI to boost efficiency.
AI adoption was the highest for businesses in information, media and telecommunications (38 per cent), professional, scientific and technical services, and financial and insurance services (both 24 percent) in 2024–25.
In this environment, where businesses are pioneering innovative uses of AI, the Australian AI Awards recognises professionals, organisations, and solutions that have transformed the Australian economy across the accounting profession, as well as banking, law, defence, aerospace, mortgage broking, and cyber.
The awards celebrate individuals and businesses that developed and used innovative AI solutions to grow their businesses and provide national recognition to professionals and organisations. An Australian AI award signals to organisations, investors, boards, and clients that your work meets the highest national standard.
Winning an award could strengthen the profile of professionals and organisations, boost credibility and trust with clients, colleagues, and the wider profession, create opportunities for career progression, and help them distinguish themselves from others and gain a competitive edge in the accounting profession and industry.
How winners are chosen
The Australian AI Awards, in conjunction with event stakeholders Momentum Media and a panel of leading AI professionals, involves a robust awards methodology to assess and benchmark Australian professionals and businesses pioneering the use of AI.
Momentum Media applies an independent, rigorous, and transparent judging process, ensuring that every winner earns their place on merit.
At least three judges with relevant accounting expertise review each submission independently. Judges score against the published criteria for each category. The panel draws from industry, academia, and government, and no sitting judge may assess a category in which they have a conflict of interest.
The full judging panel convenes to review scores, discuss leading submissions, and reach consensus on winners and finalists in each category. Where scores are tied, the panel chair facilitates discussion to reach a determination.
The winners will be announced on Friday, 30 October 2026 at a glittering black-tie gala ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.
Click here to buy your tickets now for the awards ceremony and don’t miss out!
For more information about the awards program, click here.
To view the full list of finalists, click here.
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