AI Native Accounting Foundation Launches to Cut AI Hype

New nonprofit aims to help accounting and finance professionals move past hype and into practical AI implementations.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The AI Native Accounting Foundation has announced its launch as an independent nonprofit focused on helping accounting and finance professionals move beyond AI hype and into concrete practical implementations of the technology. The organization was founded by Kacee Johnson, former VP of strategy and innovation at CPA.com, and Bebe Kim, former CEO of finance platform Basis. The foundation plans to focus on education, research, scholarships, and an awards program to recognize firms and practitioners making measurable progress with AI.

Why it matters

The launch of the AI Native Accounting Foundation comes at a time when accounting and finance professionals are facing increasing pressure to adopt AI technologies, but are often overwhelmed by the hype and unsure of how to implement the technology effectively. The foundation aims to provide a neutral platform for open dialogue, shared learning, and showcasing real-world examples of successful AI adoption.

The details

The AI Native Accounting Foundation was started by Kacee Johnson, former VP of strategy and innovation at CPA.com, and Bebe Kim, former CEO of finance platform Basis. Johnson will serve as the executive director, while Kim will be the director. The two began the organization out of a need for a space to have "honest dialogue, shared learning and visible examples of what AI adoption looks like inside modern accounting, tax, audit, advisory, and finance teams." The foundation is structured to remain independent and vendor-neutral, with Digits as the founding sponsor but no plans to promote specific products.

  • The AI Native Accounting Foundation announced its launch on February 11, 2026.
  • Nominations for the AI Native Accounting Awards are open now and close on April 15, 2026.
  • The awards will be presented on the main stage at the Scaling New Heights Conference, taking place June 14-16, 2026, in Orlando, FL.

The players

Kacee Johnson

Former vice president of strategy and innovation at CPA.com and currently a principal at AI-focused advisory firm Be Radical. She will serve as the executive director of the AI Native Accounting Foundation.

Bebe Kim

Former CEO of finance platform Basis, which was acquired by Digits in 2024. She will serve as the director of the AI Native Accounting Foundation.

Digits

The founding sponsor of the AI Native Accounting Foundation, a finance technology company.

Amy Vetter

CEO of The B3 Method Institute and a member of the AI Advisory Council for the AI Native Accounting Foundation.

Joe Woodard

CEO of Woodard Consulting Group and a member of the AI Advisory Council for the AI Native Accounting Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“We're living in two realities at the same time. In one, AI is moving incredibly fast. Workflows are changing, tools are being implemented, and the way people work is shifting in real time. In the other, there's a real overwhelm. Leaders are trying to separate hype from progress, and I think we can help to surface these real polarities.”

— Kacee Johnson, Executive Director, AI Native Accounting Foundation (accountingtoday.com)

“This isn't just an accounting conversation. Tax, audit, advisory, and finance leaders are facing the same systems-level changes. The Foundation exists to surface real examples and create shared understanding — not theory, not marketing, but lived experience.”

— Bebe Kim, Director, AI Native Accounting Foundation (accountingtoday.com)

What’s next

The AI Native Accounting Foundation plans to develop industry research on model data and performance benchmarking in the third or fourth quarter of 2026. They are also working to finalize the criteria and structure for a scholarship program, which they expect to launch and award by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The launch of the AI Native Accounting Foundation represents a proactive effort by accounting and finance professionals to move beyond the hype and marketing around AI and focus on the practical, real-world implementation of the technology. By providing education, research, scholarships, and an awards program, the foundation aims to help the industry adopt AI responsibly and effectively, ultimately building stronger firms, better outcomes, and long-term trust in an AI-enabled future.