KPMG Starts Tax AI Accelerator Program

Why It Matters

The program bridges the gap between AI technology and tax expertise, enabling faster, compliant automation and reducing talent shortages. It positions participating firms to gain operational efficiencies and strategic insights ahead of peers.

Key Takeaways

• KPMG offers AI sandbox via Azure OpenAI.
• Duke Energy among first dozen participants.
• Program teaches prompt engineering and responsible AI.
• “Think, Prompt, Check” framework now client‑available.
• 86% tax leaders view AI filling talent gaps.

Pulse Analysis

The tax function is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, driven by generative AI tools that can automate data extraction, risk analysis, and compliance reporting. Recent surveys show more than half of corporate tax departments already experimenting with large‑language models, while 86 % of tax leaders believe AI can mitigate talent shortages. However, the speed of adoption has outpaced the development of internal expertise, creating a gap between technology availability and practical, responsible use. Firms that invest in structured upskilling are poised to capture efficiency gains and strategic insights before competitors.

KPMG’s Tax AI Accelerator Program directly addresses that gap by pairing technical training with real‑world tax scenarios. Participants receive a customized instance of the Digital Gateway platform, a secure sandbox built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI that isolates sensitive data while allowing teams to prototype prompts, develop AI agents, and test compliance use cases. The curriculum covers prompt engineering, persona creation, and KPMG’s “Think, Prompt, Check” methodology, reinforced through CPE‑eligible workshops and personalized check‑ins. Early adopters such as Duke Energy are already piloting the environment, demonstrating how a controlled rollout can accelerate AI integration without exposing risk.

The broader impact extends beyond immediate cost savings. By embedding AI fluency within tax departments, companies can free senior staff for higher‑value analysis, improve audit defensibility, and uncover new revenue opportunities through predictive insights. Moreover, a disciplined approach to responsible AI builds stakeholder confidence and aligns with emerging regulatory expectations. As more firms replicate KPMG’s model, the market may see a shift toward standardized AI governance frameworks in tax, driving industry‑wide productivity gains and reshaping the talent landscape for the next decade.

KPMG Starts Tax AI Accelerator Program

February 10, 2026 · CPA Practice Advisor

Big Four accounting firm KPMG last week launched the Tax AI Accelerator Program, designed to help corporate tax departments build practical artificial‑intelligence skills and integrate generative AI into daily operations.

The Tax AI Accelerator Program combines technical training with practical tax application, led by instructors who are both technologists and experienced tax professionals.

Brian Savoy

KPMG said Fortune 150 company Duke Energy is one of more than a dozen organizations participating in the program.

“Our industry is seeing significant growth, and we’ve laid a strong technical and data foundation to use AI to drive broader value for our many stakeholders,” Brian Savoy, CFO of Duke Energy, a Charlotte, NC‑based electric power and natural‑gas holding company, said in a statement on Feb. 3. “At Duke Energy, we believe AI’s greatest potential is not just delivering smarter information and compliance but empowering our teammates with the insights to lead in digital transformation, make a greater strategic impact, and uncover new opportunities for our customers, communities, and shareholders.”

According to KPMG, here’s how the program works: each participating organization receives a custom deployment of KPMG’s Digital Gateway platform, built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI. Digital Gateway provides a secure, private “sandbox” environment where tax teams can experiment with AI tools, test use cases against real compliance challenges, and scale what works—without exposing sensitive data.

The Tax AI Accelerator Program offers

• Hands‑on training in prompt engineering, persona and agent development, and responsible AI use.

• Application of KPMG’s “Think, Prompt, Check” framework—a proven approach used to upskill KPMG professionals, now available to clients.

• Real‑world use cases and compliance scenarios.

• Content tailored to each organization’s AI maturity and priorities.

• Guidance for fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.

• Access to CPE‑eligible workshops, inspiration sessions, and personalized check‑ins.

KPMG said the program is interactive and results‑driven. At the conclusion, participants come together to evaluate implementation efforts, share lessons learned, and address barriers to adoption. The final workshop focuses on mapping actionable next steps and strategies for deploying and sustaining AI solutions for the long term.

“More than half of tax departments are already using or exploring generative AI, and 86 % of tax leaders believe these tools will help address talent gaps,” Rema Serafi, vice chair of tax at KPMG, said in a statement. “But technology alone isn’t enough. The companies pulling ahead are the ones investing in their people—building the skills and judgment to use AI effectively. That’s what this program is designed to do.”

More information about KPMG’s Tax AI Accelerator Program can be found here.

Photo credit: John M. Chase / iStock

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